6Jan2008
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Trent Reznor on NIGGY TARDUST, the new Saul Williams record he produced and released online
I have to admit I’m really excited to find out what exactly he’s working on. I do hate that dichotomy of either being a dignified and respectable artist or a sellout tool. I think it’s a matter of all these big pompous companies undermining an audience and feeding them lies of what’s good and what’s not. I am, however, extremely optimistic these days. We seem to be on our way to a musical renaissance, as tacky as it sounds. Not only the way music is created but more the way it is delivered to the end user and its framework.
I am into all things folk and this includes an ever affection for all things old and the old way of doing things, especially music. i.e. I cannot stand electrical instruments but I am a huge supporter of technology as a way to embrace a new way to carry the business side of music. When art and business find a way to exist together within the artist’s ability to execute both in an effective and beautiful manner will be the beginning of a fascinating and exciting period.
If this is what Norbum is about….. sign me up!
‘As I find myself free from the bloated bureaucracy of major labels, finally able to do whatever I want… well, what is that? What is the “right” way to release records, treat your music and your audience with respect and attempt to make a living as well? I have a number of musician friends who are either in a similar situation or feel they soon will be, and it’s a real source of anxiety and uncertainty.’
The right way will not be as concrete as the old way. It will be a framework which can be applied by any artist, producing infinite variety. A variant of such a system already exists, but has not been applied to music yet.
Music has been stagnant (artistically and commercially) for the past several years, even though this framework has been around since the mid-1990s. I will soon apply the framework to music and if I am correct, it will mean more money AND better art. This would be great not only because it’s more of two great things. It will be great because it will destroy a false dichotomy that has been ruining music lately: that you either make money OR make good art. That you either sell out to an old-fashioned label (indie or mainstream) OR you make music in obscurity and wait tables on the side.
I have so much to say right now that I could write a book by the end of this week. Over the next few months I have to be careful not to make many bold claims, unless they are matched with actual business progress. — jakoblodwick
I have to admit I’m really excited to find out what exactly he’s working on. I do hate that dichotomy of either being a dignified and respectable artist or a sellout tool. I think it’s a matter of all these big pompous companies undermining an audience and feeding them lies of what’s good and what’s not. I am, however, extremely optimistic these days. We seem to be on our way to a musical renaissance, as tacky as it sounds. Not only the way music is created but more the way it is delivered to the end user and its framework.
I am into all things folk and this includes an ever affection for all things old and the old way of doing things, especially music. i.e. I cannot stand electrical instruments but I am a huge supporter of technology as a way to embrace a new way to carry the business side of music. When art and business find a way to exist together within the artist’s ability to execute both in an effective and beautiful manner will be the beginning of a fascinating and exciting period.
If this is what Norbum is about….. sign me up!
