Saul Williams

  • Only 18.3% have chosen to pay the $5 for Saul Williams's Niggy Tardust so far, a disheartened Trent Reznor reveals on his blog. Williams, on the other hand, is more optimistic in this CNET interview, explaining the reason they released the numbers:
    But really [Reznor's] whole purpose of releasing that statement was that we could avoid some of the pretentiousness of some of the other groups that have perhaps done something similar, like Radiohead keeping numbers to themselves and us wanting to say, 'Hey, look this is an open experiment that all artists should know.' I think that this information is essential for all artists trying to do what we're doing and figuring out whether this is something that will work.
    (5) #
    1/11/2008
  • An interview with Trent Reznor and Saul Williams on the eve of the online release of The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust!
    What do you think about OiNK being shut down?
    Trent: I'll admit I had an account there and frequented it quite often... If OiNK cost anything, I would certainly have paid, but there isn't the equivalent of that in the retail space right now. iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up.
    Awesome. They also ask both of them how much they paid for Radiohead's In Rainbows. Saul: $7; Trent: $5080. (1) #
    10/30/2007

Saul Williams's Niggy Tardust coming on November 1st

I just got a mass email from Trent Reznor announcing the release of Saul Williams's Reznor-produced album, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!

A word on the way we've chosen to release this. There are obvious similarities in how Radiohead just released their new record and the way we've chosen to. After thinking about this way too much, I feel we've improved upon their idea in a few profound ways that benefit you, the consumer. You obviously will be the judge of this in the end. One thing that IS very different in our situation is that Saul's not the household name (yet!) that Radiohead is, and that means we need your support on this more than ever. If you like what you hear, spread the word.

I love Saul Williams, I love Trent Reznor, and I love the album's title. Put this on your radar.

P.S. And for those of you who don't remember my earlier post, Michael Williams, the guy who plays Omar on The Wire, is Saul Williams brother.

P.P.S. Here's the music video for "Black Stacey," a track from his previous album.

P.P.P.S. Reznor's right -- the way this album is being distributed is much more well-thought out than with Radiohead's In Rainbows.

Thu, 10/25/2007 - 3:39pm
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