RIP Steve Albini

Published on May 8, 2024 by John Scalzi with 6 responses.

According to Pitchfork, Steve Albini, a well-known music producer in the indie music scene and someone who often challenged the norm in the music industry, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 61. If you were a fan of "alternative" music between the ages of 13 and 33 in the 80s and 90s, it's likely that Albini played a role in some of your favorite music from bands like Nirvana, PJ Harvey, and the Pixies. Albini was also a musician himself and led his own bands. Shellac, one of his bands, is said to be releasing a new album next week.

I didn't really know Albini very well, but we both used to hang out on Bluesky and chat on occasion. It was pretty cool to see someone who played an important role in the music scene that my generation took part in, just chilling and talking about the industry and culture in general. Albini had a reputation for being brutally honest about the music industry and how it negatively impacted nearly every band involved (his essay "The Problem With Music" is considered a must-read). He was also very aware of his privileged position as a white guy in the culture, recognizing how it benefited him in his youth and the importance of acknowledging that past and striving to be more equitable now. These days, that kind of self-awareness and honesty is pretty rare, so it's definitely something noteworthy.

Well, this situation is quite unfortunate and as someone who enjoys music, I feel disheartened. Additionally, having communicated with him online and appreciated his content, I'm also saddened. As I expressed on Bluesky, it's similar to learning about the unexpected passing of a neighbor. However, in this instance, the neighbor happened to be an immensely talented individual in their profession. They leave behind an impressive legacy.