The first thought for many around Steve Albini’s passing was not about sports. The legendary producer (although he preferred the title “engineer”) and performer, famed for work on albums like Nirvana’s In Utero and Pixies’ Surfer Rosa as well for his performances in bands like Shellac and Big Black, passed away suddenly Tuesday at 61 after a heart attack. And that prompted countless tributes from the music world. However, it also drew some more attention to a sports-heavy music project of Albini’s featuring three songs about baseball, which drummer Andy Kosinski had previously tweeted about Tuesday:
While you’re waiting for the new #Shellac record (I can confirm, it’s very good!) why not grab this new release: Chin Music, a three song 7” featuring me, #SteveAlbini, Tim Midyett (#Silkworm #MintMile) and the glorious @MattSpiegel670 – three songs about our love of baseball. pic.twitter.com/u7qZ5IHhU9
— shart_circuit (@shart_circuit) May 7, 2024
You can purchase from the following website: https://t.co/cDHDATePPj
— shart_circuit (@shart_circuit) May 7, 2024
As noted there, this started as music for a podcast hosted by Kevin Goldstein (known for media stints with Baseball Prospectus and elsewhere and executive stints with the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins, where he’s now the VP of international scouting and a special advisor). Here’s more on the “Chin Music” project (also featuring 670 The Score host Matt Spiegel on vocals and Tim Midyett on bass) from the NittyKitty website, where readers can order a limited 7-inch physical pressing (with all proceeds going to people in need):
In early 2021, Kevin Goldstein was looking for music to accentuate his new baseball podcast for Fangraphs. Naturally he turned to his friend Steve Albini to assist with the matter. Steve quickly put together a team of baseball loving musicians who spent a day in the studio at Electrical Audio in Chicago, crafting and recording three odes to America’s Pastime. This band consisted of the following all-stars:
Steve Albini of Shellac, Big Black and Chin Music on Guitar and Toasting
Tim Midyett of Silkworm, Bottomless Pit, Mint Mile and Deep Tunnel Project on Bass
Matt Spiegel of Tributosaurus, Brother Brother and midday host on 670 the Score on Vocals
Andy Kosinski of Hungry Man, Sirs and Ling Ling on Drumswith a special appearance by Stephen Howard of Pinebender on the Guitar Solo for “You Break My Heart Every Year”
…This three song 7” is limited to a pressing of 1000 and will never be repressed. It features original album art by Steve Albini and an etching on the B side also done by Steve. Ask him about how he did it, he is very proud of himself.
Remember, all profits go to someone in need so help usher in the new baseball season with three songs dedicated to the greatest game ever invented.
For his part, Goldstein also offered a long Twitter/X tribute to Albini Wednesday, including thoughts on his love for baseball:
This might get long . . . Steve was an incredibly important figure in the music industry, and is obviously most well-known for his work and . . . . let’s just say opinions on that matter, but my God he was so much more.
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) May 8, 2024
He did an incredible amount of charitable work, cared about his friends so deeply and openly showed it, and he cared about every musician he worked with, be it Nirvana or the thousands of bands (literally thousands) that he recorded that you never heard of.
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) May 8, 2024
He really knew the game well, and we (him, myself and @timmidyett) would talk about it multiple days a week. He’d be amazed about Duran’s velocity, or a play someone made, or just the amazing names of players I was seeing in the DR. I’ll miss those talks immensely.
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) May 8, 2024
There are few people I’ve ever known who have done things for themselves and others exactly as they saw fit, without a hint of compromise, than Steve Albini. We can all strive to be more like that. Requiscat, you absolute king of a human.
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) May 8, 2024
Albini’s passing has certainly left a mark on many. A Pitchfork piece from Nina Corcoran and Jazz Monroe does a good job of summing up some of his remarkable music career, which included overseeing recordings for several thousands of bands (and a ton of massive names). But it’s also interesting to see this about a baseball project he had a notable role in. For those looking to get a physical pressing of those songs, that can be found on the above NittyKitty website.