Steve Jobs should forget about all his elbow-rubbing with U2 and John Mayer. Trent Reznor just did one of the coolest things an artist could do, and he did so in a specifically Apple-centric way. He released Nine Inch Nails' new single, The Hand That Feeds, as a 70MB stuffed DMG file containing the entire song in Garageband format with a note from Trent himself. Here's where you can find the download link. In the included note, Reznor writes, "For quite some time I've been interested in the idea of allowing you the ability to tinker around with my tracks - to create remixes, experiment, embellish or destroy what's there. . . . What I'm giving you in this file is the actual multi-track audio session for 'the hand that feeds' in GarageBand format. . . . Drag the file over to your hard disk and double click it. Hit the space bar. Listen. Change the tempo. Add new loops. Chop up the vocals. Turn me into a woman. Replay the guitar. Anything you'd like."
Amazingly cool. I'm going to get started turning Trent into a woman! You should do the same; however, mind the words of Trent: "There are some copyright issues involved, so read the notice that pops up. Giving this away is an experiment. I'm interested to see what comes of it, what issues are raised and what the results are."
Also, it seems to run on Garageband 1, despite Reznor's warning otherwise.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
6-16-2005 @ 4:16PM
ixtapalapaquetl said...
Hot. So very, very, hot. You gotta respect TR's pure intellectual curiosity - "wtf is gonna happen?" Actively encouraging artistic mutation in the age of DRM and RIAA? What a concept! It's high time for this legal niche to grow up, and this could really force some issues.
First time ever that I wish I had a Mac.
PS - word on the street is that Metallica is going to be next to follow suit
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6-16-2005 @ 4:16PM
Rob Knight said...
This is awesome...just awesome. Trent, you rule. (I had to bring back some mid-90's dialect for this comment)
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6-16-2005 @ 4:16PM
Aaron Jacobs said...
I also have to say that this is *really* cool, and I respect Trent a ton for doing it. Now I have to wait until Monday when I can install GarageBand at work. :(
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6-16-2005 @ 4:16PM
Brett said...
I have never really been into NIN, and I definitely think this new song is weak, even for them. HOWEVER, it is extremely cool for any artist to release their pro quality song to the masses to play with! Trent has always attempted to be a musical pioneer, and I think he definitely succeeded with this idea.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Mike said...
Here's a few I made quickly:
http://www.iodine.org/archives/2005/04/thanks_trent.php
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Scott said...
I <3 TR
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
elliott bledsoe said...
trent reznor is another brilliant artist taht realises that in order to be successful he does not need to own (or as usually happens sell off to big companies) every part of his music. he understands that a fan base is stronger when they feel a sense of connection with their idols, and what better way than allowing people the ability to rework the music they love.
now all i need is to convince NIN to use creative commons licences lol :D
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
jeyadev said...
I'm so glad to see that serious professional musicians appreciate Garageband. I work at a Apple Reseller, and its really going to help more people to use Garageband now that Trent has helped out like this.
Thanks Trent !
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Blacklily said...
I loved this idea. What rent did was cool because to him, and established artist this is a loss. At the same time generating word of mouth for the upcoming cd release. I did a couple remixes but one guy actually redid the whole song as elvis with a moulin rouge music base. Only keeping basic rhythm. Check out the collaborations section of iCompositions.com ( http://www.icompositions.com ) to find numerous versions. As a side note this kind of activity goes on regularily among unsigned artists there all the time. A new community for the next generation of music business.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Blacklily said...
wish there was an edit button... many typos in last comment
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
zeroslugfm said...
:) come everyone let's play his little game. Trent you really know how to motivate us. There is no doubt now that GarageBand can be used as a successful sequencer for remixing. Could this be the spark of a new trend in industrial dance music? :) we'll soon see.
sure to make the ultimate fanbase, not making him an idol but making him a peer amongst us all here committed to experimenting with music, as well as those searching for new sounds to hear.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Terry Stump said...
A great evolution of marketing. It really raises the bar for what an artist is putting out there for the high-end consumer of this type of music (DJs, remixers, experimentalists, and other musicians, etc.) and it is brilliant.
Love ya Trent.
mailto:TerryL@interrobangproductions.com
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Destructor said...
Absolutely frakkin fantastic. I didn't think I could love this man more, but he just gets better!
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Gabs said...
Here's mine: http://www.angelchrome.com/mp3s/thtf_angelchrome.mp3
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
david suycott said...
"Steve Jobs should forget about all his elbow-rubbing with U2 and John Mayer. Trent Reznor just did one of the coolest things an artist could do, and he did so in a specifically Apple-centric way. "
give me a break, how far up steve and trents arse is your nose...
yeah the apple-centric way of pure marketing, lite on the substance.
seems to be the way of the USA as of late.
oh yeah peter gabriel amongst others have been doing this a lot longer, so get over it it's old news.
besides there are other aps that sound a hell of alot better and do way more for a similar cost of garbage band, don't get me wrong i am an avid apple user for over 15 years but mediocre is mediocre and the mix of this track off of itunes is very mediocre...if that's the best garbage band has to offer,,,,, ouch.
d
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Deputy Doofy said...
Trent is awesome for doing this. I've already done my first (crappy) remix to his tune, but I'm just glad I was given the option.
Forget Tiger on 4-29. I'm waiting for With Teeth as of 5-3. :D
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Eric said...
Just found out about this last night and couldn't sleep, so I stayed up 'til 4:30 this morning putting this together:
http://www.ericprescott.com/thtf.m4a
This is probably the coolest thing to happen in music since the iPod, IMHO. Probably the closest I've ever been to the career I gave up years ago!
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Casey Kelley said...
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/
You guys are on there for this. Sweet!
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Audiohead.net said...
You can also import the individual tracks from Media folder into Logic Pro.
For more on Trent's recording process, see
http://www.audiohead.net/interviews/nin/
:) Audiohead.net
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6-16-2005 @ 4:17PM
Audiohead.net said...
You can also import the individual tracks from Media folder into Logic Pro.
For more on Trent's recording process, see
http://www.audiohead.net/interviews/nin/
:) Audiohead.net
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