(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is giving fans a unique opportunity to "remix, reinvent and ruin" his newly released single, "Only."
Since June 25, the day the single was officially released, fans have been able to download from the www.nin.com web site the song's master multitracks and use any of four software programs to remix the recording as they wish. At www.myspace.com/ninremixes they're able to upload their remixes, vote for their favorites and comment about their experiences in a blog.
"There is no agenda here other than for you to explore, experiment and have fun with it … I'm looking forward to hearing what you come up with," said Reznor in a note to fans on the site.
The concept was tested a couple of months ago when Reznor made available the tracks for "The Hand That Feeds" in Apple Garageband format. "Last I checked there were hundreds of remixes," Reznor said. "I've enjoyed and cringed at what you've done with my song. Thank you (I think)." That success has led to "Only," which is available in Mac-only Garageband but also Ableton Live (Mac and Windows), Digidesign Pro Tools LE (Mac and Windows) and Windows-only Sony Acid Xpress/Pro. While the other formats present the song in a mix to begin with, the more advanced Pro Tools tracks are unmixed and raw. The Pro Tools version even features the possibility of a fan remix using alternate bits and pieces not heard in the officially released recording.
"This has been a great avenue for Nine Inch Nails to connect with fans," says Courtney Holt, head of New Media and Strategic Marketing for Interscope Records. "After 'The Hand That Feeds' received such a tremendous response, Trent and his fans wanted more. But he wanted it even bigger and broader. So for 'Only' we added more formats, included Windows users, and partnered with MySpace. It's all about providing a community for Nine Inch Nails fans." — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
