IDOW Extended Interview #10: Trent Reznor & Alessandro Cortini, Nine Inch Nails

-- IDOW Extended Interview #10: Trent Reznor & Alessandro Cortini, Nine Inch Nails --

In January 2012, the I Dream of Wires team visited the Hollywood studio of Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, for a joint interview with fellow NIN member, Alessandro Cortini. Through his continued interest and adoption of cutting-edge electronic instrumentation, Reznor's been witness to the evolution of the synthesizer, from the giant unobtainium of '70s modulars, to the digital "how's the piano sound?" ROMplers of the '80s, right through to the current dominance of computer-based plug-in synthesizers. In our interview, Reznor expresses his enthusiasm for the recent wave of boutique modular synthesizer manufacturers, for having "brought a lot of that magic back into the synth world, that got lost in the Korgs and the Yamahas and the Rolands...." Additionally, Reznor and Cortini offer insight into the influence of an instrument's physical presence, and how for both of them, the process of interacting with hardware plays a crucial role in the resulting sound.

[unciervoenciervado]

The way Cortini is presented is hilarious. Like he just teleported there.

[pjmq]

Trent uses the word resonated in pretty much every interview, i just wish he would say reznorated instead :(

[theuh]

I would love to see Trent and Alessandro do a 3 hour synth session where they make music on the fly.

[JDsgreatz]

trent is one of the VERY FEW musicians who made it without being a sellout, he either does it his way or doesnt, its beautiful.

[cooptrol]

This video is the proof that Trent speaks in tune.

[dynarec]

Alessandro Cortini makes astonishingly good ambient/drone analog albums

[stalkerinis]

No wonder Trent's music is so intresting, It came from a true hobbyist, who is passionate about his stuff. Respect!

[salame]

Does it look like fucking bells? Haha Trent is awesome

[EcksPression]

These guys know what they are talking about. Great artists. 

[adamdam]

I really admire how Trent can create absolute chaos in a song and also find beauty and calm within it. I've always said he is amazing at taming sound and what he creates is limitless. Truly an inspirational and pure artist to his craft. Massive respect.

[SectionF]

"Does it look like fuckin' bells?". 

[KolbjornLyslo]

12:24 - This brings me to tears. I persuaded my mother to buy a second hand MS20 at a local music store for 50 euros when I was 11, in 1987. I remember this day clearly. After I went to bed I stayed up. And when I heard my parents went to bed, I waited for a while. Powered on my new synth and started turning the knobs. After a while I put my headphone cable between the keys... what a world of souds I could produce. I just hope kids these days get an experience like that.

[thetechmanreviews]

Wow, Trent is my idol and inspires me to do great things in life. Him and his music changed me.

[anniesamuel]

I love that there is a tuner in the background picking up the sound of the guys' voices and trying to work out the pitch!

[no_spill]

ahhh look at all those amazing things I can't afford.

[karyls]

Trent is an amazingly talented artist, and is still my favorite concert I have ever been to.

[kevinspeight]

All hail TRENT but he looks like the model on the “Just for Men” box...

[LaraSchilling]

I also agree with Trent. Alessandro and his synth on the snare is just him!
Another reason why I fell in love with Modwheelmood in the first place and have followed Alessandro's music since.

[jonathanstettler]

I could listen to TRent talk about synths all day. 

[breakingsincity]

"Does it look like fuckin' bells?"