Steve Albini

Major record labels are in deep strife. One person shedding no tears is Steve Albini. ‘There won’t ever be a mass-market record industry again, and that’s fine with me,’ he’s said. ‘The industry didn’t operate for the benefit of the musicians or the audience, the only classes of people I care about.’

Albini has seen the machinations of the industry up close and from multiple vantage points: a veteran producer, audio engineer and musician, he’s worked with huge international acts including PJ Harvey, Nirvana and Pixies. Despite recording with some of the biggest names in the business, Albini has continued, throughout his career, to collaborate with countless obscure, experimental bands. He’s estimated to have worked on more than 1500 records.

On the eve of Meredith Music Festival – where he’s playing with his band, Shellac – Albini will reflect on his storied career, his thoughts on the current state of music and predictions for the future, with broadcaster and music programmer Woody McDonald.