Silkworm’s Tim Midgett launches a plan to pay off Electrical Audio’s mortgage
Electrical Audio's Studio A
Never let it be said that indie rockers don’t occasionally have hearts of gold, or at least the best of intentions. Tim Midgett, of Silkworm and Bottomless Pit, has launched a campaign to pay off Electrical Audio’s mortgage.
According to Midgett, the studio—owned by Steve Albini (audio engineer and founding member of Shellac and Big Black)—isn’t in danger of closing, but it does have an outstanding balance of $230,000 left on its mortgage and a tendency to charge under-market rates to bands looking to record there. As Midgett wrote on the donation page, “I think the place should be paid off by now, and I think we have the ability to do it.”
Thus: the “Pay Off Electrical Audio” campaign, probably to the endless embarrassment of the oft-surly Albini. The premise: If 2000 people can donate $115 a piece, the total will cover the rest of the mortgage. The campaign just launched today and has already raised almost $15,000 in donations. No one will be forced to pony up unless the goal is met, and there’s no minimum donation amount. Anyone can kick in a buck or two, though rabid Electrical Audio forum fans might be inclined to pledge a bit more.
