As a punk and indie music nerd, it was inevitable that I would discover the music of Steve Albini, best known for his work in the Chicago-based bands Big Black and Shellac. But what I couldn't have known upon the first time I heard his EP "Racer X" was how much I would end up learning from his music, and from his experiences.
The first lesson he taught me was that it doesn't matter what you have in life, what matters is what you do with what you're given. This truth was presented to me when I first listened to "Atomizer," Big Black's debut record. It immediately pummels you with an unending sonic assault. The guitars sound like they have been thrown into a blender and taped back together before being fed to a fuzz pedal, with pounding, merciless drums threatening to blow your speakers, and crazed, frenzied vocals sounding like they might fall apart any second.
I was particularly taken by the drums. They sounded powerful and truly tie the track together. The peculiar thing about the drums is that they were programmed into a primitive drum machine. We might associate synthesized drums with epic bass drops but in 1986, the year of "Atomizer's" release, a drum machine sounded weak and artificial. But Steve Albini knew how to use this to his advantage, and so what would serve as a flaw for many other bands was used as a defining point of the band's sound. This instilled in me the message that sometimes we have no control over the hands that we are dealt, but we have control over how we react. We can let possible flaws drag us down, or we can use them to our advantage, and choose to rise above.
Recently, I read a letter written to the band Nirvana by Albini, regarding his hopes to produce their sophomore album, 1994's "In Utero." In the letter, he discusses his process for producing music and states several truths that I have taken to heart, in both my musical process and in life in general. I think his most important point is in regards to what he refers to as accidents and chaos. He states that he does not have an interest in making a record free of imperfections, as trying too hard to make everything perfect takes away what truly makes the music special. I have taken this to heart in my outlook on life.
Sometimes, things won't go according to plan. Sometimes, things will get messed up. But we shouldn't fear these moments, for they are what makes life beautiful. Don't fear the wrong turns, the incorrect guitar chord or the missed trains. For all problems, there are solutions and lessons to be learned.
Finally, Steve Albini taught me about respect. He currently works as a producer and recording engineer at Electrical Audio, a recording studio in Chicago. He has made it clear that in his line of work and his life, he will work with anybody who wishes to record with him, even if he doesn't like their music, and he will treat them with as much respect as if they were his favorite musician in the world, and this applies to anybody's life. Even if you have different ideas from somebody, even if you disagree with them, the least you can do is treat them with respect, even if you don't respect their ideas. In short, if you make the best of what you're given, don't sweat the imperfections, and treat everybody with respect; you might have an easier and more enjoyable time navigating this crazy world.
