The Pitchfork-absorbing entity that is GQ has published a new cover story today on none other than Nine Inch Nails, presumably to prove the publication's self-described "valuable" approach to music journalism. Perhaps the main takeaway from the piece is that the duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have got plans. So, so many plans.
In addition to getting into the evolution of the friendship between the musicians — with Ross having become something of a mentor in sobriety for Reznor — and their continued partnership as Oscar-winning film composers, journalist Zach Baron got all the dirt on the many projects the prolific pair have in the works.
Yes, a new Nine Inch Nails album is among them... at some point. "I do feel excited about starting on the next record," Ross told Baron. "I think we're in a place now where we kind of have an idea."
But it's just one of the many ideas the twosome are currently working with. Among their other endeavours are designing a T-shirt line (Baron asked the important question about whether any colour would be involved, to which Reznor answered, "Of course not"), and launching a music festival "where we're going to debut as performing as composers along with a roster of other interesting people."
Speaking of their scoring, Ross and Reznor just wrapped Luca Guadagnino's Zendaya-starring Challengers, and are already working on another score for the director's erotic film, Queer, as well as Scott Derrickson's sci-fi flick The Gorge. Beyond composing, Reznor and Ross are apparently developing a TV show with The Bear creator Christopher Storer, in addition to a movie with veteran horror director Mike Flanagan.
They've also partnered with former Bandcamp owners Epic Games to work on an extended reality gaming experience. "It's what Zuckerberg was trying to bullshit us into calling the Metaverse," Reznor said. "You can't say that word anymore, but in terms of the tool kit, thinking about it through the lens of what could be possible for artists and experiences, we thought that would be an interesting way to tell a story through that."
As if all that (and raising families) wasn't enough, Ross and Reznor are also launching a production company with longtime art director John Crawford and producer Jonathan Pavesi dedicated to "homegrown IP around Nine Inch Nails, stories we could tell" — but not a biopic, Reznor clarified.
If you're wondering how they possibly find the time in the day to juggle so many artistic pursuits, they work a diligent Monday-to-Friday schedule in the studio out behind Reznor's house. "We sit in here every day," Reznor explained to Baron. "And a portion of the time organically becomes us just figuring out who we are as people and processing life and a kind of therapy session. And in those endless hours it's come up: why do we want to do this? And the reason is because we both feel the most in touch with God and fulfilled."
