Lady Gaga Shares Her Experience Meeting Trent Reznor: ‘Excited’

Lady Gaga has been recognized for drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists, and with her seventh studio album Mayhem, she has highlighted Nine Inch Nails as a significant influence.

In a recent interview on The Howard Stern Show on March 12, the pop superstar expressed her admiration for Trent Reznor and his pioneering contributions to the industrial rock genre.

When Stern played Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” and inquired about her fondness for the song, Gaga was quick to respond, “Because it’s so good!” she exclaimed. The 1994 classic, recognized for its driving synths and provocative lyrics, is one of Nine Inch Nails’ signature tracks, achieving top 50 status on the Billboard Hot 100 and leaving a mark on both rock and electronic music.

Gaga shared that she has indeed met Reznor but found it difficult to remember their initial encounter. “I forget the first time. I think I blank out every time I’m around him,” she confessed, further stating, “He’s an incredible musician.” When questioned about feeling intimidated by him, she clarified, “Not intimidated—just very excited, thrilled, and quiet.”

Earlier this month, Gaga revealed that Mayhem, her first full-length album since 2020’s Chromatica, draws heavily from the musical styles of the ‘90s and 2000s. She identified Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead among the artists that influenced the album’s sonic landscape, describing it as a blend of “’90s grunge, 2000s pop, funk, and ‘80s elements.”

She specifically mentioned “Closer” as a key influence for Mayhem’s debut single, “Disease,” which has already ignited conversations among fans regarding its darker, industrial sound.

As Gaga prepares for the launch of Mayhem, Nine Inch Nails are also generating buzz with their own projects. The band announced their Peel It Back tour earlier this year, marking their return to live performances since 2022. This tour will take them across the U.K., Europe, and North America this summer, featuring support from Boys Noize.

Reznor also announced at the end of 2024 that new Nine Inch Nails music is forthcoming, stating, “We’re ready to be back in control.”

The single “Abracadabra” debuted at No. 29 during its truncated week on the Feb. 15-dated Billboard Hot 100 and premiered at No. 1 on the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart, becoming the second song to top the chart in its five-week history. 

Despite having a shortened week, “Abracadabra” recorded the highest sales and streaming numbers in the chart’s short history.

Following the current chart leader, the Bruno Mars-featured “Die with A Smile”, and “Disease” (No. 27), Mayhem already features three top 40 singles before its March 7 debut, marking it her first album to achieve this since 2013’s Artpop. Overall, it’s her 39th chart entry, dating back to “Just Dance,” featuring Colby O’Donis, which held the No. 1 position for three weeks.

• Source: NEWHD MEDIA