Trent Reznor Q&A
 
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04/07/09 7:13 PM

trent_reznor posted:
OK guys - I'm up for answering some "true fan" questions in a video response like DIGG. Self-organize and come up with some good ones and I'll answer them. PLEASE don't bombard my inbox - select a spokesman who's a moderator and have them set something up with me.
Cool?

Questions may be submitted in this thread until 12:00 midnight PDT (7:00 AM GMT) on Saturday, April 11.

A few things to remember:
• One post per person, no more than 3 questions per post. Anything that isn't a question will be deleted.
• Please check recent interviews, these forums (including this thread), and the NIN Wiki before asking your questions.
• Please don't ask Trent any questions about his personal life.



Trent has indicated that he would like 10 questions. Tell us your suggestions on how to choose the 10 questions and how the questions will be presented to him, in this thread: [forum.nin.com].


Suggest question selection committee members here: [forum.nin.com].
Committee member voting will end tomorrow (Friday, April 10) at 12pm Pacific time.



MOD EDIT: Major clean-up, thread guidelines, and thread title.
swimfin mod edit: added links, dates.



Edited 13 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2009 07:13PM by SwimFin.

 

04/07/09 7:25 PM

For what it's worth, this is the one I posted for Digging. It ended up +79/-14, so +65 net Diggs. My fingers are again crossed.

Given what's known of your methods in the studio, it's fair to assume that there must be scads of either unfinished or, for some reason, unsatisfactory (to you) songs collecting metaphorical dust on at least one hard drive somewhere. Some of this material from the 1998-99 era, you've admitted, ended up on Saul Williams' latest album. Previously unheard studio recordings of "Nonentity" and "Not So Pretty Now" were just disseminated via the NIN/JA website. Will your devout fans ever see any more of this previously unreleased material, whether in the form of an "apocrypha" collection or a disc of "sketches," like the Ghosts project? Many artists are hesitant when it comes to revisiting abandoned projects: would you even consider revisiting this older work in order to finalize it for release? Now that you're independent of any major record label, would you even be allowed, legally speaking, to release older creations, or would some intellectual property clause in your old Interscope contract/copyrights get in the way?

 

04/07/09 7:37 PM

here are some

1. with the NIN lineup changing frequently, how do you pick the next person in line? also, How did you go about hiring a non-band member, like Rob?

2. some of your songs are very loop-oriented. how do you expand a loop into an entire song?

3. with over 100 songs to choose from, how do you decide what will make it into each concert?

thank you for the interview and thank you thank you if you ever get around to these



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2009 03:02PM by NickAcosta.

 

04/07/09 7:38 PM

Question from me:

Do you realize the cult status that the word "Soon" has garnered?

Explanation: When people see TR say "soon" its either accompanied by one of two reactions- complete anguish or utter speculation.

Personally i'm the latter but I know how much TR likes to tease us and i'll wait for whatever-just sayin'.

 

04/07/09 7:39 PM

We really appreciate you doing this.

1- Do you like to cook? If so, what is your favorite dish to prepare?

2- Is there any instrument you've always wanted to play but just couldn't seem to master, or gave you difficulties learning?

3- Approximately how many bricks did you shit when you saw how eerily similar the PSR B1509-58 nebula resembled The Presence? [link to article]

Have a wonderful day, sir.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2009 05:41PM by canisXcore.

 

04/07/09 7:47 PM

I'm going to ask some tour related questions:

1. Any chance any of the rarely or previously never played material will make an appearance during the NINJA tour (WITT, Last, Ruiner, TPD, etc.)

2. Any chance of more tour dates after coming back from over seas? Maybe a small club tour?

Thanks.

 

04/07/09 7:55 PM

1. To what extent did Jeff Ward's life and suicide influence the character "Mr. Self-Destruct" and "The Downward Spiral" concept, if at all?

2. Your outlook on life is very positive now. Do you find your "dark and brooding" Nine Inch Nails persona limiting the musical directions you now want to go? What musical directions would you like to explore? Might you record simply as "Trent Reznor" to keep the identities separate and show your musical versatility?

 

04/07/09 9:46 PM

Is there anyone musician you would really like to just hit or tell to retire?- did get 257 diggs

I heard you were an xfiles fan. did ya see the new movie? do ya have a favorite episode?

silliness I know smiling smiley

mod edit: redundant questioning.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2009 01:50AM by theevilgumby1013.

 

04/07/09 9:50 PM

Last year, via online survey, you polled us about a variety of topics - from what type of social networking sites we used, to what our favorite songs to see you perform are. Did you guys notice any surprising trends as a result of that survey and how did that data shape what we’re seeing from NIN now?


Seems you have had successful working relationships [production-wise] with both established acts such as Jane’s Addiction, and new-to-many artists like Saul Williams. Which end of that scope do you find more challenging – or does the artist’s background even matter? In the same vein, are there any “baby bands” or under-the-radar acts that you would consider pairing with during your “hiatus?”

Mod edit: 3 questions, max.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2009 09:54PM by orestes.

 

04/07/09 9:50 PM

1) Your creativity brought you a successful career and instant popularity to go along with it. Do you ever miss being just the average guy by being able to go anywhere you want, when you want, without being flooded by fans?

2) Besides synths, what are some interests/hobbies you enjoy doing when not on the road?

3) Would you prefer to date someone that was a fan of your music, or someone that wasn't familiar with your work, and why?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2009 07:15PM by china cat.

 

04/07/09 9:51 PM

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2009 11:07PM by visage13.

 

04/07/09 9:52 PM

1. Do you see a time coming in the future when you step back from putting out your own music and help other artists find new ways to distribute their music? new ways to gain the attention and respect of the listener? how to see past the "mainstream" focus and more about the music they really want to make? You'd be a great mentor to so many. I hope to see it.

2. You've done alot to bring your fans together not just for your benefit but for the benefit of each of us. We've found alot of friends and banded together in different ways thanks to this site and your hard work. Are there projects/tests you've created that had positive side effects you weren't expecting?

3. Are there projects/tests you tried that just didnt work out the way you planned?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2009 10:50AM by RAZNKN.

 

04/07/09 9:52 PM

When you first started working on songs for NIN, were you worried that people wouldn't be able to connect with your music?

 

04/07/09 9:52 PM

1. Are there any new bands that you feel have a long career ahead of them?

2. Do you collect anything?

3. Are there any bands/artists you find an abomination to the genre "rock" or "alternative"?

 

04/07/09 9:54 PM

1. What's your source for finding new music to listen to? Have you gone to see any bands recently that put on an impressive live show?

2. Can you tell us a bit about the game idea you pitched with Rob Sheridan mentioned in the Digg Dialogg video?

3. How do you keep having access to so much information about what your fans want and what other artists are doing from bogging down your artistic vision?

mod edit: done.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2009 12:50AM by marodi.

 

04/07/09 9:54 PM

Here's mine:

My question is:

Congrats on YZ, can't wait to see what is in store for that,

1.) My question is who would you like to see play the characters for YZ and why?

2.)Also Do you have any plans in the near future for maybe a solo album with you and a piano?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2009 09:56PM by Amarna.

 

04/07/09 9:57 PM

1. What was the first concert you ever went to? Did that performance have any effect on your own personal stage presence once you started performing?

2. What is your favorite band to see live?

 

04/07/09 10:00 PM

1. Do you have an idea of what you want your next album to sound like?

2. Have you ever toyed around with the idea of an acoustic album or ep with all new music?

3. What do you think is a good way for up and coming artists, that dont want to be like britney or 50 or coldplay, to get their music out if they make music that is unlike the "norm" or "not popular"?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2009 10:03PM by skinperiod.

 

04/07/09 10:00 PM

Trying to figure out how to ask this without sounding... weird.

1. Obviously NIN has played a big role in the lives of many people within the community; certain songs evoke certain feelings and such. That being said, how does it affect you to see fans crying during shows, if you notice that kind of thing? Is it weird for you? As someone guilty of doing that at multiple shows, sometimes it's something that just can't be helped.

...And now for something completely different. There's no rule against silly questions, so-

2. By popular demand... Chicks with boobs on the rail: Distracting?

3. Would you ever let Robin do your hair?


Thanks for taking the time to do this, seriously.

 

04/07/09 10:01 PM

-------------------------

1. What does "NIN is going away for a while" mean? You've repeated this phrase multiple times (and I think some of your more "hardcore" fans have had unnecessary ulcers over this) without delving much into your thoughts behind what you want to accomplish before NIN comes back or ideally how long of a break you want before NIN comes back (which, maybe, you don't even know yourself?). How long do you see it before NIN resurfaces, what do you wish to accomplish in that period in between (even if it is just a means for relaxation or vacation), and will NIN be different when it finally does return?


-------------------------

2. Did you really go through forty million pages of cover suggestions from Twitter followers? If you really did - did you find anything worth looking into, and if so, what are some songs that you could possibly be interested in doing? What were some of the more ridiculous replies that you got?




--------------------------

3. It is much appreciated amongst the fans that you are highly involved and interactive with our interests (for instance, the fact that you are taking the time to answer even more questions after that 40 minute interview with Kevin Rose is extremely considerate). Out of curiosity, how much time do you spend looking at the forums on nin.com and ETS, what do you usually look for in terms of feedback, and do you read the majority of the PM's and tweet replies that you get? Ever been freaked out by creepy messages/tweets, angered by the amount of bitching, or laugh out loud at some of the comments by fans? Examples?



Edited 7 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2009 04:55AM by Shitfuckdamn.

 

04/07/09 10:03 PM

1. What was your first impression on Venezuela? Is it a place you'll like to visit again?
JMJ and Robin seemed to love it here, but I'm sure me and the guys from the venezuelan fanpage would like to hear you say something about it.

2. Who would you choose as a director for a NIN music video? (If it's ever going to happen again)

3. Do you think the lost "The Fragile" and "With Teeth" songs will ever see the light?

 

04/07/09 10:03 PM

-What are you doing to Aaron in this video towards the end? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJUB5BWxoLM

-Have you ever ventured into The Party Room?

-Which season of Rock Of Love was your favorite?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2009 10:41PM by phunybuny.

 

04/07/09 10:04 PM

Are you concerned at all that the generous gesture of releasing "The Slip" for free might be seen by fans with a pseudo sense of self-entitlement as precendent setting? That they may now bitch and moan at being asked to pay a reasonable price for your next release? Assuming that your hiatus will not be an indefinite one (maybe hoping more than assuming), we know you need to be compensated not only for sustainability, but also to be rewarded properly for your work. A portion of the above-mentioned fanbase may react like spoiled kids at Xmas expecting you to one-up yourself continually as they've become accustomed to getting everything for free.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2009 10:06PM by Suntam.

 

04/07/09 10:08 PM

1)Since NIN is taking a break, obviously we want nin.com kept around over a lifetime span, like 2-5years. You mentioned you're trying to figure out a way to monetize the site. Would you consider a donation model, like wikipedia or EFF?

2)A good chunk of data on this site, it's being pulled from external websites. Would you consider implementing some of the smart up and coming web apps?


3)During the 90's The Future Sound of London did broadcasts from their studio via ISDN lines, live. The question of broadcasting shows live was brought up. Extending that question further, would you be willing to do a more informal studio or rehearsal space show live or, record it and up it to a tracker?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2009 12:17PM by jarrettwold.

 

04/07/09 10:14 PM

1. To many fans, your songs are the perfect expression of their emotions & thoughts; are there any particular songs that have had a similar effect on you?

2. 2+ hours of your life you'll never get back: What movie/concert would you say you most regret seeing?

3. What would you say is scarier: Being surrounded by fans in public, or (back in the day) leaping off the stage into the moshpit.

 

04/07/09 10:14 PM

I've always sort of had the impression that you wanted to be "the man behind the curtain." That is, while there is an obvious sense in which you have to put yourself out there to do what you do, people also need to understand that the man and the art are two different things. You wouldn't answer questions, for example, about things that you find deeply personal (nor should you!). So, respectfully: What on Earth has caused you to 'twitter'? Further: How do you connect with fans in a digital age without necessarily intrusive results?

Thanks - can't wait to see you this summer!

 

04/07/09 10:16 PM

1) Similar question to Shitfuckdamn. You said "NIN is going away for a while", So what do you plan to do with your time off on a professional/artistic scale? Do you have any NON-NIN projects lined up for the future?

2) Most importantly.. when the time comes that you feel you need to say goodbye and put NIN away on a more permanent level..what do you plan on doing? Or do you feel that time will not come?

3)Do you think even when you are in your 60's and 70's you will still be making music on some level?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2009 10:18PM by Mistic_Morgue.

 

04/07/09 10:16 PM

Silly questions.

1) If you could choose to live in any time period, other than the current one, which would you choose and why? No, you can't travel into the future.

2) When did you switch from using PCs to Macs? That is, if you ever used PCs to begin with.

3)What is your favorite rock opera/concept album?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2009 10:03AM by southernbelle91.

 

04/07/09 10:17 PM

I'm greedy so I have two.


1. Since your fans seem to be stauchly devoted and, to somee extent; will buy anything you release - do you ever feel like it's never enough or that you could realease something just to satisfy that loyalty?

2. Since NIN's style and place in history has been cemented firmly over the years, have you ever considered creating a different style of music, maybe not even typical of NIN's sound in a Gorillaz-esque way where you wouldn't be seen or perhaps even vocally heard?

 

04/07/09 10:18 PM

i know not if this is an original question or not but this is something that occured to me after i purchased year zero. year zero was published in year 2007. in the year of 2000 an artist named brian wood published a graphic novel titled channel zero. the concepts contained within both of these works seems extremely similar. i was wondering if trent is aware of this similarity.

 
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