Trent Reznor Declares Nine Inch Nails a Free Agent
Radiohead may have started a revolution. Fresh on the heels of Thom Yorke and Co.'s decision to release their new CD without record label backing, Trent Reznor has announced that Nine Inch Nails is now free of its contract with Interscope Records and will also act as a "free agent." "I have been under recording contracts for 18 years and have watched the business radically mutate from one thing to something inherently very different," read a statement on the Nine Inch Nails website. "It gives me great pleasure to be able to finally have a direct relationship with the audience as I see fit and appropriate."
Reznor, who had been signed to the Interscope label since 1994, has openly embraced file-sharing as a means to obtain his band's music. During a May concert, he told fans in Australia to "steal" the latest NIN album, 'Year Zero,' after discovering that is was selling for nearly $30 US.
Reznor asked fans to stay tuned for announcements regarding the band's 2008 plans.
Posted by M. Tye Comer on Oct 9th 2007 3:00PM
Filed under: News
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
In This Together Nowat 10-09-2007
Trent Reznor is a REAL musician, that's why file sharing is no big deal to NIN. Making music is not all about money, it's about getting your message out, and NIN does that so fu*king well !!! As long as NIN keeps coming out with music that blows away the crap that is played on the radio, that's all that matters.
Where's Michael?at 10-09-2007
The money is made on tour. NIN is fantastic live. Go see them.
Jakeat 10-10-2007
He's actually been signed to Interscope since early 1992, they bought out the remainder of his TVT contract before BROKEN came out in 1992.
Amazing news.
metalmaster365at 10-14-2007
i just recently started listening to NIN but i think reznor is a musical genius. SCREW INTERSCOPE.
Breaat 10-14-2007
I always respected the man as well as I respected his music. Kudos, Trent! Don't give your soul over to the soul-sucking mega-corps. There may yet be hope for America and perhaps good music ain't dead just yet.
Rachaelat 10-14-2007
I "steal" music anyway. A lot of the stuff I like is unsigned and not on itunes, anyway, and i just don't have the budget to buy the thousands of songs that I download. And I looove NIN and radiohead. I hope this starts a trend among the more successful musicians that really don't need a fourth hollywood mansion with a diamond-studded swimming pool.
Danielat 10-14-2007
This is very awesome of Trent, but I hope that not everyone takes this route. If all of the more successful musicians took the independent route, that would cause CD prices to skyrocket. While people could still go out and download music, most young bands need to be promoted by record labels to succeed. This is not only to get their art out there, but these guys make a living off of music. If they can't get themselves out there, they can't eat.
Philipat 10-14-2007
hell yeah trent! that's the way to do it. fuck the industry.
Vanuchat 10-14-2007
QuoteUnquote Records is a label which is completely donation based. They debuted in 2006. All of their bands' albums (Bomb The Music Industry!, The Matt Kurz One, Rick Johnson Rock n' Roll Machine and more) are available for free download. mc chris also has an EP for free download on his website. Radiohead and NIN, as great as they are, are behind the times as far as I'm concerned! They just get press coverage because they're so big. Feh!
Muffinat 10-14-2007
Even though I think NIN suck, I totally respect what Trent is doing, hopefully more bands will take the step to making their shit free.
jennat 10-14-2007
NIN, please come back to Jones Beach in Wantagh NY.
Laurenat 10-14-2007
I agrre with In This Together Now.
Erinat 10-14-2007
The Musical Messiah Has Spoken....Yes Trent Reznor is a REAL musician...he is the one who will save us all through his music...Trent I commend you for finally breaking free...and I look forward to hearing the upcoming announcements you'll be giving us in 2008
kngnthng83at 10-14-2007
I've been working as a musician for the past seven years and just graduated from the Music Business program at the Musicians Institute. I can see both sides of the illegal downloading issue, though personally I think it's wrong. Lesser known bands depend on fans to buy their albums so they can keep going & get paid for their hard work. Who do you think ultimately pays for all the recording, touring, merchandise, etc.? The bands do. It's not like the record companies give them hundreds of thousands of dollars for nothing in return. If people download their music & don't pay for it, the bands get screwed. But regardless, I love NIN & completely respect Trent for doing what he's doing since the major labels are looking to get a piece of EVERYTHING. It's not impossible for bands to make it on their own, especially guys like Trent Reznor. lmml
davidat 10-15-2007
Suggesting that one person, especially Trent, is going to "save us" with their music is wayyyy over the top. I'm a fan of what I hope is the beginnings of a trend as far as marketing music goes... But Trent is not the best person to look to for world guidance.
Michaelat 10-16-2007
Trent is right, music should be about listening to your favorite performers without going BROKE!!!!
If you are tired of paying top dollar for music that sucks, listen to Michaelantonio...
http://myspace.com/michaelantoniolive