Reznor, Ross, GQ

If you have not read this GQ interview with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, please do so at your earliest convenience. It's remarkable to read their insights on being a creative pair at this stage of their careers. Nine Inch Nails really took off in 1994 - thirty years ago. Reznor and NIN still feel associated with the same kind of ominous, dark, angry energy but the man did the score for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Soul. That's not to say he isn't always moody but he's a lot more diverse than most folks think of.

I admire a lot of things about both of them - their work ethic, their commitment to pushing their own boundaries, and their lack of fear on talking about topics that (basically) every other person of their status steers clear of. This bit of Reznor talking about streaming music is great:

“I think the terrible payout of streaming services has mortally wounded a whole tier of artists that make being an artist unsustainable. And it’s great if you’re Drake, and it’s not great if you’re Grizzly Bear. And the reality is: take a look around. We’ve had enough time for the whole ‘All the boats rise’ argument to see they don’t all rise. Those boats rise. These boats don’t. They can’t make money in any means. And I think that’s bad for art. And I thought maybe at Apple there could be influence to pay in a more fair or significant way, because a lot of these services are just a rounding error compared to what comes in elsewhere, unlike Spotify where their whole business is that. But that’s tied to a lot of other political things and label issues, and everyone’s trying to hold onto their little piece of the pie and it is what it is. I also realise, I think that people just want to turn the faucet on and have music come in. They’re not really concerned about all the romantic shit I thought mattered.” &emdash; Reznor

It's not like he's trying to be brash or controversial, he's just calling bullshit on what he see's as bullshit. How refreshing.

Even if you don't consider yourself a fan of their work, it's a worthwhile read simply as an invigoration for yourself and your own projects. These two have no obligation to score a soundtrack, write another NIN album or play a live show ever again but they have found a way to make all of it rewarding. That's a great goal.