Trent Reznor(Nine Inch Nails) on the future of the Music Industry

[JDN]

Trent Reznor on Year Zero, Planting Clues, and What's Ludicrous About Being a Musician Today

This is quite a long and interesting read. Trent talks extensively about his ARG surrounding his last CD, Year Zero, and also extensively about the future of the music business, what other artists and labels are doing now(Radiohead In Rainbows), what he believes the advantages and shortcomings are and where things are headed. He discusses various formats and ways to release music.

Keep in mind, Trent is an incredible visionary and artist that has consistently been on the cutting edge of music and technology since he was first signed in 1989. He also earlier this year produced Saul Williams new CD which they released for free, or a small donation on the internet.

He has been signed to interscope since 1992 and his contract was just up, he decided not to resign but rather release his new music himself someway.

It's superlong, but a really great insightful read.

[herecomesyourman]

I really like this artical.

But I'm reading down to the part where he's talking about...how someone like Paul Allen could start a foundation that sponsers new music and fosters online retail.

And I agree with the sentiment, but what we really need is for engineers / producers / and high profile artists like Reznor to make a new organization that can do this, monitored by the people who make music for a living. Much like ASCAP was founded by songwriters like Gershwin, in the age or piracy we need Pirate Captains, in a sense, to lead the charge.

I think MANY of the things he's done to market both Year Zero, and it's predicessor With Teeth, are not only brilliant, but engaging.

But as much as I love Reznor...why isn't there an open forum to address music industry hypotheticals proactively, where he can TRULY point blank, be in direct contact with fans and friends alike.

Our country was founded by the ideal of open debate and direct action in accordance. The music industry needs to become more of a democratic process to survive the grave the major record labels have already put two feet in.

[JDN]

Originally Posted by herecomesyourman

I really like this artical.

But I'm reading down to the part where he's talking about...how someone like Paul Allen could start a foundation that sponsers new music and fosters online retail.

And I agree with the sentiment, but what we really need is for engineers / producers / and high profile artists like Reznor to make a new organization that can do this, monitored by the people who make music for a living. Much like ASCAP was founded by songwriters like Gershwin, in the age or piracy we need Pirate Captains, in a sense, to lead the charge.

I think MANY of the things he's done to market both Year Zero, and it's predicessor With Teeth, are not only brilliant, but engaging.

But as much as I love Reznor...why isn't there an open forum to address music industry hypotheticals proactively, where he can TRULY point blank, be in direct contact with fans and friends alike.

Our country was founded by the ideal of open debate and direct action in accordance. The music industry needs to become more of a democratic process to survive the grave the major record labels have already put two feet in.

glad you liked the article, I was worried that anyone who wasn't the huge fan I was would be turned off by the length of the article, but it's really quite engaging to all of us in the music industry trying to deal in this new climate. I hope others read this and are inspired and challanged. It's funny that after the whole year zero thing jimmy iovine looked into buying 42 entertainment....typical corporate sheep mentality...I laughed at that, as I hadn't herd it before.

[EstateMatt]

I'm a nine inch nails fan....
this is the end of pure music.

[syra]

Originally Posted by EstateMatt

I'm a nine inch nails fan....
this is the end of pure music.

or the beginning...

[herecomesyourman]

No it's not.

Pure music is still around. People just need to set their sites on smaller goals and develop artists over longer periods of time before they sign them off to majors.

[JDN]

bump...would have really thought there'd be more insightful discussion of this...there are tons of interesting points in this article on the future of music, including opinions on what prince did, radiohead, saul williams, the future, what formats people prefer, how to go about delivering that....not to mention great marketing and crazy audio ideas....come on...the geeks here must think trying to have specific audience member hear things in their heads between sets by pointing special localized speakers at them is pretty cool!

[cabby]

Not a lot to discuss. I agree with much of what he says. He is trying to adapt to the current marketplace. His take on the RIAA is spot on.

[AlphaDingo]

Great interview.

[Rick Shepherd]

My brother used to listen to NIN while we were working together. All I could do is excuse myself from time to time and go puke because I couldn't even imagine why anyone would listen to such trash. But this is just my opinion.

[Power Supply]

That's a pretty long-winded and self-absorbed interview if you ask me.
(And I like NIN).

[EstateMatt]

Originally Posted by Power Supply

That's a pretty long-winded and self-absorbed interview if you ask me.
(And I like NIN).

thats what happens when you dont edit it. I actually preferred it, made him seem more human.

[GearBit]

Originally Posted by Power Supply

That's a pretty long-winded and self-absorbed interview if you ask me.
(And I like NIN).

Trent? Self absorbed?
Get out

Keep in mind, Trent is an incredible visionary and artist

I guess.
I just can't help but hear a dude that thought "I'll take the electro pop of Depeche Mode and mix it with a bit of Ministries machine metal (stolen from Albinis Big Black BTW) and top it off with some country style (depression, Up above it, Down in it) lyrics"

I am a fan BTW.....

[soundrick]

I really enjoyed this article. thanks for posting it.

I'm a huge NIN fan, and I'm really glad to hear that he's making an effort to be part of the solution.
It sounds kind of like he doesn't have real animosity toward the record labels, more of a "I just don't agree with you, and I think I'll just get out while you go down with the ship", type of attitude. I was a little surprised by this with all the rampant label bashing by everyone lately. That's a good example of being pragmatic and flexible.

[soundrick]

So, with the release of Ghosts, it looks like Reznor is putting his money where his mouth is.
It will be interesting to see how this new approach will work out for him.....I would be willing to bet this album will fare much better than Saul Williams, or Radiohead for that matter.