Nine inch Nails mainman Trent Reznor has gone one further than Radiohead and released data over who downloaded rapper Saul William's recent album - which Trent produced - and how much they paid.
The industrial rocker took the decision to release Williams' latest album as a digital download which fans could choose to pay either $5 for, or download for free - in a similar way Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' was released. However, Trent gives a word of warning to other musicians thinking of following suit.
"Here's what I was thinking," Reznor wrote on his website. "... I thought if you offered the whole record free at reasonable quality--no strings attached--and offered a hassle-free way to show support that clearly goes straight to the artists who made it at an unquestionably low price, people would 'do the right thing.' I know, I know ... Well, now I DO know, and you will to."
Reznor reveals that 154,449 fans had downloaded Williams' album as of Jan. 2, with 28,322 (18.3%) choosing to pay $5 for it.
"Is it good news that less than one in five [fans] feel it was worth $5?" Reznor continued. "I'm not sure what I was expecting, but that percentage ... seems disheartening.
"Add to that: we spent too much (correction, I spent too much) making the record utilising an A-list team and studio ... an old publishing deal, sample clearance fees, paying to give the record away (bandwidth costs), and nobody's getting rich off this project."
However, Reznor did concede that it could open the door for more people to see Williams' live show.
"Saul's music is in more peoples' iPods than ever before and people are interested in him. He'll be touring throughout the year and we will continue to get the word out however we can.
"So--if you're an artist looking to utilise this method of distribution, make of these figures what you will and hopefully this info is enlightening," Reznor added.
