Steve Albini Interview (Part 2 of 2) [Listen 17:33] – Nirvana, Fame And Dying In A Grease Fire With Steve Albini – S03 Ep05

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S03 Ep05 (Part2 of 2)- Nirvana, Fame And Dying In A Grease Fire With Steve Albini

Special Guest: Steve Albini is famous for his distinctive style, the music he has been a part of, and his anti-producer producing philosophy. His work speaks for itself, recording bands like Nirvana, the Pixies, Superchunk, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Helmet, PJ Harvey, Cheap Trick, Bonny “Prince” Billy, Jarvis Cocker, Sparklehorse and believe me when I say the list could go on. He has been a member of the bands Big Black, Rapeman, and Shellac. I first came across Steve Albini's name from reading Nirvana interviews around the time Nirvana was releasing their masterpiece “In Utero.” In those interviews, Kurt Cobain talked about how he wanted to follow up their mega-hit album “Nevermind” with the producer who recorded his favourite albums like “Surfa Rosa” by the Pixies and “Pod” by the Breeders. Albini’s style of engineering and producing has been described as “hands off,” or minimalist in its approach. He also is a person who prefers not to receive credit on the albums he has worked on, stating that he doesn't think it's right to be paid in perpetuity for something he took part in for only one day. Albini is also known for his integrity to the music, and has gained fame not only in music he put out but for his reasonable recording rates (charging affordable flat rates regardless of the bands' fame). He's clearly music fan and I am thrilled to have Steve Albini on the show.

In this podcast we talk about the Nirvana album In Utero and the controversy surrounding it, we get into the music of the Jesus Lizard, we talk about fame and success and it’s relationship to music as an art form, we get his opinion on where he thinks music is today.

Suicide - The Ultimate Sacrifice

Death is so...............final.

The loss of one’s life is by far the worst thing that could ever happen in one's life (excusing religion, nihilists, etc. but let's not make this a philosophical debate) Death - “the thing” to avoid at any cost. Yet we all know we all have death facing us at some point.* (*In my case this may never happen.) “Art” on the other hand could be seen as the benchmark - the highest form, manifestation of “Life.” Immortality through self expression- whether through an idea, a thought, or some universal feeling expressed – a connection with another human being outside of place or time. We as the listener are let into their world and given pieces of insight by that artist for us to digest. When suicide is involved it puzzles one’s mind. What does it mean when an artist we love takes their life?

Tons of questions come to mind that we wouldn’t otherwise think: was their death avoidable; is that any of my business; is there a deeper meaning to the music now; was fame too great for them; if the music moved me to me does that mean I myself could be closer to suicide than I think?

I remember Kurt Cobain’s death well. It was strange for me because unlike someone like Nick Drake who died back in 1974, Cobain was someone of my generation that I actually really dug. Nirvana’s music and Kurt Cobain’s art seemed to speak my language more than other music at the time.

When I first heard of his death, I remember seeing other people in a sense of shock over the news too. It was strange because for a brief window in time people connected with other people, sharing their shock and disbelief about his death. Seeing people crying and the media that surrounded it - I couldn't help but think, he would have got a kick out of the mayhem surrounding his death and touched by the genuine sadness over peoples reaction.

Today, like always with time thoughts soften and change. The 90’s are gone and I’m glad. I couldn't imagine going back to living pre-internet days. That said, it would have been cool to hear another Nirvana or Sparklehorse record or, better to have seen them live.

The list of great musical artists who have taken their own lives is a long one, sadly.** We thought we might pay tribute and highlight some of these tragic figures.

Kurt Cobain

Mark Linkous

Nick Drake

Wendy O. Williams

Vic Chesnutt

Darby Crash

Ian Curtis

Sid Vicious

Johnny Ace

-Jason Hoffer

**(and the list could go on) but I want to pay tribute without glorifying. See full list here if interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Musicians_who_committed_suicide