One of the biggest wake-up calls of my career was when I saw a record contract. I said, 'Wait - you sell it for $18.98 and I make 80 cents? And I have to pay you back the money you lent me to make it and then you own it?' Trent Reznor backbigcall share on social
The 'Downward Spiral' album was a record all about beating everybody up - and then 'Hurt' was like a coda saying maybe I shouldn't have done that. But to make the song sound impenetrable because I thought it was a little too vulnerable, I tried to layer it in noise. Trent Reznor albumbeatcoda share on social
What is exciting is taking back the excitement of being able to debut something to an audience in exactly the way you want to. Trent Reznor audiencebackdebut Change image and share on social
Now U2's not my favorite band, but I do respect them, and in the same way I respect Bowie: They change without fear of change. Trent Reznor bandbowiechange Change image and share on social
Frankly, I have always dreaded writing - there always seemed to be pain involved, unpleasant self-examination and a lot of fear. Trent Reznor dreadexaminationfear Change image and share on social
If you can use a search engine, you can find any piece of music that's been recorded for free. I'm not saying that's right, but it's a fact, and I'm surprised that more people don't accept or acknowledge that and try to adapt in some way. Trent Reznor acceptacknowledgeadapt share on social
I realized that I was afraid to really, really try something, 100%, because I had never reached true failure. Trent Reznor afraidfailurereach Change image and share on social
I can still make a living with touring. And maybe you buy a t-shirt. And I would rather 10 million people get my record and listen to it for free than 500,000 that I coerced to pay $15 for it, you know? Trent Reznor 000buycoerce share on social
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't think music should be free. Trent Reznor freehavemusic Change image and share on social
When I return to the writing process after being away from it for a while, the first part of it always is being honest with myself: What am I into right now? Is it rock bands and guitars, is it noise, is it dance beats and electronics? Is it space, is it clutter? Trent Reznor bandbeatclutter share on social