Checking in with Places Parallel...

Well it's been another couple of weeks and a whole lotta nothing is still going on but I thought I'd drop back in to share what's been entertaining me thus far this weekend.

Trent's Digg Dialog interview
You can watch it as a whole here:

Or they've convienently split it up into the individual sections by question. Several questions were pertaining to the NIN business model / distribution methods, which I would normally be all over because the "how do they do that" facinates me, but I've got an attention span of a gnat these days and this interview is 40 minutes long. He gives good arms though. For those of you who would rather just skip to the good parts I recommend checking out "most embarrassing song on your ipod" and "is there tension between Rob and JMJ on Scientology". Oh and the "what are your favorite video games" just because Mr. Iris has turned me into a bit of a gamer.


Josh Freese's $20,000 solo album
So on March 24th, Josh Freese released his solo album called "Since 1972" along with a crazy pricing scheme. What's even crazier though is that one fan with too much disposable income / allowance bought the $20,000 version which included such things as "Maynard James Keenan, Mark Mothersbaugh from DEVO and I take you miniature golfing," "I write 2 songs about you," and "Drum lesson OR foot and back massage". No doubt it would be a pretty awesome experience but doesn't this kid know there's a recession going on? I contemplated the $50 version which included a personal phone call from Josh but decided to settle for the sensible $15 copy.  What would I really have to say to Josh Fucking Freese anyway?  Don't be weird about it?  I do have a Twitter friend who opted for the $250 copy and had lunch with the man and his girlfriend. I'm trying to get here to share her experience here with us.

Indigneous: "Broken Lands"

I bought the latest album from one of my very favorite blues-rock bands, Indigneous, and have had it on non-stop repeat all. day. long.  If you're not listening to this, you should be.  I've followed this band for several years but I'm always hesitant to buy new albums from them.  I have three and I've loved each individual one so intensely that I'm always afraid that their next one will hit that sour note or that their sound will change just enough that it won't move me.  So far, thank God, my fears have been unfounded.  Mato Nanji's voice is just so smooth and it absolutely slays me along with his guitar-playing.  Here's a live recording of "Come On Home" from their previous album, "Chasing the Sun".  The quality is a little rough but still... *swoon*

If things work out I just might be seeing them here in a few months. Fingers crossed!

That about wraps things up for me.  What has everyone else been up to?

Good News & Bad News

A few weeks ago Trent hinted at, but did not elaborate on, a change up not only for the stage production but also the current lineup as we now know it. Good news is that Robin is definitely NOT going anywhere. Bad news is that it can now be confirmed that Alessandro Cortini, along with Josh Freese, will be leaving the band after the first of the year.

From blindoldfreak.com, one of Alessandro's side projects, he posts:

thank you.

December 13, 2008

It’s been exactly 4 years since i joined Nine Inch Nails and the time has come for me to move onto new things.

I feel a need to explore other paths in music and life which leads me to leave the tour at this stage.

I am grateful of the chance i was given: it doesn’t happen every day to be able to work next to some of the most talented people on this planet.

Trent & Co. have been aware of this decision of mine for a while now and are prepared to take the band to the next step.

Thanks to all the fans who welcomed me at the beginning of my journey and supported me through the years: I hope to see you around here or there.

Alessandro

And from Josh Freese's MySpace blog:

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Why I'm leaving Nine Inch Nails

So, I've been wanting to write something for a while now explaining why I am leaving Nine Inch Nails at the end of the year. Not that it's THAT big of a deal or important compared to other real shit going on out there in the world but I figured I'd take a minute out to explain anyhow. I know a few people are aware that I'm having my 3rd child in January and basically....that about SUMS IT UP!

I've just been gone too damn much lately and if I hadn't spent so much time on the road in recent years (between NIN, A Perfect Circle, Devo, Sting, The Vandals) coupled with having 3 kids (come January) then I'd still be out on the road in the new year. It's just that the rate that NIN has been touring (and will continue to tour in 2009) is something that I can't keep up with right now. My kids need their Dad around and I want to be around for them. I am definitely not retiring or "done touring" by any means though. I just need to be home a bit more next year.
I am not leaving because I got a better offer from another band or because I don't enjoy it.....it's one of my favorite situations I've ever been involved with and I already miss it (though we still have 5 more shows to play).

If you saw a NIN show in the past 3 years then you'll know that to say I LIKE playing up there is an understatement and that I give it my all every night. It's much more than a "job" or a "gig" for me. I'm a big believer in Trent and his music and feel fortunate and privileged to have had the chance to work along side of him and be a part of what he does for the past three years. It is something I am truly proud of and he makes most the other ones out there feel pretty small time. I have faith in the notion that we'll work together again at some point, in some fashion. But for now I need to go teach my 7 year old boy how to ride a bike.....nothing can really compare to that (except maybe an all night hotel coke session with some hookers.)

Josh

While it's nice to know that both are leaving on good terms, unlike the blowout with jeroME that landed Josh the job in the first place, they are leaving some big shoes to fill. Alessandro...Josh...it's been great watching you guys do your thing with Nine Inch Nails and you will be missed.

**EDIT**
Here's some video from the show last night in Vegas of Trent's speech to the audience.

And here's an interview conducted pre-show by a fan from the website Pink Is The New Blog. This is seriously one of the best Trent Reznor interviews I think I've ever watched. Subjects include end of the tour, what's to happen after, Trent's music listening habits, old videos that have surfaced via YouTube, and, what Maise will probably think is the best part of the whole thing, missing his dogs at home. Kudos to the boys who put it together for asking good questions and reasonably maintaining their cool. Enjoy.

Trent Reznor Interview, 12.13.08
by trentisthenewpink

Oh and if you're wondering about the link under the video (Trentisthenewpink) it's not a reference to El Rez. Just so happens that the kid who runs the site is also named Trent.

Fade to Black

So we hear the current NIN lineup could very well be at its end. Well I didn't want to see them go without some sort of little tribute so I did what I do best: bad fan art. What? You didn't think I was done with all that nonsense, did you?

In all seriousness though, it's been a job well done, boys.

Jeordie White

Alessandro Cortini

Josh Freese

Aaron North