NIN Ditches Music Label

H

HardOCP News

[H] News
Joined
Dec 31, 1969
Messages
0
Radiohead did it, now Nine Inch Nails has decided to ditch its record label for the release of their latest album. Even if you guys don’t like Radiohead or NIN, expand your horizons, buy their new albums and help send a message to the industry that THIS is the way we want our music.

The only official member of the band Nine Inch Nails, Reznor announced Monday that the group is now a "free of any recording contract with any label." Representatives from Reznor's music label, Universal Music Group, were unavailable for comment.
Click to expand...
 
I bet you will see sales of these two bands increase dramatically because people don't want to give the record companies the money that the musicians rightfully deserve. I bet their CD prices will drop too because they will no longer artificially inflate the prices.
 
This is also a huge nail in the coffin for the record whores

NIN is HUGE!!! whatever profits the record whores made off NIN is now *poof*
 
I've never purchased a NIN CD, nor downloaded their music, but was considering buying a CD when I was shopping the other day (picked up Chiodos, Korn, and Foo Fighters CDs instead). Now I have two reasons to buy their latest album: 1- They rock. 2- Fuck the record companies.
 
This is great news, hopefully many more bands will do the same. And I'm a big NIN fan, just seen them in Atlanta not long ago. And he was saying the same shit about go out and steal the album if you have to and fuck the record companies.
SWEEEEEEEET:D
 
It's about time those 5 chinned fat bastard record execs get what they deserve. I have so much respect for Radiohead and NIN for doing this.

Far as I'm concerned, all the record companies can disappear, and no one will ever miss them.
 
I hope in the future more bands do this. The record companies have no clue whats up.
 
This is GREAT for bigger bands, but smaller bands, like my own, are very reliant on record labels to get out there in the first place. Once you've sold 50 million records you don't have to worry about dick, when you're trying to hit 10,000 on your myspace a record labels promotion and financial backing for touring and recording are a necessity.
 
pigwalk said:
This is GREAT for bigger bands, but smaller bands, like my own, are very reliant on record labels to get out there in the first place. Once you've sold 50 million records you don't have to worry about dick, when you're trying to hit 10,000 on your myspace a record labels promotion and financial backing for touring and recording are a necessity.
Click to expand...

If you play, they will come... :)
 
pigwalk said:
This is GREAT for bigger bands, but smaller bands, like my own, are very reliant on record labels to get out there in the first place. Once you've sold 50 million records you don't have to worry about dick, when you're trying to hit 10,000 on your myspace a record labels promotion and financial backing for touring and recording are a necessity.
Click to expand...

And how many small bands do you think make money, even after they get a contract with a big label. I've heard that only the top 10% of bands make money off of CDs.

Here's an article that I think is worth reading. http://www.arancidamoeba.com/mrr/problemwithmusic.html
Notice that the band ends up losing $14,000 on record sales.
 
Lol I've probably passed out that link more often than you can imagine. At least link people to the original off Albini's site :p

No, most bands DON'T make money from a label. What they do get, is management, booking, promotions, recordings and merch. And that's the stuff that'll keep you on the road doing what you love to do. Tourings what gets you some (but not alot) of money, enough to help pay the rent back home or keep your gear in good shape.

Don't forget too, that article is slanted to MAJOR label issues. Alot of things are alot different on independant labels.
 
And, odds are that many new artists are being pigeoned into the new contractual mechanisms of the modern recording industry, among them the 360 degree contract, which essentially means that labels will be sticking their hands in tours, merch and endorsements, which was not a typical practice before.

Both artists and labels are coming to the realization that, due to piracy, the studio album is going to be a less vital part of the business model. Because of this, artists can sever ties with labels and create their own successful marketing and distribution models, relying on what might be fairly minimal album sales to fuel touring, merch and marketing, and constantly funneling money back into the band.

Hopefully this will eventually lead to an end of the loudness wars.
 
What you want to bet that the RIAA will blame this on Music Piracy?

I had heard that the music bands only made about $1 for every CD sold, always thought that was wrong, hopefully NIN will make alot of money doing this and word gets around. Money is the main motivator for almost everything and if Artist see that they can make more money and have more creative freedom then the big corporations will have to either change there ways or go the way of the Dodo.
 
Well, this is not how I want my music distributed.

First, I like cover art. I like holding a package in my hand, as it tells me a certain level of care was put into this album that I hold in my hand.

Second, I personally feel that digital downloading cheapens the listening experience by putting even more emphasis on individual tracks, versus the creative whole.

Third, NIN are a boring band, and this seems like a way to make themselves even more boring.

Forth, how is this any different then what other bands have done? Oh! It's because they're a "major label" act that it finally means something.

Fifth, Broaden my horizons? Why should I support something that I do not like? Because they are offering their music online? No thank you...I will go support people that create far more "interesting" music, by going to their shows, buying their albums, buying merch, and by being a fan...not a whore.
 
twonunpackmule said:
Well, this is not how I want my music distributed.

First, I like cover art. I like holding a package in my hand, as it tells me a certain level of care was put into this album that I hold in my hand.

Second, I personally feel that digital downloading cheapens the listening experience by putting even more emphasis on individual tracks, versus the creative whole.

Third, NIN are a boring band, and this seems like a way to make themselves even more boring.

Forth, how is this any different then what other bands have done? Oh! It's because they're a "major label" act that it finally means something.

Fifth, Broaden my horizons? Why should I support something that I do not like? Because they are offering their music online? No thank you...I will go support people that create far more "interesting" music, by going to their shows, buying their albums, buying merch, and by being a fan...not a whore.
Click to expand...
1. Good for you.
2. Pretty sure you can still download the WHOLE album-so what's your point?
3. Thanks for your opinion that has no bearing on the real issue at hand (big bands bucking the system)
4. That's WHY it's important-big bands make "big music" aka the industry money. If these bands tell them to F off...then changes will happen. Conversely, if little joe Indie band says screw you to the label-nothing happens, other than the probable demise of that band.
5. What the hell does this have to do with anything? You've completely missed the point of why this is news.
 
ClariorHincHonos said:
1. Good for you.
2. Pretty sure you can still download the WHOLE album-so what's your point?
3. Thanks for your opinion that has no bearing on the real issue at hand (big bands bucking the system)
4. That's WHY it's important-big bands make "big music" aka the industry money. If these bands tell them to F off...then changes will happen. Conversely, if little joe Indie band says screw you to the label-nothing happens, other than the probable demise of that band.
5. What the hell does this have to do with anything? You've completely missed the point of why this is news.
Click to expand...

Ownage dispensed justly and properly.

Lgndz approves!


Glad to see NIN following suit. I will definitly pick up their album. It only helps that I like them anyways :D
 
Now can I get my digital download in something other than half-assed MP3 format?

It's only the first step, I really don't care about the CD, but it's the only way to date I cna get good digital audio from a band. So hopefully like radiohead they will be putting out physical media as well.

Been not buying from corporate labels for years now. Have been buying directly from bands who self publish. Nice to see some big acts catchingon to the concept.
 
ive been going to concerts to support bands because the RIAA can blow me...

but one by one we will see more go this route if WE as the consumers, support this method of distribution.

And... GIVE the little guys a chance... because there are a TON of AWESOME "No name" groups out there that put out better music then some of the big named groups peddled by the record industry.

I am super excited for whats happening right now... cut out the middleman and the people will pay the bands... what? Give money to those that deserve it? Unheard of.
 
I heard about all the stories about Radiohead's pay what you want download. I went to their website, noticed the pay what you want thing. And then saw they were offering a box set of CD, Records, digital download of CD and additonal bonus CD for 40pounds. Decided I would order that even if its $80 US. i think its pretty cool of a band to name your price. I kept wondering why doesn't a band do something like this and charge really cheap per song or album on their own.

I never understood when I go to a concert and the CD each band is selling costs more than when I go to the store. What kind of stupid promotion is that. I think NiN is very smart for doing this, and hopefully some major bands of each genre start following this path.

My coworker mentioned a really good idea to get around scalpers for concerts. Why not sell these box sets with first in line vouchers to get tickets ahead of time. Wow what a concept for fans of the bands!! Especially after reading about the ticket scalpers/sellers and their methods of getting tickets on dslreports.com.
 
Pigwalk, don't get me wrong - I can understand the attractiveness of a major label for a young musician.

But I still think signing with a record label is a bad idea. First, yes, the record company can bring it's promotional and marketing budget to bear - but are they really going to do that for your band?

Additionally, a contract with a record company is a VERY long term deal and the problem is that the market has changed so much in the past 10 years with the introduction of MP3, why wouldn't it change over the next ten even more radically? Yes, the major labels are bigger, but minor labels and self-promotion are rising stars compared to the labels' dying stars.

Essentially, you have to do the math and figure out what's best for you. Do you go on tour, do 20 shows a year, sell 5 copies of your CDs at shows on average, at $5 profit for each CD.

That's $5000. Okay? Now... how many CDs do you have to sell to get that $5000 on a major label?

Finally, and this is probably the most compelling argument: If you sign with an RIAA-label, I and many other people will simply refuse to buy your product.
 
I auditioned for a band a few years ago (play drums btw) and they told me a really chilling story about how the labels treat bands.

They signed what I call a "Soul Stealer" which meant they signed over every single aspect of the band including their band name, songs, rights, etc. The label then told them that they had spent their advertising budget on a more successful R&B act and they wouldn't be needed anymore and were consequently dropped without the label really doing anything. However, as the band no longer owned anything to do with the band, they would have had to buy back their songs for silly money.

The record companies say that CD sales etc are down which is probably true, but they're just dipping their hand into areas they traditionally never touched in the past. Touring, merch etc are now fair game as far as labels are concerned which is where most artists make their money to live on. I'm personally never going to sign a contract that signs away your sould to the record labels because they can make as many promises as they like and just not fulfil them in the long run.

So I say, good on the big acts for breaking away. People like Prince, Radiohead and NIN aren't exactly short of money, but that's not the point. They're trying to change the industry model and show the labels they need to change the way they treat artists or few bands will sign on with them.
 
Burning_Monk said:
If you play, they will come... :)
Click to expand...

Whatever happened to playing in bars and getting discovered, ala the old days? Instead we have this American Idol crap where they CREATE a band, complete with music written by some corporate drone. As long as the "band" can lip-synch it, or sing what is provided, all is well in corporate music land. Doesn't matter that the band couldn't write a decent song to save their lives.
 
Brian Boyko said:
Pigwalk, don't get me wrong - I can understand the attractiveness of a major label for a young musician.
Click to expand...

A - I'm not that young, just still hopeful.

B - Link Does it sound like we're the kind of band looking for a major label :)

All we want is to finish our album, have CD's, shirts and stickers available for sale, and have a booking manager telling us where to go. Boom, I'm broke until the band splits, but I'm set for life.
 
twonunpackmule said:
Well, this is not how I want my music distributed.
First, I like cover art. I like holding a package in my hand....
Click to expand...

So does Trent. I don't have the exact quotes in front of me, but I believe he mentioned something about this on the Spiral (fan site) a while ago. I bet he will offer both a digital download AND something physical (art, cd, packaging, etc) for those that want it. Can't wait. I just hope that whatever is offered for the digital download (IF that happens) is available in a format that doesn't require certain hardware/software ie I don't have an iPod.
 
i've been listening to NIN since halo 1. tr is the reason i started playing guitar, using computers to record audio, venturing into singing (and failing).

+1000000000000000000 Reznor
 
i think for those who want to buy trents newest album, the last thing to worry about is gettinga half assed MP3 or AAC file.

the only reason i say this is because he released a bucketload of the tracks off YZ and 2 off WT in garage band and sonic (i think) multitrack format - letting you do whatever you wanted with the 100 meg/song download (all distributed over torrents, linked from his site, to TPB... nice.)

regardless of format, physical media or whatever - i will buy it, and go to the shows, only because i have been a fan for as long as i can remember, and my fiance is an even bigger fan - and i don't want to rock that boat ;)
 
Head like a hole.
Black as your soul.
I'd rather die than give RIAA control.
Head like a hole.
Black as your soul.
I'd rather die than give RIAA control.

*headbangs*
 
Reznors already been giving out his songs for free lol. Before YZ was out he was leaving thumb drives with tracks on it and stuff before he openly posted them on the site :p It's his style.
 
Very, very happy to see some popular bands taking a chance and trying it this way. Heck, Prince did it for years and that guy is still around.

Not only is this a slap in the record labels face, but hopefully it give the RIAA a big ol' middle finger
 
It seems like more bands are doing this. I seems like they want more control over their music instead of the music industry telling them. These bands are listening to their fans and they are profiting from it.

"This is the new frontier. This is the beginning of a new era for the music business," Flohr said.
Click to expand...

"I have been under recording contracts for 18 years and have watched the business radically mutate from one thing to something inherently very different, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to finally have a direct relationship with the audience as I see fit and appropriate," he [Reznor] wrote.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top