Backstage Pass

Trent Reznor is taking free Internet distribution very seriously. This morning the Nine Inch Nails mastermind is giving away the band's new CD "The Slip" away on his website, saying "Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years - this one's on me."

He's hoping fans will pick up the next round -- especially as tickets for the band's new arena tour start to go on sale. And judging by the reaction to the limited editions of his "Ghosts" CDs, he's probably right. 

PHOTO: Trent Reznor by Rob Sheridan 

 
Coldplay debuted its new single "Violet Hill" on its website today and is making it available as a free download until next week, when it goes on sale at Internet retailers. (The site was down a bit this morning from all the traffic, but is back up now.)

"Violet Hill" is the first single from the forthcoming Brian Eno-produced "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" album, set to be released on June 17, and it's more of what we've come to expect from Chris Martin and friends, a moody, piano-driven arena anthem, though the guitars are turned up a bit more than usual. The album, recorded in London, New York and Barcelona, is the follow-up to 2005's "X&Y."

Coldplay will also play a free show at Madison Square Garden on June 23. Ticket information will be available through the band's website.

PHOTO: Capitol Records 

If Nine Inch Nails' new single "Discipline" (Null) sounds remarkably upbeat (for them) and danceable, why shouldn't it?

Trent Reznor has figured out a business model that seemed to work for the release of his instrumental double-album "Ghosts," a mix of traditional and Internet-distributed pay-what-you-want means. He likely made far more on a collection of instrumentals than he would have with a traditional major-label release of it.

But how will he fare with a more commercial release? Well, we may soon see, since he seems to be hinting that a new release may be ready, perhaps even with on-again, off-again collaborator Robin Finck, who has signed on for the band's summer tour as well.

In the meantime, "Discipline," which hit radio last night, is available for free at the Nine Inch Nails website. It's no doubt part of a broader roll-out that Reznor will clue us all in on soon enough. Until then, he suggests, "Take off your shirt and dance to it!"

PHOTO: Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor by Rob Sheridan 

"It's not up to you," the message on Amplive's new website says. "It's free."

That's not the only twist the Oakland DJ has put on Radiohead's recent work. He takes eight of the songs on the band's "In Rainbows" album and enhances their beats or provides them with new ones. Some of the chopping he does with Thom Yorke's vocals actually makes him sound even twitchier. And the cameo verses from the likes of Del the Funky Homosapien on "Videotapez" or Too Short on "Nudez" take the originals in an entirely new direction.

After initially being ordered to "cease and desist," Amplive eventually won approval from the band to release the songs for free.

Check them out here.

His explanation of the project is here.