Music Discussions

I found something totally unexpected in my inbox this morning, a request from Trent Reznor for me to take part in a survey. I recently downloaded The Slip from their site and, as part of the process, filled out my contact information. I am positive that this is the reason I received the e-mail and not for attending a Nine Inch Nails concert way back in 1995. 🙂

This is a step in the right direction that I would like to see more artists and bands take. I wholeheartedly support musicians writing what they like and not caring if anyone else likes it or not, but the questions asking me what my favorite album track (the remix of “Gave Up” from the album Fixed) and my favorite live track (“Ruiner”) showed that Trent is actually interested in what his fans enjoy as well.

I wish that there were questions about favorite videos as well – which, if Mr. Reznor sees this site and wants to know my answer, it is “Down in It” – as this information could help him gage what visuals and story-lines his fans have found enjoyable.

In terms of usefulness to followers of Nine Inch Nails, there is something that may be overlooked by many. The obvious benefit is that the provided information can be used to shape the direction of future music. However, a not so obvious use that I stumbled across while taking the survey is that, through the possible answers to the questions, I learned of new music related sites and services.

I hope more current artists leave their labels and forge ahead on their own as the labels have shown many times over the last decade that they do not care about fans. My greater hope though is that new artists take this approach so that the next generation of groups pay attention to their listeners instead of their coin purses. I think I speak for all Nine Inch Nails fans when I say, “Thank you Trent Reznor!”.