Last Tuesday, May 7, iconic indie-rock musician and producer Steve Albini died of a heart attack at age 61. As a musician, Albini fronted the punk-rock band Big Black in the 1980s and the post-hardcore outfit Shellac from the ‘90s to now, but it was through his work in the studio that he was best known.

Although Albini preferred the title “recording engineer” to “producer,” his track record in the studio elevated him to the status of one of the most iconic producers working in music today. Among Albini’s many credits are such albums as Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, The Wedding Present’s Seamonsters, PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me, and Nirvana’s In Utero — and of particular interest here in Minnesota, Albini recorded those last three mentioned albums at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, a city located between Minneapolis and Rochester.

Beyond those four artists, Albini also worked with the Jesus Lizard, the Breeders, Flogging Molly, Mogwai, Robbie Fulks and so many more, including Minnesota bands Low and STNNNG. With such a storied career, it’s only fitting we celebrate the life and work of Steve Albini with music.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs produced — or as he would have preferred, “recorded” or “engineered” — by Steve Albini would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Pixies – Where Is My Mind
Nirvana – Heart Shaped Box
The Breeders – When I Was a Painter
Low – Sunflower
Ty Segall – Orange Color Queen
PJ Harvey – 50ft Queenie