the downward spiral

It's no secret that Mr. Reznor, the brains behind NIN among others projects over the last 2 decades, has been at odds with labels and music industry giants of the past. It's also no secret that he does not keep quiet about his disdain with policies, and maybe that's why we have to give him some respect. He's got the guts to speak up and do something about it, not just complain when something is wrong with the ever changing world of music business. 

According to an article featured earlier this month on contactmusic.com, he tells us the moment that put his actions to leave his former label, Interscope, into motion. 

"One of the biggest wake-up calls of my career was when I saw a record contract. I said, 'Wait - you sell it for $18.98 and I make 80 cents? And I have to pay you back the money you lent me to make it and then you own it? Who the f**k made that rule? Oh! The record labels made it because artists are dumb and they'll sign anything' - like I did. When we found out we'd been released (from their recording contract) it was like, 'Thank God!'. But 20 minutes later it was, 'Uh-oh, now what are we going to do?' It was incredibly liberating, and it was terrifying." 

Sometimes the most terrifying experiences can be the most liberating, especially for artists in the music industry. So technically speaking, differences between label and artist couldn't be worked out, and the label was silly enough to let an incredible artist go. WHY? Because it's about all about money to these big wigs. According to Trent, he also claims that big music labels are out of touch with reality and the social environment of consumers and fans. 

Reznor says, "Anyone who's an executive at a record label does not understand what the internet is, how it works, how people use it, how fans and consumers interact - no idea. I'm surprised they know how to use email. They have built a business around selling plastic discs, and nobody wants plastic discs any more. They're in such a state of denial it's impossible for them to understand what's happening. "

You have to hand it to Trent, making his music available for fans in a much different way at a lower cost. 2007's Ghosts I-IV were released independently in 4 different formats, starting at a low cost of $5 (or a free partial download). Additionally, 2008's The Slip was released independently as he encourages other artists to leave their label and start finding other ways to sell their music rather than relying on labels. "As an artist, you are now the marketer." he says.

In addition to being in touch with what fans want and interacting with them via his Twitter, Trent worked out a deal with venues for the NIN/Jane's Addiction tour to relax the camera policy during shows on certain dates. As posted on NIN.com, he states the following: 

"For dates May 7,2009-June 12, 2009. To be clear: this applies only to the North American NIN/JA tour. 

Examples: 

I have a nice SLR camera and lens and I want to shoot photos. YES. 
I have a high-quality camcorder and want to record video / audio. YES. 
I have a shoulder-mounted broadcast-quality video camera and want to shoot the show. NO. 
I have a flash-based audio recorder with a stereo hand-held mic and want to record the show. YES. 
I have a full Pro-Tools rig running off a generator and want to record the show. NO. 
I don't have any recording devices but I'd kind of like to make out with Ilan. NO (probably)*" 

*(see, he has a sense of humor! I've been telling you!)

So for those of us who are protogs of concerts and those who just want to take a decent camera to the show, there you go. Pretty nice of the guy, eh? Full details must be read if you plan on taking advantage of this opportunity. 

So what are your thoughts on Mr. Reznor making such bold moves to protect his work? Do you think artists should ditch their labels and come up with their own creative methods of marketing and selling, or would this change effect you as a consumer not being able to pick up your favorite band's new cd on iTunes or Best Buy?Do you think it'd be a mistake or a step in a progressive direction for artists? Maybe this would eliminate the term "selling out" if all artists followed in Trent's direction? Speak up! 

As for SOME things, well...some things can't be undone....

Nice silk shirt! ^_^ We'll let it slide though, Trent, it was 1990 after all....

Posted by Trent Reznor on nin.com: 

"In an effort to allow you to document your experience at the upcoming NIN/JA performances, we will be relaxing our photo/video policy (5/7/09 - 6/12/09 only). Fans will be permitted to bring in their personal cameras, video and audio recorders. This is not not an open door policy for any and all recording devices. Please try to use common sense as we are trying to ensure this experience is great for everyone attending. Don't show up with a television crew and a recording studio. 

To be clear: this applies only to the North American NIN/JA tour. 

Examples: 

I have a nice SLR camera and lens and I want to shoot photos. YES. 

I have a high-quality camcorder and want to record video / audio. YES. 

I have a shoulder-mounted broadcast-quality video camera and want to shoot the show. NO. 

I have a flash-based audio recorder with a stereo hand-held mic and want to record the show. YES. 

I have a full Pro-Tools rig running off a generator and want to record the show. NO. 

I don't have any recording devices but I'd kind of like to make out with Ilan. NO (probably). 

The following guidelines will be enforced. 

- Photo and video access is granted only for non-commercial private use. 

- Photo and video access is limited to areas permitted by type of ticket held. 

- NO access to barricade/photo pit. 

- NO shoulder mounted video equipment allowed, all cameras must be hand held. 

- NO equipment with a dimension longer than 20 inches (including cameras, lenses, etc.) 

- NO equipment bags that violate existing venue bag policies (check with venue) 

- NO external supports (tripods, monopods, steadicam mounts, mic stands, etc.) 

- NO video or audio broadcast equipment (microwave, RF, etc.) 

- NO external power equipment 

- NO lighting equipment (mounted or secondary) 

WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT AT HOME. 

If you plan to take advantage of this relaxed policy, we recommend that you 

do the following... 

- Carefully review your equipment to ensure it meets these specs. 

- Arrive early for possible security delays. 

- If your equipment is so expensive and/or fragile that you'd freak out if something happened to it, leave it behind, we're not responsible. 

- Do not interfere with anyone else's enjoyment of the show or create a hazard. 

We will do our best to make sure venue security staff is aware of our camera policy. However, there are always going to be cases where local security misunderstands and attempts to enforce a stricter camera policy. This is unfortunately one of the hazards of attempting to be considerably more open about recording than most of the concert industry. If a security guard hassles you for equipment that is allowed under our guidelines, please ask him to speak with NIN security about the matter and we will do our best to resolve it. 

Audio and video recorded at NIN/JA shows is for personal use only, and cannot under any circumstances be sold or used for profit in any way."

Last night I FINALLY saw NIN, Nine Inch Nalis, live!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was literally the best night of my life. I have tried to see this band live ever since I was a little kid and it finally happened. It was one emotional night for me. For you to understand how much this meant, let's take a little trip back to the early 90s, when I first became a fan of theirs.

The first time I hear of NIN was when I was listening to the radio and they played "Closer". Not too long after that I saw the video for it. I loved the song, but didn't care too much for the video. Hey I was seven okay. This was a band unlike anything else that I listened to at the time, and I liked it. I was tired of hearing the same style of music and needed a change. They were that change for me.

Six years later, I bought a copy of "The Downward Spiral" and started to because a huge fan of NIN. I listened to that CD a lot back then because at that time in my life I was going through a lot; the death of my grandmother, serious health issues, getting betrayal by someone who I though was a good friend, and trying to fit in in middle school. When I was depressed, I would listen to it over and over, and fell a lot better.

In high school, I met a good friend, A.J. who lives in LA now :(, and he introduced me to the rave sceen and techno music. We partied a lot to NIN as well as other techno bands. Each CD NIN put out was just a mixture of insane beats and lyrics that you could relate to and made you think.

From the time I was 13 until last night, ever time NIN came to Dallas, two problem got in the way of me going to see them live; either I had no one to go with, I just recently started attending shows alone; or I didn't have the money for a ticket. A couple of months ago NIN tickets when onsale and Candace got two tickets. She didn't know if her daugther would be back home or not so she asked me if I wanted to go if her daugther was not here to go. My immediate anwser was "YES!!". This led me to have the BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!

It rained all day yesterday, so I really wasn't feeling too good so I took a pain pill before Candace got here. I'm not sure what time we arrived at American Airline Center, AAC, but I was pretty out of it from the pill and still in a little pain, but I was determine not to let it ruin my night. The seats were litterally prefect, we were not in the pit but close enough to see everything. Sitting there waiting for the first band and only band before NIN came on the stage was extermely nerve racking. I played with my hands a lot and looked around most of the time. I felt this pit in my stomach and for a while I though I was going to vomit from the excitment, but I didn't thankfully.

A Place to Bury Strangers finally took the stage. I really like their music and their set was pretty good minus the lights pulsing at the end. I got dizzy and started feeling nauseous all over again. Plus I'm sure that the medicine was still in my system and that didn't help any. I checked out their music prior to the show and I like them. I would go see them again, but I know now to take shades with me!

After they were finish, I really had to pee and though I was going to vomit so Candace and I went to the restrooms. After that, we got some beer and headed back to our seats. I was trying to get my camera ready before time, and come my nerves. Candace and I talked about random stuff and did some people watching. I must say that NIN has a lot of interesting looking fans.

Finally the lights when down and everyone started to scream and jump out of their seats. It was finally time for me to see the band that I have been dying to see since I was seven. They came out to "1,000,000" which is on their new cd that you can download, The Slip. They also play "Discipline", "Echoplex", "Demon Seed", "Head Down", "Letting You", from the same CD. They were really good about playing old and new songs which I loved, because not too many bands do that. Their setlist included: "Piggy", "March of the Pigs", "Closer", "Hurt", "Head Like A Hole", "Survivalism", "Terrible Lie", "Only",  "Down In It", and a bunch of other stuff.

*Trent behind the screen during "Only"*

During their set, they had the most amazing lighting show I've ever seen. There were time were it looked like it was raining on stage. Trent going behind the screen during "Only" just like he did in the video was awesome. I mean what other band does stuff like that? They take pride in what they do and it showed on stage last night. Everything was prefect. The vocals, the insturments, the effects, EVERYTHING!!!! No other band can top them.

So to sum up the NIN show in one word, I would have to choose: PHENOMENAL!!!!!! A childhood dream of mine came true finally and I have to say thank you to Candace!!! I had a kick ass time last night and will be talking about it for the rest of my life!