Timeline: A few months ago Nine Inch Nails released news of a new double album including instrumental-only tracks being release. Out of the 36 tracks, they offered up the first nine as a free preview to download (like a ‘try before you buy’ deal).
This was the second distribution method that Trent Reznor tried which was different than the traditional method. He first attempted something different with Saul William’s new album where there were two options to get the music: Either download it for free or pay $5 for it. It was a test to see if we would people would actually support the artists. As far as I know, the results weren’t that inspiring…I believe only 25% of the downloaders paid for it.
Now, when Nine Inch Nails released their Ghosts album, he hit upon a decent distribution method. He offered up nine tracks for free and then had a download only option of the entire album, a regular CD version, a deluxe set and then the super all-rare set (2500 copies only!) which had a slew of bonus things attached to it. Let’s also remind readers that he brought in (2500 * $300) = $750,000 in two days (minus the costs of creating these things).
Fancy that.
The album was subsequently released onto regular CD about a month ago, people bought it, I bought it, it’s an alright album, nothing really special. But the distribution model really appealed to me.
Not two weeks after the album was released to stores, Nine Inch Nails release two new songs and a message saying “2 weeks.”
Within two weeks, as of today, May 5, Nine Inch Nails has released a new album for free. An entire album, for free, and from the reviews I’ve read, it is pretty darn good. That being said, he also said that there would be a physical release available around July sometime in case you want to ‘support the band’ or just have it on a piece of plastic for yourself.
I applaud Trent Reznor’s testing the waters of the distribution method for music nowadays. I still believe that Nine Inch Nails have such an incredible fan base that he will never lose out in giving away his music for free because his fan base will still buy a physical copy eventually. I would like to see how new bands can use this distribution model to their advantage. I think that you won’t see musicians who make millions off of album sales anymore, but they may hit a wider audience with offering free downloads and a physical copy as a supplement if you so choose to purchase.
Download away: http://theslip.nin.com/
If you feel you would like to support a great artist, then pick up the album when it comes out in July.