Steve Albini, the iconic recording engineer behind albums from the likes of Nirvana, Pixies, and PJ Harvey, has died at the age of 61 after suffering a heart attack, Pitchfork has reported.
One of indie rock’s most revered and enduring figures, Albini’s reputation as a master of his craft made him a figurehead for the underground scene, as well as a much sought after engineer for some of the biggest bands in the world. He famously recorded Nirvana’s final studio album In Utero, which caused much consternation amongst the band’s records label on account of its visceral punk rock sonic identity.
His work with the likes of Pixies (Surfer Rosa), The Breeders (Pod), PJ Harvey (Rid Of Me), and Manic Street Preachers (Journal For Plague Lovers) was also lauded for its raw sonic identity, particularly with regards to his approach to recording drums. This became something of staple of the so-called ‘Albini sound’.
He engineered – he always rejected the term ‘producer’ - hundreds of records throughout his career, keen at all times to play down his influence over the sound of the artist he was recording. “If you listen to the records I’m best known for and think that I’ve done a good job, what you’re hearing is what the band did,” he once told Headliner. I’m not in there playing or making that music. I’m making a recording that allows you to hear that as it was.”
Outside of his engineering work, Albini also fronted underground bands Shellac and Big Black, both of which were beloved by fans for their abrasive, uncompromising sound.
Headliner spoke with Albini about the 30th anniversary of In Utero, which you can read here, and just weeks ago spoke with him about the 10th anniversary of Manic Street Preachers Journal For Plague Lovers album, which you can listen to in full here.
Photos by Francesca Colasanti