Few figures had as far of a reach in independent music as Steve Albini, who died at 61. As a musician, Albini influenced generations with his formative post-punk band Big Black and his ongoing band Shellac (which is releasing a new album next Friday). In the studio, he recorded and engineered hundreds of albums, from influential rock records like Nirvana’s In Utero and PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me to contemporary albums like Joanna Newsom’s Ys and Cloud Nothings’ Attack on Memory. Many admired Albini’s staunch independence in the music industry. Upon Albini’s death, Pixies, who recorded their 1988 album Surfer Rosa with Albini, honored him on social media. Cloud Nothings’ Dylan Baldi called Albini “a genuine, singular, principled person” in a tweet.
Many more indie bands and artists who looked up to Albini posted tributes, including Ratboys, Chat Pile, and Speedy Ortiz’s Sadie Dupuis, who said Albini “changed my worldview.” A number of independent record labels also honored Albini, including Don Giovanni Records, which called him “the last person in the music industry who actually mattered while maintaining a fierce code of ethics around their work.” And the guitarist Bill MacKay, who recorded at his studio Electrical Audio, remembered sharing “one unforgettable & hilarious Ramen dinner” with Albini. Below, more tributes to Albini.
RIP Steve Albini pic.twitter.com/qQjEQla0mF
— PIXIES (@PIXIES) May 8, 2024
steve touched countless lives and changed mine and many others for the better. a genuine, singular, principled person. spent the last 40 years helping people make art. there's no reason for him to be gone and the world is less interesting without him. just a really sad day.
— Cloud Nothings (@cloudnothings) May 8, 2024
I so much enjoyed his trail-blazing bands & talent, and recording songs at his great studio. I admired his fierce fight for justice and fairness, and had one unforgettable & hilarious Ramen dinner together. He'll never be forgotten.
Rest in Power, Steve Albini pic.twitter.com/EXaoCcFCGM
— Bill MacKay (@BillMacKay68) May 8, 2024
Can’t believe this. Steve Albini was one of our heroes and one of the reasons we feel so proud of be a part of the Chicago music community.. sending love to his family and friends and holding his records close forever. Can’t believe it https://t.co/NbtpNhjX6a
— Ratboys (@Ratboysband) May 8, 2024
grateful to have seen steve albini play, to have my taste in music shaped by the incredible records he performed & engineered, & for his thoughts on recording and its business, which changed my worldview. getting to meet him & check out electrical was a top 10 moment for me. RIP
— speedy ortiz ÷ sad13 ÷ sadie dupuis ÷ haunted guy (@sad13) May 8, 2024
No singular artist’s body of work has had an impact on me more than that of Steve Albini. Incredibly thankful that the world had him while it did, we’re all better off because of it. RIP
— Chat Pile (@ChatPileBand) May 8, 2024
every time we ran into Albini it was always glancing or a surprise. i don’t know if he did this for all the sessions at electrical, but last fall we arrived to record some demos (not with him), and found a dozen doughnuts with a note “from Steve.” it absolutely made our day. pic.twitter.com/kiAGMvIzzh
— Ganser ???? (@Ganserband) May 8, 2024
I'm saddened to learn of the death of Steve Albini. Like so many, I loved his firebreathing Big Black records as a teenager. I met him briefly at Jason Noble's memorial service and found him to be a kind and thoughtful person. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
— DREW DANIEL (@DDDrewDaniel) May 8, 2024
RIP Steve Albini. The Trash Talk S/T LP was a very raw time for us as a band. You welcomed us in with open arms for that session. I’ll never forget that week. ????????
— Lee Spielman (@LeeSpielman) May 8, 2024
Extremely saddened to hear of Steve Albini’s death ????
— Litvrgy (@LITVRGY) May 8, 2024
Steve Albini was the last person in the music industry that actually mattered while maintaining a code of ethics around their work.
You were so generous with your time Steve and I am going to miss you so much. Thank you for everything. ????
— Don Giovanni Records (@DonGiovanniRecs) May 8, 2024
RIP to Steve Albini, a wizard who would hate being called a wizard, but who surely made magic.
Here's the Electric Audio layout for 'Magnolia Electric Co', just sketched out simply, on paper, like it's not poised to shift time and space and all our hearts. pic.twitter.com/u1PRGrpi2M
— Secretly Canadian (@secretlycndian) May 8, 2024
I don't know what to say about Steve Albini's passing. He had a brilliant mind, was a great artist and underwent the most remarkable and inspiring personal transformation. I can't believe he's gone.
— Michael Azerrad (@michaelazerrad) May 8, 2024
i once snuck into First Avenue to borrow a keyboard stand, only to stumble on a Shellac soundcheck. Watched Albini, Bob Weston & Todd Trainer rip it. Last year we got to do a bunch of Primavera Fest shows w them & spend some time. Sending love and prayers to Albini Fam & Friends https://t.co/nUqzunsVvF
— STARCHILD (@thisisbryndon) May 8, 2024
Man, what awful news.
Love this man’s recording and all of his bands.
Sonically his drum sound was one of a kind.
Grew up on those Big Black albums and seeing Shellac play the tri-state area.R.I.P. Steve Albini
Thank you for your undeniable mark on music and recording. pic.twitter.com/zCXIKUJUC0— The Ataris (@theataris) May 8, 2024
I’m sad to hear that Steve Albini, the brilliant writer, producer and musician, has passed. pic.twitter.com/HdxGagsc3p
— Bruce Pavitt (@brucepavitt) May 8, 2024
An unfathomable loss, impossible to fully trace the profound impact he made on all of us, on the sound of music itself.
Thank you, Steve
— Polyvinyl Record Co. (@Polyvinyl) May 8, 2024
RIP to the legend Steve Albini. Hero to all of us. https://t.co/8wtcKGUaJn
— HEALTH (@_HEALTH_) May 8, 2024
The great Steve Albini has died. He engineered some of the greatest albums of all time. Here’s our 2015 talk in remembrance. Rest in heavy peace, Steve. https://t.co/4SadvtH6zG pic.twitter.com/MLGIiome7z
— marc maron (@marcmaron) May 8, 2024
Listening to this wonderful album in remembrance of its incredible producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Pixies) who passed away at only 61. RIP to one of the best. pic.twitter.com/KoIQQ0P6hY
— sean baker (@Lilfilm) May 8, 2024
Steve Albini greatest producer of alternative rock.. the original edgelord. Poker star par excelence & fan of various local vernaculars. Rip king pic.twitter.com/Rs0LIrN0Nm
— Robin Hatch (@robinhatch) May 8, 2024
???????? LOVE U STEVE ALBINI ???????? pic.twitter.com/H2IWlOCXts
— SARAH SQUIRM (@SarahSquirm) May 8, 2024
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- Steve Albini, Underground Rock Legend, Dead at 61
Justin Curto , 2024-05-08 21:26:08
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