Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (NIN) Break Down Their Most Iconic Tracks | GQ
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails break down their band's most iconic tracks, "Hurt," "Head Like a Hole," "Closer," and scores from 'The Social Network,' 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' 'Watchmen,' Pixar's 'Soul,' and newest film 'Challengers.'
Read Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' GQ Global Creativity Awards profile here: www.gq.com/story/trent-reznor...
Director: Kristen DeVore
Director of Photography: Grant Bell
Editor: Gerard Zarra
Guest: Trent Reznor; Atticus Ross
Producer: Sam Dennis
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: James Pipitone
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Talent Booker: Dana Mathews
Camera Operator: Shay Eberle-Gunst
Sound Mixer: Kara Johnson
Production Assistant: Fernando Barajas
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Additional Editor: Jason Malizia
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
00:00 Nine Inch Nails Most Iconic Tracks
00:15 The Social Network
05:03 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
07:56 Hurt
10:40 Hurt (David Bowie)
11:47 Watchmen
14:19 Head Like a Hole
17:23 Soul
21:48 Closer
23:51 Challengers
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This video's title is 100% clickbait, the video has NOTHING to do with NIN's most ironic songs, it's about the soundtrack to some boring movie that no one cares about
Watchmen was in 2009. I expect my editor's fee to be DM'd with the week..
@@Panama_RedThe movie of Watchmen was in 2009. The miniseries of Watchmen, which Ross & Reznor scored, was in 2019.
@@Angelvox23🤦♂️ hard L for me... I'll return my editor fee in the morning
I can assure you many people definitely care..Why post if not a fan?
"Albums that become my favourite I don't get the first time I listen to it" = This is so true.
The best things in life are acquired tastes
Agreed.
I felt exactly that way about The Fragile. As a young NIN fan I wanted more Downward Spiral, but after listening to what *it* was, I fell in love with it over time.
Same thing with movies for me. That second or third view/listen and it all clicks.
@clippedwings0 100% I grew up on Pretty Hate Machine, Broken, Downward Spiral. The Fragile seemed more commercial and not as "raw" upon first listens. But, as I began listening to it while studying for school.. and other times learning more to fall into meditative music allowing me to focus and reflect more.. that's when I really fell in love with The Fragile. To this day, it's my favorite NIN album and I think it's their best masterpiece. Nowadays, simple soundscape tracks like "Another Version of the Truth" and "Together" just bring tears to my eyes and remind me of the fleeting time we have here to be alive.
Never forget he made the whole soundtrack for Quake and voice the iconic main character, in which he provided his services for free because of his love for the game.
Thanks for the "huhh!" Trent!
QUAD DAMAGE
This. Every documentary/interview about NIN should bring up Quake.
I didn't know that?????!!!!!!
SO sad they never mentioned Quake
Trent is a very private person that rarely gives interviews. This video is really a treat
Atticus also.
He does interviews more than you might be aware. Last year, he did a 2hr interview with Rick Rubin and a 1hr interview with Halsey. In 2021, an hour on the Difficult Artist podcast. In 2020, he did a 45min interview about Watchmen with The Hollywood Reporter, and an hour on DP/30. He opens up both personally and professionally.
@@AustinTolin no need to get snooty, that is still not a lot by some standards. Point is, he doesn’t talk to media very often, at least not in the way he once did. Instead, he’ll do a major in-depth interview once a year or so. I trust that you understand what the original commenter meant.
@@OrangeJews1138 so he proved OP wrong and you call him snooty? Weirdo
@@AustinTolin I wouldnt call that a lot to me, especially today. But I didnt know all of those. Its fairly limited. Last one I watched was years ago and had his wife in it. Popular media figures get interviewed all the time.
It's always nice to see Trent smiling.
I know!!! I love it too!
As a very longtime NIN fan, I feel like I've never seen the guy at 21:06
next step: wearing a color other than black lol
Even evil psychopaths can fake smile. How interesting.
@@danielp5010He is neither of those things!💀
These two coming together is one of the greatest gifts to the music universe. They need to write the music for everything.
Absolutely 👍
really? I think Trent was better before they got together
@@thatguyinaband6341So they are married??
@@thatguyinaband6341 he's always been great, this is just part of his natural evolution.
@@TheAlam0 lol, I mean artistically
I could listen to Trent talk about his music all day
well you're in luck cause he likes to do that! 😉
FRRR I love hearing the thought process behind all the stuff he's made / worked on
All day !!!!!!
Ha, that's exactly what I thought as I was watching. I rewound a few times to make sure I heard exactly what he said.
The fact that Gone Girl isn’t discussed is a tragedy
And Lost Highway
You'll never see this, Trent, but just know.. songs like Closer and Hurt may be your hits, but I live for the tracks like The Great Below, The Persistance of Loss, Leaving Hope. So many unsung heroes of songs that have helped me through life. Thank you.
The way out is through. Even deeper
sometimes I just listen to The Great Below and cry, it cuts so deep
The Great Below is monumental.
I appreciate the mention of tracks off of Still. Leaving Hope is one of the saddest instrumental songs I've ever heard
@tjg121389 100%. A Warm Place is another instrumental, inspired by a David Bowie Japanese Whiskey ad, its phenomenal
If this was just Trent Reznor I would have loved to hear him talk about Quake.
I was hoping against hope they would cover the soundscape and ambience of that game.
I would listen to that soundtrack in my car in high school. Loved those atmospheres.
If I'm not mistaken, that soundtrack is mostly made by Chris Vrenna and Charlie Clouser, and Trent didn't get as much involved as he would have liked.
My favorite cassette tape of all time. So dark and atmospheric
If you're not already watching _Shogun,_ Atticus is the composer for it.
Hilariously, I started watching it and kept thinking "whoever wrote this soundtrack really likes Nine Inch Nails". Then I finally looked it up. Duh.
Wow that just made it so much better than it already is
Totally didn't know this, but now I can hear it!
I had no idea. How cool!
AMAZING SHOW
Personally, I think The Fragile is his masterpiece. Superb album.
Wow, so many memories with that one.
Agreed!
Can’t argue that
I’m glad Trent beat his demons and is still around to make incredible music.
Growing up in the 90's, I used to listen to NIN like everyday. Their (his) music still sounds "new" even today
💚
I still listen to nin everyday
Yes. That is the soundtrack to my childhood.
11:11
Definitely timeless. Trent is a true original, which is a rare thing
That SOCIAL NETWORK soundtrack is truly something special. Lightning in a bottle type situation. Nothing quite like it before, and while there have been imitators, nothing has come close to accomplishing what it does. A perfect collection of music that resulted in a nearly perfect film. I listen to it often and its impact never dulls.
In the Hall of the Mountain King, jams
The Gentle Hum of Anxiety is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard.
Legit
The tone it helps create is so entrancing. A rare movie that I like to rewatch every few years.
I feel like Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is so unique that it stands out more in my mind.
That remixed version of Closer in the opening credits of SE7EN is still one of my all time favorite tracks.
Yeah that track is amazing. It completely sets the tone of that film.
Yes!
That remix was created by the group Coil. Even most of the sounds in it were there's. It's a shame that the film producers did not give them the proper gredit and fans to this day think Trent Reznor made it. It was released on the Closer single as Closer (precurser).
Atticus: Doesn't have enough bleeps Trent: Doesn't have enough bloops
That's a goldmine for us NIN fans
Reznor is the greatest musician alive today in my humble opinion. Brilliant mind. Love his music. NIN and soundtracks, all of it. A true gift for introverts like me
Those moments when you click ‘play’ immediately x
Trent just feels so relatable. I have never seen or heard an interview where he sounded anything other than authentic. His music has been part of my life’s soundtrack. Appreciate that so much.
I know he has a lot to cover, but The Fragile is one of the best double disc albums ever. One of a handful of his masterpieces. Sorry to see it wasn't on here.
One of my favorite albums of all time
My favourite NIN album.
Reznor’s magnum opus. Hands down.
its literally perfect.
The only way this video would be perfect is if they discussed the entire discography lol
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is probably my favorite trailer for a movie ever. Most of the people going to see the film already knew what it was about so the trailer focused on giving us the FEEL of the movie. And a big part of it was that amazing version of the Immigrant Song. And throughout the trailer the house is getting closer and closer. All the evil is going to go down there. And at the end of the trailer the music is surging until it feels like its punching you in the face. Absolutely beautiful.
Such an excellent cover. I was kind of disappointed they didn't touch on that or working with Karen O!
Fincher, being a sort of control freak just like Trent, is always involved in making trailers for his movies, and it always shows.
Still one of my favorite films ever. I remember watching it in the theater with my dad when he was still alive.
Truly an underrated movie ❤
When Pretty Hate Machine came out my Senior year of high school I knew Trent as gonna be big. After Downward Spiral I knew he was going to be one of the most important musicians if my generation. What him and Atticus have down for film and television is every bit as important as NIN. Pushing boundaries is an understatement
He peaked with Downward Spiral and every subsequent album was either mediocre or kinda bad. Glad he started doing scores because I think it’s a better avenue for his creative expression.
@@octagonseventynine1253😂 he "peaked" and then went on to create some of the best scores outside of Hans Zimmer. You 🤡
@@octagonseventynine1253 The Fragile is mediocre or bad? Pitchfork should hire you.
@@octagonseventynine1253 kind of like how you peaked as an afterbirth stain
@@octagonseventynine1253The Fragile has entered the chat….
My goth dads are back 🖤
If you ever feel down or sad just remember, we were born in same time that these two geniuses blessed our ears
Trent Reznor is an actual living legend! FACT!
Can't believe they didn't include The Perfect Drug here.. to date one of their best songs.
I was so lucky to see Trent and David together live. Amazing show.
I loved how Atticus had so much to say in this video.
Not to diminish his contributions to the talk but Atticus sounds like depression personified.
Stupid@@obsoletecd-rom
@@obsoletecd-rom The English accent??
@@BeegableRockslow speech, always looking like he's just getting by, looking like he doesn't want to be wherever he's doing an interview, etc
@@BeegableRock no. Of course not. Just his overall demeanor and body language. The slow cadence and unassuming tone.
I've been back into the Nine Inch Nails catalogue recently and yesterday I watched a lot of GQ "actor breaks down roles" videos.... this video dropping 30 minutes ago has blown my mind!
Thank you for manifesting this for us
trent and atticus are so cool together, you can tell these two really dont mind spending a ton of time together just exploring music
For me there are three fav songs by NIN. -The main theme for the game Quake. -You Know What You Are? (used in the movie Doom) with drums by Dave Grohl - And Reptile - You can hear so much pain behind Trent's singing. 90's industrial metal was something else.
No way you got these two legends together. These guys are gonna be in the textbooks one day. My teenage years would never be the same without NIN, thank you Trent.
I think you're playing loosey goosey with the word Legend for the tag-a-long Ross lol smh
@@hereinsideisthemetal5841 nope
Been lucky enough to see NIN live three times across twenty-five years, and all three sets ended with Hurt. It's impossible to not feel a wave of emotions when Trent performs the song.
Lucky... I got to see them once but didn't get to hear hurt live because the concert got rained out. But I remember that set so vividly. I was in an absolute trance, I barely moved around.. Can't even call it a concert honestly. It was a full blown experience
The social network soundtrack is something that's stuck with me for years. Really cool to see all of the insight into it here.
Hand covers bruise
yep the "title" hand covers bruise is an amazing start to the movie
the soundtrack really adds to the gravity and drama of the scenes. It adds such emotional depth; it's breathtaking
Agree! This is their only soundtrack that I still listen to beginning to end, no skips.
I’ve never seen Trent smile. And here he does like three times!
Trent calling someone intense has got to be a high water mark for them.
I like how Trent's honest with his anxiety and self-doubt. Creative types are like him in thus way a lot of times. I feel like they have one foot in other dimensions😏👍🏼✌🏻
I could listen to Trent talk all day. What a chill and insightful dude.
No words can describe how much Trent and his music means to me.
I hope That One Guy In Tulsa sees this
Same. All the early 80-90's days of NiN seem defined by his aggressive self-loathing, rockstar-persona and all, but it's interesting to hear that even back then, Trent truly cared for what he was doing as a musician in much the same way he seems to do now as an older adult. Really hope that guy in Tulsa will find this video.
Trent is just brilliant musically. The directions he takes things are unique and original. He's a true musical genius.
PLEASE DO MORE MUSICIANS/BANDS FOR THIS “breaking down” series…. I would love to see more bands like Tool, System of a Down, Korn, Metallica, Marilyn Manson, Foo Fighters, etc
Trent Reznor multi platinum record selling artist, has won multiple Grammys and Oscars. Saying we barely know enough to keep getting hired. Imposter syndrome is a heck of a thing.
I wasn’t a NIN fan until I heard the social network soundtrack and now I’ve retroactively become huge fans of these two. They’re the best composers working today
The intro for Se7en was something i obsessed over. The sound, visuals - just amazing. Hurt painted my teenage years. Awesome musicians.
Trent’s artistry is so inspiring.
I still remember the first time hearing _Pretty Hate Machine_ just after it'd dropped in 89'. One of the best albums I'd experienced. And I think the secret - if there is one - is that that music speaks to you and continues to evolve as you get older, reinventing itself. Still occasionally drive down the street, blasting _Head Like a Hole_ to this day.
Same!
Pretty Hate Machine is such a classic, along The Downward Spiral
Amen. It felt like the lyrics were mine when I was 16. I’m 48 now, and it stills feels like the lyrics are mine, but in a different way than they did then.
@@drexyspivey true
@@drexyspivey so true! They still resonate, somehow. They never feel immature or childish.
Always love how trent can be simultaneously super humble about his success but also appreciative of what makes his art special.
It's curious. NIN was always Trent. All interviews were just with Trent. Now NIN is Trent and Atticus. Obviously, this is an awesome turn of events, but after so many decades, it's odd seeing two people interviewed for NIN.
Same thoughts😅
He got tired of being the only guy. He likes having someone to challenge him and bounce ideas off of that he respects. Or so he's said. I would like to hear another just Trent project to see what would come of it now.
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is an absolutely amazing soundtrack.
Trent and Atticus separately are musical geniuses on their own, but the two of them together are what words can't describe. I love hearing about their creative process. Great interview GQ!
trent making lil dad jokes. so cute
Im 41 now but remember vividly as a kid in middle school walking into a friends room who was asleep but had "a warm place" playing on his stereo. The mood it instantly put me in was unforgettable.
I listened to a compilation of their film scores as I was on a train ride through the Swiss Alps. Suddenly it began to snow. The music and the visuals - the natural beauty outside becoming blanketed in white - was so overwhelming, I began to weep. A moment in my life I’ll never forget.
Trent can definitely make you feel the way he wants to on his songs. Such a great talent
I will now go see Challengers--based solely on the fact that they did the score.
Trent has aged so gracefully. So handsome. Always was and even more now.
I will always find it amusing, and I say this with all due respect to Nine Inch Nails because I adore them, that the same guy who wrote the soundtrack for Soul (an animated movie geared towards children), years earlier wrote "Closer". And it's their biggest hit.
I find it even crazier that the same person wrote both Happiness in Slavery and Only. Talk about ends of the spectrum...
Trent as real as it gets
Epiphany cured my depression. That song spoke to my Soul like no other and came to me when I needed it most. Thank you Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
The fragile, add violence, the slip, ghosts, year zero .
Trent is a musical genius, simple. NIN is where is started, but for raw emotion that speaks to you, any score that he has written is where its at. I watched "Soul" and realized I knew that "sound" and the composer was Trent. Yea, modern day...mozart?
Natural Born Killers is one of my favorite soundtracks and Downward Spiral is still my favorite album.
Closer is genuinely one of my fav songs. There's this overwhelming sexiness which makes the song feel very high quality.
You must be a stripper. JK...
Which is ironic because it's a about someone who is empty inside and only acts on animal instinct
“And Atticus Ross. And Atticus Ross. And Atticus Ross.” -Jonah Hill to Howard Stern
The Fragile got me through 1st grade
The more you study music and get to understand it, the more you realize some just have it. Plain and simple. It can’t be explained. Even after learning all of these things and becoming jaded, I still listen to what Trent has made and it just floors me.
It's nice to see him happy & relaxed and passed thru his bad times
Ok ok.. I'm here for this one
The Soul Soundtrack with Jon Batiste and Trent and Atticus was just absolutely stunning. Watching it with my keiki and seeing her fixed to the movie and me bawling my eyes out because of the fabulous music. Pure magic.
The Fragile was one of the albums “that became my favorite but I didn’t quite get the first time I listened to it.” It’s since become my favorite album of all time and has inspired me so much musically! Thank you for that Trent!
True art!
The Downward Spiral had a tremendous influence on my as a young adult musician in the 90's. It taught me that "heavy" didn't always mean aggro and powerful. Heavy could be emotionally vulnerable. Heavy could be anger and sadness. Trent's brilliance redefined where the lines could be drawn for quote/unquote "heavy" music for me personally. For that? I'll be eternally grateful. ❤🔥
The dragon tattoo score is underrated!! I constantly listen to it. To this day, I wish they made the sequels !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see a longform NIN interview, I click it immediately. It's always a pleasure to hear what Trent has to say, about anything really, but especially about some of my favorite things he's done. He's a treasure. NIN is a treasure. We're lucky to have both.
great to see Soul here, watched it recently and loved their music for it
Has to be the Watchmen TV series. Epic
7:55 That whole section about 'Hurt' is just awesome. Even though I've read about the details in the past, hearing him speak about it with emotion just hits differently for some reason.
I’ve listened to downward spiral so many times,I’m glad they posted this video. It’s one of the greatest albums of all time.
Soul was an incredible kids movie with an even more incredible soundtrack because of these two. Long time NIN fan, I listened to The Downward Spiral and Fragile on repeat when I was in labor because it helped me breathe during contractions. Sang and danced to The Fragile to my newborn to help her sleep and still do 14 years later! ❤ Thank you Trent and Atticus for giving us incredible music ❤
Trent Reznor is a genius
I've been listening to nin for years and had no idea Reznor scored this many films
He’s doing several a year now
Closer is probably one of my favorite songs ever. Just a lot of sounds going into your brain all at once
Listening to that song high for the first time was an awesome experience, I had heard the song like a thousand times but then I heard things I hadn’t heard before
This is another group that it Pays to listen into their music; not just one dimension of
Trent Reznor is the writer of my life soundtrack 😅 Without The Downward Spiral I wouldn't have made it through high school
I love Trent Reznor he is such a brilliant musician. He is still relevant over 30 years after his first album. His live shows are still intense and full of energy. He never stops growing and evolving. 🖤
If this is the first video about musicians and their iconic songs, that is great idea, hope it continues
Trent's ability to create songs that hit your core is something very few artists can really achieve. It's so authentic and therapeutic. Hurt is one of, if not the most powerful modern songs ever written. In my opinion. It is pure, cold, human emotion, put into a glass bottle. Both of these guys have produced some of the best music of the last 30+ years without a doubt.
These two are my favorite composers of all time. I could listen to Trent talk for hours about these kind of stuff, behind the scenes, how did it happen, choice of instruments and key decisions in general, etc. Personally, for me, I can't help finding it all to be so fascinating, but most importantly the way their compositions can convey a vast array of emotions while staying instrumental, most of the time. I think they should be an inspiration for any music composer out there. Just phenomenal artistry.
love trent, great guy… zero cringe listening to him speak… rare for a musician
My brother is the one who introduced me to NIN and a lot of the music they use in movie projects are a lot of my faves!
Thank you for this interview. Their music is incredibly important for so many people!
I love NIN
Gone Girl dismissal broke my heart but YAAASSS for a Reznor interview!!
Peter Murphy!🖤
Been a Nails fan for many many years now, as soon as Ghosts came out we all said ok when's the movie come out, and look a them now haha. Can't wait for new music!
Thank you for creating this video and interview! Great to get behind the scenes on some of these monumental songs/soundtracks
not sure how we ended up in the "Trent Reznor interviewed by GQ" timeline but I'm here for it!
Absolutely fantastic. So happy to have these insights. Love both Trent and Atticus so much.