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PJ Harvey, Veruca Salt and Bully share tributes to late collaborator Steve Albini

09 May 2024, 14:34 | Written by Tyler Damara Kelly

Yesterday, it was revealed that legendary producer, studio engineer and musician Steve Albini had died of a heart attack at the age of 61.

Steve Albini was notable for his work on legendary albums such as Nirvana’s In Utero, Pod by The Breeders, Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, Rid of Me by PJ Harvey, Things We Lost in the Fire by Low, and engineering many other albums. Tributes have come flooding in from his peers and collaborators.

"Meeting Steve Albini and working with him changed the course of my life," PJ Harvey shared. "He taught me so much about music, and life. Steve was a great friend - wise, kind and generous. I am so grateful." Meanwhile, Veruca Salt reflected on their experiences as his friend, writing: "Those of us who were lucky enough to call him a friend know that he was also incredibly sweet, sensitive, and generous. He was funny and smart as hell, an excellent cook, and a fiercely loyal defender of the people he loved."

Bully worked at Albini's recording studio Audio Electric. In her tribute, she dedicated her career to Albini and the time he took to mentor her: "The ethics behind the way that studio operates are so powerfully humanizing in a way that is completely foreign to this industry. I owe my career to Steve and that studio. Thank you for cultivating a space in which I genuinely felt respected, safe and comfortable enough to ask questions and grow."

In an extensive thread on X, formerly known as Twitter, Thurston Moore shared a tribute to his friend writing, "Steve Albini was a person of passion and contradiction", whilst black midi's Geordie Greep said of Albini, "He was exactly as he comes across - as articulate and no bullshit as anyone could ever be, and effortlessly brilliant at his craft".

No further statements have been shared on Albini's passing.

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