Editing Nevermind (section)

==Background and early sessions==
In early 1990, Nirvana began planning their second album for their record company [[Sub Pop]], tentatively titled ''Sheep''. At the suggestion of Sub Pop head [[Bruce Pavitt]], Nirvana selected [[Butch Vig]] as producer.<ref name="classicalbums">''Classic Albums—Nirvana: Nevermind'' [DVD]. Isis Productions, 2004.</ref> The band particularly liked Vig's work with [[Killdozer (band)|Killdozer]].<ref name=hoi>Hoi, Tobias. "In Bloom". ''Guitar World''. October 2001.</ref> They traveled to Vig's [[Smart Studios]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], Wisconsin, and recorded from April 2 to 6, 1990.<ref name=Livenirvana>{{cite web|url=https://www.livenirvana.com/sessions/studio/april-1990.php|title=Live Nirvana – Sessions History – Studio Sessions – April 2–6, 1990 – Studio A, Smart Studios, Madison, WI, US|website=www.livenirvana.com|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=October 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029141433/https://livenirvana.com/sessions/studio/april-1990.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the basic arrangements were complete, but the songwriter [[Kurt Cobain]] was still working on lyrics and the band was unsure of which songs to record.<ref>Berkenstadt; Cross, p. 29</ref> Ultimately, eight were recorded, some of which were later rerecorded for ''Nevermind'': "Imodium" (later renamed "[[Breed (song)|Breed]]"), "[[Dive (Nirvana song)|Dive]]" (later released as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] to "[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]"), "[[In Bloom]]", "Pay to Play" (later renamed "Stay Away"), "[[Sappy]]", "[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]", "[[Here She Comes Now/Venus in Furs|Here She Comes Now]]" (released on ''[[Heaven & Hell: A Tribute to the Velvet Underground]]''), and "[[Polly (Nirvana song)|Polly]]".<ref>Azerrad, 1993. p. 137</ref>

On April 6, Nirvana played a local show in Madison with the [[Seattle]] band [[Tad (band)|Tad]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nirvanaguide.com/images/1990/040690.0001.jpg|title=Club Underground Show Flyer Live Nirvana|website=Nirvanaguide.com|access-date=May 25, 2023}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Vig began to [[Audio mixing|mix]] the recordings while the band gave an interview to Madison's community radio station [[WORT]] on April 7.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFnglPif-Is Nirvana - 04/07/90 - (Interview) WORT Radio Studio, Madison, WI]. ''YouTube''. July 6, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2023.</ref> Cobain strained his voice, forcing Nirvana to end the recording. On April 8, they traveled to [[Milwaukee]] to begin an extensive midwest and east coast tour of 24 shows in 39 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nirvanaguide.com/1990.php|title=Nirvana Live Guide – 1990|website=www.nirvanaguide.com|access-date=October 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061122204611/http://www.nirvanaguide.com/1990.php|archive-date=November 22, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The drummer [[Chad Channing]] left after the tour, putting additional recording on hold.<ref name="Azerrad138" /> During a show by the [[hardcore punk]] band [[Scream (band)|Scream]], Cobain and the bassist [[Krist Novoselic]] were impressed by their drummer [[Dave Grohl]]. When Scream unexpectedly disbanded, Grohl contacted Novoselic, traveled to Seattle, and was invited to join the band. Novoselic said in retrospect that, with Grohl, everything "fell into place".<ref name="classicalbums" />

By the 1990s, Sub Pop was having financial problems. With rumors that they would become a subsidiary of a major record label, Nirvana decided to "cut out the middleman" and look for a major record label.<ref name="classicalbums" /> Nirvana used the recordings as a demo tape to shop for a new label. Within a few months, the tape was circulating among major labels.<ref name="Azerrad138">Azerrad, 1993. p. 138</ref> A number of labels courted them; Nirvana signed with [[Geffen Records]] imprint [[DGC Records]] based on recommendations from [[Kim Gordon]] of [[Sonic Youth]] and their management company.<ref name="Azerrad162">Azerrad, 1993. p. 162</ref>

After Nirvana signed to DGC, a number of producers were suggested, including [[Scott Litt]], [[David Briggs (producer)|David Briggs]], [[Don Dixon (musician)|Don Dixon]], and [[Bob Mould]].<ref>Azerrad, 1993. p. 164–65</ref> Novoselic said the band had been nervous about recording under a major label, and the producers suggested by DGC wanted [[percentage point]]s. Instead, the band held out for Vig, with whom they felt comfortable collaborating.<ref name="requiem">Cross, Charles R. "Requiem for a Dream". ''Guitar World''. October 2001.</ref>