Trent Reznor Interview [1994]

This is a collection of short interviews from 1994. There is no on-camera interviewer, a list of topics below.
0:00 - The start of Nine Inch Nails
01:16 - Label
02:28 - Recording process for The Downward Spiral
03:40 - The Downward Spiral as a whole work, not a collection of songs
04:54 - Collaborating with other artists
06:17 - Doing the soundtrack for Natural Born Killers
07:54 - Getting caught up in the hype
08:58 - Accepting his success
09:49 - The constant evolution of his sound
10:48 - How he has developed as a songwriter
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

[@davidlockwood7178]

I remember seeing Bowie say that trent was this kinda short, shy guy who was very softly spoken.. then he started singing and it was just this huge roar

[@cashewcatz]

Omg yea he said "like a scorching demon"

[@Juanvez]

Hurricane 🌀

[@Juanvez]

Life on Mars was a dik

[@Juanvez]

He dance but bite :(

[@Juanvez]

She was a Capricorn little gerl 😊✨

[@4dultw1thj0b]

I love how we're all unanimously attracted to 90s Trent

[@erix43]

I'm a dude and I say Trent is sexy in any age. He's kind of my bro hero. . Lmfao. Look up to em to this day and I'm 37 yr old creative director. His work inspires me to do what I do, but super hard.. . **6 beers deep and doing creative research, lmfao.. **

[@Jessbeyourself]

2018 Trent is still as beautiful 💕

[@erix43]

And so are you my love.

[@rainbowrotcod]

Of course!!

[@Mylo12321]

AlwaysGonnaSing always have been 😍

[@amyhill9127]

Trent is the total package. Brains, good looks ,talented and compassionate

[@UglyMiko]

exactly

[@GnomeChomsky9999]

@Thatthar899Courtney wishes she could blow Trent..

[@krisfrosz133]

I miss this kind of interviews - the candles, no generic background music, no overused superimposed texts on screen. It's so 90's and I love it and I miss it greatly.

[@pytosguinha]

+KrisFrosz133 But you gotta admit the candles are kinda weird.

[@krisfrosz133]

Yes it was at the time but looking back now, the candles give a nice touch.

[@empress9554]

It's cuz Trent loves candles

[@ericsommer1682]

The candles would definitely set the mood for making an album such as The Downward Spiral

[@jonniecandito181]

You'll probably be nostalgic about the lack of augmented reality in today's clips vs the 2030s. Everything is special when it's perceived as rare, which at the time, this format wasnt.

[@isabellasinclair8215]

It's real simping over mid 90s Trent Reznor hours 😔

[@cupiddelocke1813]

He's so hot and soft spoken, when I watch his interviews I get so relaxed.

[@Ravioli-uw9uy]

Love your name

[@matts4750]

Relaxed and very moist obviously

[@carlosreyes5371]

@@matts4750 Pure ASMR

[@daisaigai7]

Back in the days he was suffering from OGRE-ism. Even Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly made fun of him because Reznor tried so hard to look like Nivek Ogre. Nobody liked him. Neither Leeb nor cEvin Key and especially not Sascha Konietzko.

[@matts4750]

@@daisaigai7 Al from Ministry has poked fun at Reznor for the brooding mood

[@quxfoobar]

"I realized it wasn't going to be a big, commercial success-type record." quadruple platinum, lol

[@kirasussane1556]

I have a crush on 90's Trent Reznor.

[@humanperson318]

ME TOO

[@hyperslothradio]

This dude is smart as a whip and I'm so glad to see that he's not "in character" all the time, but is just Trent Reznor, musician.

[@SandraLovesRoses]

I think those are parts of him, less acting, more expressing parts. I know what you mean, though.

[@KhakiBeats]

"The songs come from the same place in my head, but my head changes!". LOVE THAT!

[@SDRUFFA]

Nonsense

[@joeldukes303]

SDRUFFA you are the nonsense

[@synthoelectro]

The Downward Spiral is one of the masterpieces of music. Probably in the history of music itself. The mastery is mesmerizing, the attention to detail and the otherworldly aspect have always blown me away.

[@Jsissom74]

+Almark The crazy thing is it was recorded at the Sharon Tate house...

[@synthoelectro]

Jen ben I know, and it's prob why the entire album gives you chills.

[@jobelthirty1294]

It gives people chills because of how the music was made, not where the music was made.

[@CaptainResident]

Jeni Sissom what does that change?

[@666finnegan]

Best album ever written. Period.

[@patmack2871]

For a soft spoken man he sure as hell can yell

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

I hate meatcanyon and the act man because i hate family guy ok?

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

And it suck bro

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

And i hate 2023 because that year was disappointhing ok? and it suck too

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

And this is for charlie hebdo je suis charlie i am charlie

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

And watch your profanity because you say the h word

[@kael13]

Ive seen a lot more of the cool, relaxed older Reznor that seeing his younger, slightly awkward self gives such an insight to his music.

[@anon4449]

Kael agree so much with this post

[@yasminleveauparis6701]

FUCK MY WHOLE LIFE HE IS SO BEAUTIFUL. I FEEL LIKE I AM WATCHING A LITERAL WORK OF ART TALK!!!!!

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

Hey watch your profanity

[@SeaCryptWeave]

Right?!

[@Aedaes]

-Does Nine Inch Nails exist? -Um...yeah, it does exist

[@mansontakingadicpic402]

MJMissight right?! Like, no shit sherlock!😂

[@Conor2016]

I'm pretty sure the question was meant literally, as in actual nails.

[@Savi1985]

I thank god for bringing Trent on earth.

[@bonmot7850]

your god is dead and no one cares

[@TheSatchrules]

+Liz R Freak!!

[@dwaynep784]

+Steven Klingler SWK it's a reference to a line from a song from the tds.

[@JayJaycubbs]

+Liz R If there is a hell, then stay there.

[@NetPathfinder]

+Liz R You never know...

[@JohnRyan44444]

I sometimes come back to this video just to hear his calm soothing voice. it helps me a lot.

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

You like Linkin Park?

[@tangogrrl]

I used to wonder if he was pretentious and trying too hard to be controversial. But...Comparing this interview to, say the one in 2010, he has really stayed true to his art-- not easy to do. He is indeed a true artist. Being an artist is not the same as being a musician or a painter, it's a way of looking at the world. "I'm more inspired, I guess, when I'm depressed than when I'm happy." Not all artists are like that, but his discomfort shares his honesty. Love your work, Trent.

[@jordanallen1607]

Trent can't see this comment...

[@Bhatt_Hole]

@@jordanallen1607 Yes he can! The flat-earth people report back to him with such things.

[@geslinam9703]

Look back in history at some of the greatest writers, painters, musicians...the majority were not happy people.

[@bigbird7838]

I like 90s depressed Trent …better than happy married trying to make money for his family Trent

[@jesssss12]

He suffered with social anxiety and depression. There’s always madness attached to genius coming from the field of psychology you see it a lot in artists. This is just my personal view, but I think their quirks have an underlying skills that allows them to be good at what they do. Physiologically i don’t know if their brains are unbalanced or different that makes them be like this. All of them, all these artists are the same, take a look across the board. It would be interesting to study their brains.

[@birberking6999]

I love how trent has clearly become far more confident over time.

[@switchcrook]

This guy is too fucking cool

[@bluBlaq33]

90’s Trent was a babe 😍

[@jerryhinds6009]

Yes he was. I think he still is. 🙏✌️

[@justmissjamey]

This guy has always fascinated me...i loved his hair like this

[@lomaxa99]

How can one man be so beautiful?

[@tiffanykane692]

I love '94 Trent. That long hair man.

[@frankzavala8605]

*FINALLY A RAW INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR SNAPE*

[@diglet553]

I never hit that skip button Trent, Downward Spiral blew me away! If he thought that was the disposable age back then, just look at the mess we have today.

[@MrKarmapolice97]

Yes I was 15 when the Downward Spiral came out it was such an important piece of work to me and my friends. I was blown away by this album and have been a fan since. I saw NIN live on The Lights tour which was AMAZING! I was so blown away by the production of that tour.

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

I hate meatcanyon because i hate family guy ok?

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

And it suck bro

[@joaquinvaleri7022]

And this is for charlie hebdo je suis charlie i am charlie

[@atomi62]

His intelligence and charisma just shine through...true artist...uncompromised...

[@aidensinclairw.29]

Trent is the only real man that I actually like. He’s everything I love in a man. He’s smart, sexy, and sweet

[@denkikaminari4826]

Great taste👌

[@stigmatamartyr4223]

He was awkward in interviews back then. It was kinda adorable. Loved the Tori mention too ♥

[@chillipeppersrock]

"I'm not keen on using my music on films." Wins an award later on for the Social Network soundtrack. Crazy how things change haha.

[@smitty4shizzles925]

I love this man. I totally agree with what he says about his work being a chunk of art rather than just singles. All my NIN albums, I listen to them as a whole. I prefer them imported in my phone as one whole file. I never skip songs, the whole album speaks for itself, it tells a story and i feel like that's the best way to listen to NIN, or to music in general.

[@cassidymav]

I think we should keep listening to albums as a whole, as an entity. Tracks that are meant to fill a gap, will always be hollow, that's why I love this man's work so much. A universe, a halo in each release

[@moparbabe72]

I know Garth Brooks and NIN are so different but I bring him up because he feels the same way. Last I knew he didn't want his music on iTunes because he think records should be listened to as a while not just a single

[@jaminjones8784]

Funny hearing Trent say he didn't like the idea of his music being used in movies. Little did he know he would go on to become one of the best / most sought-after film composers in Hollywood. His work score for the Social Network score is probably my all time favorite piece of music for film.

[@Polyruidoso]

That part when he says he could stop cleaning toilets... That hit me hard. Im still in that fase, in that period of my life.

[@cameron2949]

A lot of people I know can't even get through one song without skipping it on their playlist. I've always loved listening to a whole album, and I hope people start to do that again.

[@infpseduction5710]

I know right?I listen to the whole album almost everyday

[@tashietherat7328]

'i'm more inspired when i'm depressed than when i'm happy', i've never known another person who feels like that too

[@lisazoria2709]

omg yes!

[@nathansmith4529]

natasha leigh really? I'm willing to bet half the population feels the same

[@tashietherat7328]

nathan smith perhaps, i’ve not had personal relationships with half the population though

[@Eksayle]

Literally google "links between depression and creativity".

[@TritnewNG]

Trent's my spirit animal.

[@cragnima4503]

it was barely 3 seconds... 3 FUCKING SECONDS AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH TRENT'S SMILE SHIT.

[@BeeXP]

Ah, he's just so attractive. I love his nose

[@rainbowrotcod]

@Douglas Farnsworth It's already married, goofball

[@crazydiamond119]

Holy shit, dude, YES. I've ALWAYS loved his nose, one of his most attractive physical features in my opinion ❤

[@psilogod]

It's interesting hearing Trent talk about how he thought soundtracks were cheap, but how his taste changed after watching the movie with music. Turned out to be a premonition to his future career path besides NIN.

[@SunshineMusic11]

"my head changes so my sounds change"

[@UntitledKirk]

Current Trent looks like he could be the dad of himself 20 years ago... lol.

[@blheir3000]

the third section, about how he struggled with having a concept and then wanting to execute things in a certain specific way, rather than letting it happen naturally, speaks to me. that’s my biggest problem, im way too focused on the thousands upon thousands of details i can’t even comprehend yet, and how they’ll somehow amount to some grand picture. hearing that he scrapped that and things still worked out makes me feel reassured. the evolution of his sound segment was great too

[@froufroudeluxe]

I have the biggest crush on him

[@kellysharp5724]

Ruby-Lou me to hes hot!!!

[@RoxieMarquez_marroxeli]

mine is a 24 year strong addiction....

[@kellysharp5724]

Ruby-Lou so hot ❤him

[@dream_dealer]

Who doesn't!

[@fridgeheaven]

i realized i was gay because of him

[@lamshae6070]

Trent is such an intelligent person who cant really say what he wants to cause his mouth doesnt work as fast as his brain.

[@TheMark1999]

Same. My mouth is slower than my head.

[@slowfuse]

@@TheMark1999 you sound very special and unique

[@nonameman7114]

I wonder if Trent has low latent inhibition

[@TheMark1999]

@@nonameman7114 What is low latent inhibition?

[@nonameman7114]

@@TheMark1999 it’s hard to explain, you’re better off looking it up on Google. It’s a condition where can process a lot more stimuli than a normal person.

[@zomgoodnessih8u]

Trent mentioned soundgarden, Omfg, That would be the best tour ever, NIN/Soundgarden

[@presleybattle9833]

soundgarden wouldnt be the same without chris :/

[@bradoozy]

Damn, what a prophet. Those two bands toured during Hesitation Marks.

[@olivecracker1]

ok, camera's about ready to roll. Quick..... Light the candles...

[@alaididnalid7660]

This is exactly how many women are (camera/visitors etc)...and also Trent Reznor lol. No misogynistic intent but in the end I'm a male who hates candles in fear I will burn down the damn house someday especially now that we are in an era where many other safer ambient lightning options are available. Lightning candles to me is like...living on the edge hahaha

[@vaporeon1606]

I always find it so interesting how a singers voice sounds when singing vs just talking. Trent‘s singing voice imo is very distinctive but his speaking voice is completely different to his singing voice imo

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Very cool interview, Trent at his creative peak. i always find it strange/amusing that he always refers to NIN as "we".

[@allsystemsgo8678]

I think it just gives him something to hide behind by saying it. I would agree he is, or at least was, very insecure. After The Fragile he seemed to change. Maybe it was getting clean or maybe putting on 35 pounds of muscle, lol.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

I think part of it is he has never been recognized as a great songwriter. NIN exploded around the time of some classic bands. You usually don't hear his name in that same breath. I think he was looked at as a guy who hid behind a wall of noise,lol.

[@mtdewramen]

Trulysarcastic44 Many Indie Video-Game artists took inspiration from both his attitude and business logic. Look up Risk of Rain or Mirrors Edge soundtrack, they might not admit it, but i am sure they were. There is nothing wrong with borrowing when it improves on genres.

[@bradoozy]

I disagree that TDS was his creative peak, considering that before it was cut down, The Fragile had 100 songs written for it. Then all that was basically mitigated into the Ghosts records.

[@barneyrubble8255]

The band did contribute parts to the songs, Hard to say who exactly came up with what and where, but i'm pretty sure Trent did not write that bass riff for Closer, that was his bassist and is pretty big part of the song. No doubt his drummer chris vrenna also came up with many of the drum beats and most the samples and sound design on broken and DWS which are also HUGE part of those albums.

[@benmiddleton9984]

truly a very nice, soft-spoken reserved person. A musical genius for his time

[@benlawless9539]

I find this guy to be one of the most interesting people in the music industry. I have nothing but respect for Trent and his work, he's emanating another level of human perception in his work. "Abandon all hope, ye who hit play" sort of thing, I love it.

[@jeremiahthefanboy4324]

I'ma be honest I'm watching this video mostly because 90s Trent is extremely attractive and the other half is I love nine inch nails And wanna hear some of the interviews for them

[@morrisman]

the way he's talking about the industry being dead in 94 and peoples impulsive listening habits...it's very telling, this is pre-internet!

[@morrisman]

@Lucifer before widespread use of streaming services, oh pedantic one

[@pradabears]

the 5 years ago and 5 days ago stat on these comments are doing something to me

[@33elkyeet91]

@@pradabears see you in a year buddy

[@pradabears]

@@33elkyeet91 you too

[@redisnotblue]

"...I was living in Cleveland." ...enough said.

[@freelanceopportunist559]

Trent when he was just a pup.... So cute and small and nervous 😍

[@jaimereynolds258]

Loved being a teen in the 90s. Such great music came out

[@8trakcinema]

his voice is awesome.Could listen to him talk 4 hours.

[@localarsonist4484]

i love him a normal and healthy amount

[@speeglebop]

me when i lie (me too)

[@holymischif]

he is such a babe.

[@JayJaycubbs]

Comments on Trent Reznor Interview (1994) 48% Trent's looks and sex appeal 43% The anonymous music in the background 9% His talent as a musician

[@luisbecerra9199]

tRENT IS EVERYTHNG!

[@mansontakingadicpic402]

Also how he says 'chunk'

[@daytonasayswhat9333]

You’re good at maths.

[@alaididnalid7660]

Well... I'd say composer rather than musician. Maybe there are even more fitting terms.

[@undefined1022]

Seeing his weird mannerisms make him feel so relatable

[@heyitMeMcFlyunfortunately]

he is moving around a lot because while talking he is seeing those things in his mind that he is trying to describe nothing 'weird' about it

[@deepcovergecko]

Damm, trent is so freaking hot!

[@stophate2023]

Such a bad ass. Loved my teenage years in the 90's

[@MishaBADR]

As I more see this, I'm getting more obsessed with his brain, his brain and the way processing while speaking turns me on

[@moparbabe72]

This is so cool seeing this, seeing info his mind in a way. I mean if you go to his shows you see that too. But hearing basically what drives him, what makes him tick, I think of him more as a musical genus now. He is a rock god

[@noahaguinaga987]

He's INCREDIBLE!

[@PsyCodeqz]

I wrote a letter to the girlfriend in 9th grade that introduced me to NIN, on the back of a Trent poster with a blue permanent marker

[@juliennepotato7740]

“I couldn’t find anybody who was thinking the same way, so I could just bitch about it, or do it myself. So I tried to do it myself.”

[@joan8878]

One of my favorite interviews that I can watch over and over again and I love these candles ❤️.

[@miserable6623]

If he (90s Trent Reznor) spit in my face, called me a bitchy piece of shit; beat me for 20 minutes with his microphone; chocked me out with the chord to said microphone; kicked me seventeen times with is steal toed combat boots; and spat in my face, I'd say thank you.

[@8700k3]

oh my god i relate

[@manlymen552]

Wow that's sad 😂

[@trufflleecakkee]

SAME

[@vamnoone]

Omg

[@stroboscopic4023]

ARE YOU GOOD?

[@jeordied]

i love this Fucking guy so incredibly much its insane . i love the way he explains things and just the way he talks its so interesting and nice to listen to

[@altrimnell]

When I originally bought The Downward Spiral CASSETTE it didn't leave my Walkman for 6 months. I was 15 at the time and 27 years later it is still one of my absolute favorite album to listen to.

[@altrimnell]

Pretty Hate Machine is my favorite album to f×@《 to...

[@nightshiftreports3866]

I'm 42 and I still throw on Broken from time to time. It's that good.

[@parker469a]

I'm really glad this is the only video where the closed captioning actually works.

[@EtcEtcAndEtc]

so the budgets went mostly on candles

[@johncliffalvarez6513]

Nine Inch Nails has always been one musical project that I have loved listening to from an album’s beginning to end or on shuffle and always discover something new and intriguing every time. I will eternally love this creative genius.

[@teababies6748]

He says chunk a lot

[@SmileDesignEllsworth]

Holy cow you are absolutely right. So many chunks!

[@teababies6748]

yes..

[@horatiotrismegistus616]

Tea Babies What seems to be the officer, problem?

[@breckynkennedy4148]

hi emilee

[@KourtneyRobinson-uu5gk]

I thought the same thing lol!!!

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

brilliant interview. very down to earth

[@LordOfTheRings897]

I listen to all his albums as a whole. Every song is great. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@iamnotagroupie]

this is a great interview. thank you for uploading it

[@zazuzazz5419]

I love this soft spoken, scathingly brilliant, malleable Lost boy.

[@LordOfTheRings897]

I am so glad Trent exists.

[@jeffmorgan2824]

All the track that where behind sounded so damn good!!! And with Trent's voice... Pure attitude.

[@fireworks_music]

I seriously respect this guy. His music is not my total cup of tea but he knows what he's about and has some wisdom.

[@jager9022]

This. I agree 100%

[@myworldonvideo8721]

Great interview . Trent seems very humble and down to earth

[@luvahadowsdolls]

Hot hot hot

[@pepeman3099]

trent has real depth

[@atomi62]

Great interview...thanks.

[@carlpetersen4351]

He is truly amazing...he gave power that I can only try to pass on . Changed my life .....

[@lifemusic1980]

i remember watching this when it first aired. 😌😌😌

[@romytasol]

He is very handsome and talented!

[@brynleyjones3635]

This man is a legend. Nothing but raw talent and intelligence, and never puts himself out there for attention. A true artist

[@BadazzGregg]

This is a brilliant interview.

[@matteblackfalcon5131]

Last sentence sums up Trent Reznor. Perfect ending.

[@tanadarko6991]

I never listen to TDS as single songs - always listen as the full album. :)

[@user-oz5xb9ed3w]

wow. this is like finally getting that the beatles are great or understanding floyd for the first time. great vid

[@BackSeatYodeler]

Thx for the up

[@emilylibra9838]

Downward spiral is such an amazing piece of work.

[@christophercole4764]

Trent.... your the man!

[@Dukefazon]

It's a really cool interview, thank you for the upload. Trent is much more approachable in these early times I feel. Also the background music is also really nice. I would be scared of those candles all over the place, I'd fear some would fall off and burn the place down or was drip in expensive equipment ruining it.

[@carenc6713]

Thanks for always putting out music that I can relate to and just run to when normal life gets so crazy....Trent you are amazing! and you look more handsome the older you get!

[@matthew2897]

....I like how they play a Korn song..

[@rainbowrotcod]

AHAHAHAHAHAHA