#ThankYouSteveAlbini: A tireless advocate for musicians
Touch and Go Records is using the hashtag #ThankYouSteveAlbini to turn today, Monday, July 22, which would have been Steve Albini’s 62nd birthday, into a celebration and an opportunity to share memories about the late rock producer and artist advocate,
“Though we tragically lost Steve Albini on May 7, 2024, his indelible influence on music remains. Let’s turn his birthday, July 22nd, into a worldwide celebration to honor his life and legacy,” the indie label said in a request for fans and friends to flood social media with “stories and photos that capture the essence of Steve’s impact. Share pictures of his albums that shaped you, concert memories, or even handwritten notes that resonated deeply. If you were lucky enough to meet him, let’s see those photos!”
Albini was an inspiration, and in 2014, we were lucky enough to publish one of his essays.
Steve Albini On the Surprisingly Sturdy State of the Music Industry
Steve Albini, author of The Problem with Music, an essay published in 1993 challenging the efficiency and stability of the current music industry, delivered the keynote address Saturday at Melbourne’s Face the Music Conference where he did an about face on several of his previous prediction.
Albini applauded the internet’s role in re-structuring the music industry and addressing prior inefficiencies in a way that he believes will enhance and uphold the music industry moving forward.
ALSO: Read Steve Albini’s incredible letter to Nirvana waiving ‘In Utero’ royalties
While Steve Albini shepherded thousands of albums, he preferred being called an engineer rather than a producer. That self-imposed distinction offers a glimpse at the depth of Alnini’s character, but his letter to Nirvana took it to another level.
Prior to his passing last week, Albini was also one of the music industry’s most honest and vocal critics. He was, as this letter proves, uncorrupted by money or fame.
Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.
