Courtney Barnett Joins Michael Stipe, Iggy Pop & More For Velvet Underground & Nico Tribute Album

A stack of big name artists are paying tribute to the work of The Velvet Underground and Nico with a new album coming out later this year. 

Dubbed I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute To The Velvet Underground & Nico, artists will take on covers of the group's highly regarded 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico.

Australia's Courtney Barnett (who recently announced her third album Things Take Time, Take Time), takes on the tribute album's title track, I’ll Be Your Mirror, while REM's Michael Stipe covers Sunday Morning, The National's Matt Berninger shares I'm Waiting For The Man, Sharon Van Etten covers Femme Fatale with Angel Olsen on backing vocals and much more. 

Other artists to appear on the album include Iggy Pop with Matt Sweeney, Thurston Moore with Bobby Gillespie, King Princess, Fontaines DC, Andrew Bird & Lucius, and St Vincent with Thomas Bartlett. 

The album's first single, a cover of Run Run Run by Kurt Vile & The Violators, is out today. 

"I literally covered Run Run Run when I was a kid," shared Vile. "In my late teens with my band at the time. So it was pretty cosmic, let’s say. 

"There is a direct connection to certain indie bands and beyond with the Velvets. That’s why the Velvets are a classic. You know it can have doo-wop in there and things like that, but it can also have this jagged noisy thing, and it immediately let me feel like I could do anything. The possibilities are endless. You’re completely free. Unapologetic and effortless."

The I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute To The Velvet Underground & Nico project was overseen and produced by Lou Reed's friend and producer Hal Willner who passed away last year. 

"The Velvet Underground are a fundamental part of Verve’s history, and their fearless approach and musical integrity continue to inspire all of us at the label," said Jamie Krents, head of Verve Records - the label The Velvet Underground were signed with. 

"We were so lucky to partner with the late Hal Willner to pay tribute to the band’s iconic first album. It’s an absolute honour to have every one of these artists on a Verve recording and we hope this album finds a welcome place in the record collections of Velvet Underground fans new and old."

I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute To The Velvet Underground & Nico project is due for release on 24 September. Head here to find out more and check out Run Run Run below.

I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to the Velvet Underground & Nico Tracklisting

1. Sunday Morning – Michael Stipe (3:50)

2. I’m Waiting For The Man – Matt Berninger (3:44)

3. Femme Fatale – Sharon Van Etten (w/ Angel Olsen on backing vocals) (4:43)

4. Venus In Furs – Andrew Bird & Lucius (6:55)

5. Run Run Run – Kurt Vile & The Violators (6:59)

6. All Tomorrow’s Parties – St. Vincent & Thomas Bartlett (4:52)

7. Heroin – Thurston Moore feat. Bobby Gillespie (7:24)

8. There She Goes Again – King Princess (3:29)

9. I’ll Be Your Mirror – Courtney Barnett (2:27)

10. The Black Angel’s Death Song – Fontaines D.C. (3:12)

11. European Son – Iggy Pop & Matt Sweeney (7:45)