Trent Reznor and the Music industry.

For those of you that know me, you know that i'm a HUGE Nine Inch Nails fan, and that I have the utmost respect for Trent Reznor. He has done more for music and the music industry then most people know. below is a repost from an article he posted on his website.

As we approach on-sale dates for the upcoming tour, I've noticed lots of you are curious / concerned / outraged at the plethora of tickets that somehow appear on all these reseller sites at inflated prices - even before the pre-sale dates. I'll do my best to explain the situation as I see it, as well as clarify my organization's stance in the matter.

NIN decides to tour this summer. We arrive at the conclusion outdoor amphitheaters are the right venue for this outing, for a variety of reasons we've throughly considered*. In the past, NIN would sell the shows in each market to local promoters, who then "buy" the show from us to sell to you. Live Nation happens to own all the amphitheaters and bought most of the local promoters - so if you want to play those venues, you're being promoted by Live Nation. Live Nation has had an exclusive deal with TicketMaster that has just expired, so Live Nation launched their own ticketing service. Most of the dates on this tour are through Live Nation, some are through TicketMaster - this is determined by the promoter (Live Nation), not us.
Now we get into the issue of secondary markets for tickets, which is the hot issue here. The ticketing marketplace for rock concerts shows a real lack of sophistication, meaning this: the true market value of some tickets for some concerts is much higher than what the act wants to be perceived as charging. For example, there are some people who would be willing to pay $1,000 and up to be in the best seats for various shows, but MOST acts in the rock / pop world don't want to come off as greedy pricks asking that much, even though the market says its value is that high. The acts know this, the venue knows this, the promoters know this, the ticketing company knows this and the scalpers really know this. So...

The venue, the promoter, the ticketing agency and often the artist camp (artist, management and agent) take tickets from the pool of available seats and feed them directly to the re-seller (which from this point on will be referred to by their true name: SCALPER). I am not saying every one of the above entities all do this, nor am I saying they do it for all shows but this is a very common practice that happens more often than not. There is money to be made and they feel they should participate in it. There are a number of scams they employ to pull this off which is beyond the scope of this note.

StubHub.com is an example of a re-seller / scalper. So is TicketsNow.com.

Here's the rub: TicketMaster has essentially been a monopoly for many years - certainly up until Live Nation's exclusive deal ran out. They could have (and can right now) stop the secondary market dead in its tracks by doing the following: limit the amount of sales per customer, print names on the tickets and require ID / ticket matches at the venue. We know this works because we do it for our pre-sales. Why don't THEY do it? It's obvious - they make a lot of money fueling the secondary market. TicketMaster even bought a re-seller site and often bounces you over to that site to buy tickets (TicketsNow.com)!

NIN gets 10% of the available seats for our own pre-sale. We won a tough (and I mean TOUGH) battle to get the best seats. We require you to sign up at our site (for free) to get tickets. We limit the amount you can buy, we print your name on the tickets and we have our own person let you in a separate entrance where we check your ID to match the ticket. We charge you a surcharge that has been less than TicketMaster's or Live Nation's in all cases so far to pay for the costs of doing this - it's not a profit center for us. We have essentially stopped scalping by doing these things - because we want true fans to be able to get great seats and not get ripped off by these parasites.

I assure you nobody in the NIN camp supplies or supports the practice of supplying tickets to these re-sellers because it's not something we morally feel is the right thing to do. We are leaving money on the table here but it's not always about money.
Being completely honest, it IS something I've had to consider. If people are willing to pay a lot of money to sit up front AND ARE GOING TO ANYWAY thanks to the rigged system, why let that money go into the hands of the scalpers? I'm the one busting my ass up there every night. The conclusion really came down to it not feeling like the right thing to do - simple as that.

My guess as to what will eventually happen if / when Live Nation and TicketMaster merges is that they'll move to an auction or market-based pricing scheme - which will simply mean it will cost a lot more to get a good seat for a hot show. They will simply BECOME the scalper, eliminating them from the mix.

Nothing's going to change until the ticketing entity gets serious about stopping the problem - which of course they don't see as a problem. The ultimate way to hurt scalpers is to not support them. Leave them holding the merchandise. Don't buy from scalpers, and be suspect of artists singing the praises of the Live Nation / TicketMaster merger. What's in it for them?

* I fully realize by playing those venues we are getting into bed with all these guys. I've learned to choose my fights and at this point in time it would be logistically too difficult to attempt to circumvent the venues / promoter / ticketing infrastructure already in place for this type of tour. For those of you about to snipe "it's your fault for playing there, etc... " - I know it is.

2Pac - California Love

The best videos from black artists on The guide this month

2Pac - California Love


This song was requested by wife, if you have a request let me know and i'll put it up and tag you in it for the world to see.

Digable Planets - Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)

The best videos from black artists on The guide this month

Digable Planets - Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)

Arrested Development - Tennessee

The best videos from black artists on The guide this month

Arrested Development - Tennessee




It's funny how you never really realize the Christian overtones in this song until you become a Disciple of Christ, this song is the Jam!!

Haddaway-What is Love?

The best videos from black artists on The guide this month

Haddaway-What is Love?

snap-rhythm is a dancer

The best videos from black artists on The guide this month

snap-rhythm is a dancer

Soul 2 Soul- Back To Life

The best videos from black artists on The guide this month

The Fresh Prince

the first video...The Original

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

the second video...The Gangsta Rap version

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

TGIF: Take on Me

This is actually a really funny parody.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

TGIF Jam: Poison

Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison


Apparently Biv had met my wife when he wrote this song "Never trust a big butt and a smile."

TGIF Jam: Du Hast and

Rammstein - Du Hast (you have/hate)

If any has questions about the subtitles on this let me know and I'll explain them.

Rammstein - Feuer frei! (fire at will)

yes that is Vin Diesel, this song was on the XXX soundtrack

Rammstein - Zerstoren (destroy)

This video is unofficial, but it really fit the theme of the song and that opening is one of the best things in music today.


Next week: one wrong move and you're dead

TGIFJams: All Soulja boy, all the Time

Here are three video's of the same song, each slightly different enough to warranting a view. enjoy and watch your skin get darker.

The Original



The Funny



The Dope Remix



I'm off to buy some Bathin Apes,
-Ryan

Next week: I'm in the mood for Sauerkraut, stay tuned.

Can't Hold Kinetik Down

My Man KinetiK just dropped his new hit "Questions" all over youtube. Give this a listen and tell me Hip Hops dead son. I DON'T THINK SO.

TGIF Jam: DVNO and Stress

This week we're presenting two videos. for one because they're from the same artist but completely different, and two, because I feel like it. So enjoy.

Justice - DVNO


Justice - Stress

The band if french, that's why you're not understanding anything. and because i'm feeling generous.

Justice - Master of Puppets
(About 1:20 in it gets real DOPE!!)


And just so you know i'm not just shamelessly plugging these guys, I have there album and listen to it nonstop, ask Megan, she's sick of it.

Next week, it'll be time to "Crank that"

TGIF Jam: Hypnotize

Fridays are the best day of the week. you can goof all day at work and then go home and kick it for two days. in honor of how awesome Fridays are, ever Friday I'll be posting a new jam.

This weeks song is: Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize

I thought that in honor of "Black Friday" we should have a Black Video. So here is one of the best rap songs ever.



I just love to see the RIDICULOUS amounts of money that were spent on videos back in the day when videos still meant something.

And just because listening to that song got me jonesen for more Bigee here's a bonus Video.

Notorious B.I.G - Big Pappa



NEXT WEEK: Techno/Dance/Electro/another name that means the same thing!!!

TGIF Jam: Deee-lite

Fridays are the best day of the week. you can goof all day at work and then go home and kick it for two days. in honor of how awesome Fridays are, ever Friday I'll be posting a new jam.

This weeks song is: Deee-Lite » Groove Is in the Heart

Deee-Lite |MTV Music

If your head is not bobbin after listening to this then you simply have have no soul. This song would get Christ himself out on the dance floor.



I can find almost any video ever made, so if you have a request let me know and I'll see what I can do. also make sure you check back because you'll never know what I'll pick next week, it could be anything.

NEXT WEEK: A "Black" video in honor of "Black Friday"!!!!

TGIF Jam: Nothing Left

Fridays are the best day of the week. you can goof all day at work and then go home and kick it for two days. in honor of how awesome Fridays are, ever Friday I'll be posting a new jam.

This weeks song is: As I Lay Dying » Nothing Left & As I Lay Dying » The Sound of Truth

now you may be asking your self, "self, why did he post two videos?"

well for a couple of reasons.
1. both videos are awesome
2. "The Sound of Truth" starts right where "nothing left ends at.

Nothing left

As I Lay Dying |MTV Music

and just because i'm a nice guy (and because it neccessary)here are the lyrics to the songs.

This world was never worthy
But how can I call it unfaithful
Every promise was fulfilled
As decay crawled from it's throat
Like the dead rising from an open grave (2x)
Lips of splendor and tongue of deceit
All dying now as our fragile wrists hold only waste

Like those gasping for their last breath
We cannot hide there's nothing left

Like those gasping for their last breath
We cannot hide there's nothing left

(Nothing left) 2x
(There's nothing left)
(Nothing left)

If All my sorrow has led me here
Then I would cry all of my tears
To have this chance again (2x)
And know there's more than this
And know there's more than you

Like those gasping for their last breath
We cannot hide there's nothing left

Like those gasping for their last breath
We cannot hide there's nothing left

The Sound of Truth

As I Lay Dying |MTV Music

We have all heard what we wanted to hear
"Truth" that sounds right to our ears

[Chorus]

[Verse 1]
But what wisdom is there within us
To live based on the feeling of our hearts
How many times has instinct let us down
Never to be thought through
Never to be questioned
Say what you really mean
When your ambition calls you (calls you)
For what use is there, is there in praying
If you will only hear what you want to hear?

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
We speak of fighting to resist this world
But what about the battle within us?
If we have chosen to live against the grain
Then why are we all facing the same way?
There is no difference between us and them
If we all blindly seek truth from sentiments

If you enjoyed these songs check out RadioU they have tons of great songs with a positive, but not preachy message.


I can find almost any video ever made, so if you have a request let me know and I'll see what I can do. also make sure you check back because you'll never know what I'll pick next week, it could be anything.

NEXT WEEK: 90's electro dance music!!!!

TGIF Jam: I Think We're Alone Now

Fridays are the best day of the week. you can goof all day at work and then go home and kick it for two days. in honor of how awesome Fridays are, ever Friday I'll be posting a new jam.

This weeks song is: Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now



This Video is absolutely TERRIBLE. all it is is just tiffany staring into the camera playing with her hair trying to look sexy while she's like 15. luckily this song is THE JAM!!



I can find almost any video ever made, so if you have a request let me know and I'll see what I can do. also make sure you check back because you'll never know what I'll pick next week, it could be anything.

NEXT WEEK: Christian Metal!!!!

TGIF Jam: Regulators

Fridays are the best day of the week. you can goof all day at work and then go home and kick it for two days. in honor of how awesome Fridays are, ever Friday I'll be posting a new jam.

This weeks song is:

Warren G » Regulate THIS SONG IS THE JAM!!!!

Warren G |MTV Music

I love this song because it makes no sense whatsoever. if you really listen to the words you're like "Warren G, what the heck are you talking about?"

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

I can find almost any video ever made, so if you have a request let me know and I'll see what I can do. also make sure you check back because you'll never know what I'll pick next week, it could be anything.

NEXT WEEK: 80's pop!!!!

A Better Awesome Artist You've Never Heard Of

DJ Kinetik is the next Awesome Artist You've never heard of. With beats for days and lyrics that take several rotations to catch everything in this cat is waitin to BLOW UP!!!!
Below is an interview I did with Kinetik. it is unabridged, unedited, and is SOUL SINCERE.

When did you first get into hip hop?
---I first remember "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" by Geto Boys back in like 1991 riding with my mom when we lived in Victorville, California riding in a Chevrolet Astro! And that was it man! Soon as I heard that beat and the way the dude was talkin (rappin) I was hooked. Then I paid more attention to hip hop over the years listening to Outkast, Do Or Die, Bone, Wu Tang Clan, then later Jay-Z real heavy and Snoop. But I didn't want to rap on other people's beats so I started making my own when I was 15 and wrote to them. Been in it ever since.

What were/are some of your influences?
---James Brown! Parliament/Funkadelic, The Police, J Dilla, Kanye, Jay-Z, 2Pac, Weather Report, Human League, Talking Heads, Radiohead, Rick Rubin...uh, John Coltrane, Bob James, George Benson, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius...Gershwin, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Motown music, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder...Jodeci...uh Red Hot Chili Peppers.....man ANYTHING! LOL

What do you think of the state of hip-hop and rap music today?
I think we need more soul in it. Lot of the music sounds plastic to me ya dig? Kinda like its just lacking that SOUL in it. But I like that people are seeing how far they can take the music...hell we got techno creepin in to the music, rock showing its face, more world instruments in the beats! Some people got orchestras on the records like Kanye, some just got FL Studio and some lil video games sounds and freak it like Solja Boy. That's what hip hop is to me! DOIN YOU!

Explain to me the story behind “nap town?”
Naptown is Indianapolis, Indiana (Called Indy, Nap, Circle City as well. I've been here since 2003 and this is my new city I call home and I love it! Living downtown looking at the skyline from my penthouse roof!

Also tell us about "We the Roses?"
We The Roses is from the line in Kanye's "Roses" on Late Registration. I believe in my family and keeping it soulfully together as the fabric of my being so instead of sending flowers, we the roses...the roses you would normally send to the house or funeral home or hospital. We GO there. We ARE there. WE the roses ya dig?

Listening to songs like “I Believe” it sounds like you have a strong faith, what can you tell us about it?
That's a track I got from my boy Rusty Redenbacher.

And basically I have faith in the Lord Almighty to guide my steps in His divine wisdom and glory...that's where my faith lies. And I secondly have faith in my hard work and dedication and creativity and honesty. Its taken me thus far with a lil confidence as well.

note from Lew: this is one of the first things I heard from Kinetik, check the video

Do you have any plans for a tour or an album?
---I try to keep stuff coming out on Facebook, just actually released Kinetik Presents...AD(illa)K Tribute To J Dilla. J Dilla is one of my favorite producers/emcees of all time. He passed a few years back so I'm just rapping on his music. All the beats are by him or from a J Dilla project. I freestyled most of the CD, about 75% of it. Took about 7 hours of recording split into 3 days over 3 weeks. Never forget the experience it was amazing.


Anything else you think our audience should know?
Check me out at http://www.myspace.com/djkinetik and just stay tuned to Lew Lessons! Remember, you're gonna get honest SOUL MUSIC from me. I talk about my life that's how I keep it pure!

I'll continue to post new things from Kinetik as he makes them available. please leave a comment and show my man some love.

L'Chayim,
-Ryan

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Now playing: Kinetik - Killed, Saved, Built
via FoxyTunes