NINE INCH NAILS' TRENT REZNOR: 'I Would Like People To Support Artists'

The Pulse of Radio reports: NINE INCH NAILS founder and frontman Trent Reznor has spoken to CNet about the future of his own work and the way that music will be distributed to consumers in the future. Reznor recently parted with Interscope Records after fulfilling his contract and is also issuing a new album by friend Saul Williams through his own imprint as a digital release. Reznor discussed his rationale behind all this, explaining, "Personally, I would like people to support artists. After all, we as artists dedicate our lives to producing the best music we can...should I be angry at the audience that wants to hear music so much, an audience that is so passionate about hearing it they go online to get it two weeks before the music debuts? No, I want them to be that way."

Reznor acknowledges basing the release of Williams' record, "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust", on RADIOHEAD's recent online debut of its new effort, "In Rainbows". Reznor told CNet that he thought RADIOHEAD's idea was an "exciting way to sell a record," adding, "I think there were some serious flaws with how they executed but it was a good idea."

Reznor admitted that he can't predict the future of music distribution, saying, "I don't know what model is going to work. I do know relationships between music labels and artists like myself aren't going well...Their treatment of artists has less sympathy and it's more like 'What can we get out of you?' My only concern has always been that my audience is treated fairly."

"The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust" became available for download on Thursday (November 1) NiggyTardust.com.

Reznor is also working on a follow-up to the latest NINE INCH NAILS album, "Year Zero".