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# Trent Reznor Abandons D.I.Y. And Returns To A Major Label
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/trent-reznor-abandons-diy-and-returns-to-a-major-label/
- Published: 2012-09-24T13:20:32.000Z
- Updated: 2012-09-24T13:20:32.000Z
- Description: Celebrated singer-songwriter and music producer Trent Reznor has been an independent recording artist ever since he left Interscope Records in 2007. After founding his own record label in 2008 and. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2012/09/trent-reznor-abandons-diy-and-returns-to-a-m
- Author: admin
- Tags: DIY Advice & Tips, Indie Music, Major Labels, Vinyl, Cassettes & Retail, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:49

[![Trentreznor300](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2017c321b0417970b-150wi "Trentreznor300")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2017c321b0417970b-popup?ref=hypebot.com)

Celebrated  
singer-songwriter and music producer **Trent Reznor** has been an independent  
recording artist ever since he left Interscope Records in 2007\. After founding  
his own record label in 2008 and releasing music independently, the Academy  
Award winning musician has reverted back to the majors for help in **releasing**  
**his latest project through Columbia Records**, pointing out that “complete  
independent releasing has its great points, but also comes with shortcomings.”

[![Howtodestroyangelshtdapng-1348439380](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2017d3c493775970c-150wi "Howtodestroyangelshtdapng-1348439380")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2017d3c493775970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)

The former Nine Inch  
Nails frontman's new group, [How to Destroy Angels](http://howtodestroyangels.com/?ref=hypebot.com), is a collaborative project  
with his wife Mariqueen Maandig and frequent collaborator Atticus Ross (whom he  
helped score *The Social Network* and *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* with). The  
group’s second EP entitled “An Omen” is set to debut on November 13th  
digitally and on vinyl containing six songs. The release will be followed up  
with videos and live concert dates, as well as a full-length release due out next  
spring.

Reznor wrote on  
[his Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/treznor) that this release, as well as the group's "next series of  
releases," would be made available in “partnership” with Columbia Records.

“Regarding our  
decision to sign with Columbia, we’ve really spent a long time thinking about  
things and it makes sense for a lot of reasons, including a chance to work with  
our old friend Mark Williams,” Reznor wrote. “There’s a much more granular and  
rambling answer I could give (and likely will in an interview someplace) but it  
really comes down to us experimenting and trying new things to see what best  
serves our needs. Complete independent releasing has its great points but also  
comes with shortcomings.”

Reznor’s use of  
the word "partnership" indicates that the group hasn’t signed a  
complete 360 deal and is more likely involved in a 50/50 or a record-to-record  
deal. The shortcomings that Reznor is referring to that come along with “complete  
independence" may mean that Reznor is perhaps seeking commercial radio  
play for his How to Destroy Angels project – something that major labels like  
Columbia can certainly help in attaining. This makes sense for Reznor, for it  
was terrestrial radio that attributed to NIN's commercial breakthrough and made  
room for their incredibly high sales figures and worldwide tours.

Still though, this  
partnership comes as a bit of a surprise considering how outspoken Reznor is in  
his skepticism of major labels.

"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," Reznor said after his  
contractual obligation with Interscope ended back in 2007.

The musician has  
also been one of the strongest voices advocating the D.I.Y. route for musicians  
and has been seen to regularly share his advice for independents to distribute their  
work. In fact, Reznor's name has been quite synonymous with "DIY"  
over the years as a go-to example of an artist that has worked to build a fan  
base over time and relies on close personal connections with fans to monetize  
his art.

Ever since his  
split with Interscope, Reznor has released and sold all of his recordings (even  
*The Social Network* soundtrack) through  
his own website and social networks – retaining all of his royalties. While he  
will now be giving up a piece of the pie to Columbia, Reznor seems to find enough  
value in what the major label “machine” will provide for his latest project to  
justify the exchange.

—

***Hisham Dahud*** *is a Senior Analyst for Hypebot.com. Additionally, he is the head of Business Development for [Fame House](http://famehouse.net/?ref=hypebot.com) and an [independent musician](https://soundcloud.com/hishamdahud?ref=hypebot.com). Follow him on Twitter: [@HishamDahud](http://twitter.com/hishamdahud?ref=hypebot.com)*