I feel like this helps me hear the structure of the track more accurately. It’s beautiful (no surprises for a NIN song although parts of it do make me think of Tori, compliment intended)! Thank you!
As a near life-long fan of both NIN and Tori Amos, this channel is like some sort of really wonderful fever dream for me. Love your work, please stay working. ❤
I can certainly second, or even third the sentiments in this comment and threaded replies. She is truly brilliant in her analysis as well as her playing. I can't wait to hear her tackle Tori at some point!
I happened to glance at your comment before playing the video. Aha. Now I see why you mentioned Tori. I only found Tori and Trent in 1994 or 1995, so The Downward Spiral and Under the Pink were out already. It always delighted me that they are fans of one another. Different styles of music, but to use a cooking analogy, they use some of the same spices. :)
Your adaptation of it reminds me of Blood Meridian finale, when the kid, that became a man after all horrible things he passed through, find himself with that woman upstairs. Terrifying and gorgeous. I like your outro even more than the original. Thank you
Reptile has a lot going on so there's lots to play with. I've occasionally gotten it stuck in my head since the album came out and it either evolves or devolves into something different depending on my mood every time.
People who never heard of this song will be surprised on how well you interpreted the original into this hauntingly beautiful piece. Amazing, exactly like I imagined (ANOTHER SONG????)
A pleasant ring tone at the start, then turns anime intro, then a dramatic movie, and then the song. It's like the song minus the tension/anxiety imo. for me, when i listen to this i pictured the original song is a moment in someone's life and this is hindsight/reflecting on the past of that moment.
@@iximusic The piano from right where it belongs. Heresy intro. The mog thing pattern from ruiner. The start to the becoming. the piano in i do not want this. And with your skill you could probably make a ton more that's inspired by nin.
I feel like I'm so jaded with music lately. I just feel like I listened to everything. But THIS RIGHT HERE hit me right in the gut, the way music used to. Incredible interpretation of one of my all time favorites. I know I stayed awake for some reason :) Goodnight!!!
I love this. Great job. I love the sparseness and dissonance of Reznors compositions. His work is immediately recognizable and has also influenced my own composing.
Also... This somehow sounds better each time I play it through. This is my third listen and it truly takes me "outside of my headspace" (which is no small feat, as any know me would share)... But, it is soooo rich with your choices for expression throughout your work on that digital piano that you bring a warm, calming, nearly-seductive lullaby styled contrast to the nature of "Reptile", in such an earnest and sincere manner that makes it feel as though the original may be asleep, and dreaming of somehow being able to exist in some fantasy fueled existence for a peaceful, contented life.... ...Which is obviously something it "can never have".
When I receive a heart by our Ixi Goddess I get that feeling you feel when you're star gazing and you SWEAR a star or Planet just blinked back at you. I love how a piece of this turned into A Warm Place around 3:50 💙
I absolutely love the harmony at 3:45 in your improv. I definitely hear 'a warm place' here. I always liked the incongruous mix of euphoric melodies and TR's violent vocals along with the harsh disconnect of overwhelming industrial sounds. Great job Ixi. Can't wait for your breakdown.
@@iximusic love Your passion as a musician. Fortunately, NIN's catalog offers you a very wide range of options for your channel. Congrats on Your new release.
Upon further analysis my favorite (so far) is that jazzy pice at 6:02 . There's the downward spiral theme again in all it's splendour. This is the best improv yet Ixi.
Totally one of my top “X” NIN songs. This rendition is quite lovely. The drive and Grit that come through in the subtle nature of the “Insectary” nature is exposed as literal and figurative really compliments one another. There are so many themes that tie up nicely…. Just… UUhhhmmm…
Don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. Love this. One of my faves from this album reimagined beautifully. Also? Very sneaky with that bit of A Warm Place in there. I welled up without even realizing what was happening.
I wonder if Trent has heard tour interpretations/analysis is his songs. I would LOVE to see his reaction! I doubt he would be anything less than honored/flattered by the depth that you go for your analysis, and how you take them and make them yours with these Improv pieces. I know if someone did that with my music, I would be!
That's really nice of you to say! 🖤 I would feel a little weird about him seeing the analyses but I would be honored to share my piano interpretations with him if I get the chance.
@@iximusic I don't see why, from a music theory perspective, they're extremely accurate. They're also glowing reviews (Big Man With a Gun not withstanding; which I doubt he would hold against you)with strong evidence to support such opinions. Can't wait to hear you dissect Tori's music!
Ingenious interpretation of the song. The way it ebbed and flowed, breathed, struck, then paused was fantastic. Ixi, the heart and soul you're putting into these covers is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for sharing that intrinsic space with us. You're giving these beloved songs a beautiful new reconnection point that is hard to put into words. :)
I literally screamed listening to this. I think the piano is great because it really shows how beautiful the melodies are underneath all the noise. Which makes the song even more crushingly dark when the dissonance comes back in. Amazing as always, i love your channel.
Wonderful!!! It's funny for me though, the sound of the piano as an instrument reminds me of my grandmother playing. It is sometimes like NIN with milk and oatmeal raisin cookies. haha You could put any number of keyboard sounds on that, I'm sure, but being classically trained I understand keeping it as piano. (It has a really authentic piano sound. I'm sure it wasn't cheap) Just sometimes pulls me out of the atmosphere...like hearing NIN on the violin or saxophone or something...sometimes it really works too though...idk Love all that you do! Thanks for helping me discover more layers of art in my ol' favorite band's music! Just amazing...
@@iximusic man, it was SO GOOD! I actually wrote an article on the Aphex Twin show the year before. DfN was an epic event, it's really too bad we likely won't get any more of them.
I just wanted to chime in and say that I learned a lot from you - not only about the music theory behind Trent’s work, but discovering the “accidental” music theory behind my own music as well! For example: based on your analysis, it seems like Trent uses Mixolydian mode *a lot*, but that got me curious as to whether I gravitate toward any specific mode with my music (spoiler: I seem to lean into the Dorian mode more often than not). I never grasped the full extent of music theory in the past and just wrote what felt right. But, because of your channel, I’ve done more studying on music theory and am actually utilizing it more with new music 😊
Oh! well...you may want to consider joining my Patreon for July if you have an extra $10 lying around 🙂 There are improv videos and behind the scenes process videos!
Incredible dynamics - I've noticed your great feel for quiet and loud in your other improvs too, but it really stands out here. The extra velocity on the deep bass notes gives them so much impact and weight. And the "I now know the depths I reach are limitless" part is played with such a soft touch, it comes across like a whisper. Each part fits perfectly.
I know Aphex Twin does what he wants when it comes to remixes and the artist doesn't get what they expect of a remix but when it comes to "At the Heart of It All" I think "Reptile" was a big part of the dna of that track.
Another amazing addition to your work, @ixi 🙂. I have to admit that Reptile is a song I have always struggled with. I know it has some beautiful tunes throughout but the 'louder' parts make me feel uncomfortable still today. I'm super interested to hear your breakdown on this one because as a life-long NIN fan I've never understood why I don't feel drawn to this song when so many friends of mine love it.
I know this song like the back of my hand and your rendition is by far the best I've ever had the honor of listening to. I felt like I was whisked away to a New England Autumn season inching toward Halloween. That being said, I could totally hear this during a scene involving Michael Myers and Laurie Strode 🎃
Goosebumps! You have made a majestic reinterpretation of one of my favourite songs ever. A masterpiece of a masterpiece! I guess even Trent would love it. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Thank you, very, very much for sharing with us your knowledge in your analysis, and thank you for putting your heart and soul into every cover. You are super good at this, so talented that I can't even put it into words. Keep going! 🎹🎶🖤
Yes!yes!yes! You have left me feeling a sinful , j kid , awesome feeling of wonderment, as well as ecstasy.....so many things...experiences, awesome, and terrible things....happened with this music this album in particular playing in the background...oh my Jeezy creeezy. I don't know you personally Ixi, but I can see for sure....you would fit in at the pub where I work. We are all interesting /musician/artists..both... and more.
Incredibly inspired gorgeous take on one of the most chilling relentless tunes I’ve ever heard.
I feel like this helps me hear the structure of the track more accurately. It’s beautiful (no surprises for a NIN song although parts of it do make me think of Tori, compliment intended)!
Thank you!
As a near life-long fan of both NIN and Tori Amos, this channel is like some sort of really wonderful fever dream for me. Love your work, please stay working. ❤
Same i feel like I’ve been waiting for ixis channel for years but never knew it
I'm right there with you Jan.
I can certainly second, or even third the sentiments in this comment and threaded replies. She is truly brilliant in her analysis as well as her playing. I can't wait to hear her tackle Tori at some point!
I too see the connection to Tory Amos here in the piano adaptions
I happened to glance at your comment before playing the video. Aha. Now I see why you mentioned Tori. I only found Tori and Trent in 1994 or 1995, so The Downward Spiral and Under the Pink were out already. It always delighted me that they are fans of one another. Different styles of music, but to use a cooking analogy, they use some of the same spices. :)
Your adaptation of it reminds me of Blood Meridian finale, when the kid, that became a man after all horrible things he passed through, find himself with that woman upstairs. Terrifying and gorgeous. I like your outro even more than the original. Thank you
"Oh" hurt so much worse as softly spoken as you played it. 🥶. Unbelievable feeling
Reptile has a lot going on so there's lots to play with. I've occasionally gotten it stuck in my head since the album came out and it either evolves or devolves into something different depending on my mood every time.
I really enjoyed your riffing on that ascending intro motif before the “drop”
Thank you! I thought it sounded really pretty on the piano. Maybe not as creepy but the contrast is the main thing.
Listening to this gorgeous piano interpretation of “Reptile” gave me chills! So so SOOO good!
That's one of the best compliments musicians can get, I think!
So glad a professional pianist really appreciates Trent’s beautiful music as cuh as I do !!❤❤❤
My favorite song in the 90s redone beautifully!!🖤💙💜
People who never heard of this song will be surprised on how well you interpreted the original into this hauntingly beautiful piece. Amazing, exactly like I imagined (ANOTHER SONG????)
I love that you drop the improv of a track right before that track's analysis. Builds the hype and gives some food for our own observations.
Ooh glad to hear that!
A pleasant ring tone at the start, then turns anime intro, then a dramatic movie, and then the song.
It's like the song minus the tension/anxiety imo. for me, when i listen to this i pictured the original song is a moment in someone's life and this is hindsight/reflecting on the past of that moment.
Now you're making me think of all the NIN melodies I'd want to have as a ringtone...:)
@@iximusic The piano from right where it belongs. Heresy intro. The mog thing pattern from ruiner. The start to the becoming. the piano in i do not want this. And with your skill you could probably make a ton more that's inspired by nin.
I picked up this album when it came out. I was in fourth grade. As a lifelong pianist, I say BRAVO! What a treat :)
I did too, I'm not sure why my parent's let me buy it but it was my second CD ever, the first was Pearl Jam's Ten that I won from a radio show haha.
I’ve started looking forward to your improvs as much as your analyses. This is great! I love what you do, Ixi!
I feel like I'm so jaded with music lately. I just feel like I listened to everything. But THIS RIGHT HERE hit me right in the gut, the way music used to. Incredible interpretation of one of my all time favorites. I know I stayed awake for some reason :) Goodnight!!!
Love that "downward spiral motiff" near the end!!!
I love this. Great job. I love the sparseness and dissonance of Reznors compositions. His work is immediately recognizable and has also influenced my own composing.
¡ixi! you really peeled the scales off this one. I'm shaking with anticipation for your surgical analysis of this specimen.
🦎
The greatest NIN song of all time
After hearing this, I'm back in relaxing mode. Fantastic!
Also... This somehow sounds better each time I play it through. This is my third listen and it truly takes me "outside of my headspace" (which is no small feat, as any know me would share)... But, it is soooo rich with your choices for expression throughout your work on that digital piano that you bring a warm, calming, nearly-seductive lullaby styled contrast to the nature of "Reptile", in such an earnest and sincere manner that makes it feel as though the original may be asleep, and dreaming of somehow being able to exist in some fantasy fueled existence for a peaceful, contented life....
...Which is obviously something it "can never have".
When I receive a heart by our Ixi Goddess I get that feeling you feel when you're star gazing and you SWEAR a star or Planet just blinked back at you. I love how a piece of this turned into A Warm Place around 3:50 💙
Unbelievably beautiful. The way you tend those bass notes, too. Mama!
and they say you never use those lowest notes 😈
Start sounds like a pleasant ringtone.
I absolutely love the harmony at 3:45 in your improv. I definitely hear 'a warm place' here. I always liked the incongruous mix of euphoric melodies and TR's violent vocals along with the harsh disconnect of overwhelming industrial sounds. Great job Ixi. Can't wait for your breakdown.
You got it, you felt it! It's the bassline of A Warm Place. Yeah that contrast is powerful! 🙌
@@iximusic love Your passion as a musician. Fortunately, NIN's catalog offers you a very wide range of options for your channel. Congrats on Your new release.
Upon further analysis my favorite (so far) is that jazzy pice at 6:02 . There's the downward spiral theme again in all it's splendour. This is the best improv yet Ixi.
Totally one of my top “X” NIN songs. This rendition is quite lovely. The drive and Grit that come through in the subtle nature of the “Insectary” nature is exposed as literal and figurative really compliments one another. There are so many themes that tie up nicely…. Just… UUhhhmmm…
Don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. Love this. One of my faves from this album reimagined beautifully.
Also? Very sneaky with that bit of A Warm Place in there. I welled up without even realizing what was happening.
This is my favorite song and this is absolutely fantastic.
I wonder if Trent has heard tour interpretations/analysis is his songs. I would LOVE to see his reaction! I doubt he would be anything less than honored/flattered by the depth that you go for your analysis, and how you take them and make them yours with these Improv pieces. I know if someone did that with my music, I would be!
That's really nice of you to say! 🖤 I would feel a little weird about him seeing the analyses but I would be honored to share my piano interpretations with him if I get the chance.
@@iximusic I don't see why, from a music theory perspective, they're extremely accurate. They're also glowing reviews (Big Man With a Gun not withstanding; which I doubt he would hold against you)with strong evidence to support such opinions. Can't wait to hear you dissect Tori's music!
Ahh reptile! My favorite song from downward spiral! Love this arrangement!
Love it Ixi! This could have easily passed as part of Still. Can’t wait for your analysis.
Ingenious interpretation of the song. The way it ebbed and flowed, breathed, struck, then paused was fantastic. Ixi, the heart and soul you're putting into these covers is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for sharing that intrinsic space with us. You're giving these beloved songs a beautiful new reconnection point that is hard to put into words. :)
Thank you for this, means a lot.
probably the best use of sustain pedal since Shostakovich
Gosh I'm blushing!
Mucho aire aparece entre las notas, es una versión hermosa! Gracias!
4:55: This part subverted my expectations nicely. Reptile - (ixilized version)
yassss!
I think Trent would approve. I can't hear the part after the chorus without hearing "give it, back, back...".
I literally screamed listening to this. I think the piano is great because it really shows how beautiful the melodies are underneath all the noise. Which makes the song even more crushingly dark when the dissonance comes back in. Amazing as always, i love your channel.
Wonderful!!! It's funny for me though, the sound of the piano as an instrument reminds me of my grandmother playing. It is sometimes like NIN with milk and oatmeal raisin cookies. haha You could put any number of keyboard sounds on that, I'm sure, but being classically trained I understand keeping it as piano. (It has a really authentic piano sound. I'm sure it wasn't cheap) Just sometimes pulls me out of the atmosphere...like hearing NIN on the violin or saxophone or something...sometimes it really works too though...idk
Love all that you do! Thanks for helping me discover more layers of art in my ol' favorite band's music! Just amazing...
OMG, Dark & Melancholic
Absolutely Beautiful ♥️ 🦎
Oh can we
Oh can we
I feel the melody is saying that but of course the lyrics don’t. Thanks Ixi😊
Wow just found this after being a subscriber for a while, and THANK YOU. WOW. This is meditation music for me now 🙏 Beautiful.
You are so talented. It's beautiful to witness how inspired you are NIN. Thank you for your fantastic content. 💕
Sounds so beautiful.
One of my favorite songs ever. Saw them play this in the rain in Houston at Day for Night and I was blown away. Thank you, as always ❤
I was there too! Small world :)
@@iximusic man, it was SO GOOD! I actually wrote an article on the Aphex Twin show the year before. DfN was an epic event, it's really too bad we likely won't get any more of them.
I know, so sad it didn't continue. The art was my favorite part other than NIN ;)
You have nice control
U hit nice notes
This was absolutely wonderful. Brava, good lady. Brava
I just wanted to chime in and say that I learned a lot from you - not only about the music theory behind Trent’s work, but discovering the “accidental” music theory behind my own music as well! For example: based on your analysis, it seems like Trent uses Mixolydian mode *a lot*, but that got me curious as to whether I gravitate toward any specific mode with my music (spoiler: I seem to lean into the Dorian mode more often than not). I never grasped the full extent of music theory in the past and just wrote what felt right. But, because of your channel, I’ve done more studying on music theory and am actually utilizing it more with new music 😊
That's so cool, thank you for sharing that with me! (p.s. I love Dorian!)
FINALLY this better be the best piano improv IN THE WORLD, IXI
(after listening)
you were lucky THIS TIME
i want to hear more of your improv stuff. i would love to be a fly on the wall when you’re just playing around. it’s so good.
Oh! well...you may want to consider joining my Patreon for July if you have an extra $10 lying around 🙂 There are improv videos and behind the scenes process videos!
fuck yes, my favorite song off downward spiral!
Incredible dynamics - I've noticed your great feel for quiet and loud in your other improvs too, but it really stands out here.
The extra velocity on the deep bass notes gives them so much impact and weight. And the "I now know the depths I reach are limitless" part is played with such a soft touch, it comes across like a whisper. Each part fits perfectly.
Thanks
just incredible
Sweet. No one will suspect it's notorious!
This is fkn beautiful
Remaining calm after the build at the 5 minute mark was just.... ugh, so fulfilling... sigh, yes... yes indeed. This is just so good.
@@michaeleberl2222 yesss glad that hit you!
Lovely! Probably my favorite song from that album.
That was beautiful and invoked a range of emotion. Wonderful!
Whoa.. this is absolutely incredible!
I know Aphex Twin does what he wants when it comes to remixes and the artist doesn't get what they expect of a remix but when it comes to "At the Heart of It All" I think "Reptile" was a big part of the dna of that track.
One of my favorite NIN songs, absolutely stunning cover.
That intro 🔥❤️
bloop bloop bloop bloop bloop bloop
I think I never heard better performance of this song
wow thank you.
Have you heard the performance with David Bowie though? 🤩
@@iximusic I prefer the one with Peter Murphy where Trent is playing bass guitar. Of course right after Yours
Another amazing addition to your work, @ixi 🙂. I have to admit that Reptile is a song I have always struggled with. I know it has some beautiful tunes throughout but the 'louder' parts make me feel uncomfortable still today. I'm super interested to hear your breakdown on this one because as a life-long NIN fan I've never understood why I don't feel drawn to this song when so many friends of mine love it.
Beautiful, as always. Please release an album of these improv's 🙏
I know this song like the back of my hand and your rendition is by far the best I've ever had the honor of listening to. I felt like I was whisked away to a New England Autumn season inching toward Halloween. That being said, I could totally hear this during a scene involving Michael Myers and Laurie Strode 🎃
beautiful, just beautiful
This is an astounding arrangement. 😍
3:48 a warm place!!!!!
You heard it! ♥️
I was actually waiting for this improv ♥ Absolute favourite track and so filled with all kinds of emotions. Thank you so much for this one ixi
Ave Sata^^^vvv ... awesome, I mean "awesome".
Gave me chills! Amazing, thank you.
I have a huge crush on you! Great job Ixi.
Absolutely fantastic
Wonderful.
One of my favorite song by NIN. I love how you integrated the Downward Spiral theme at the end!
Incredibly trippy. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with The Fragile.
Ahhh yeah!
So beautiful
This is just wonderful.
wow.
Wonder how it would sound with another backing piano playing along
Ooh, I like that idea!
Do you play?
Beautiful rendition Ixi! You should record these songs and bundle them into an album!
i am soooooo in love with this, thank you so much ❤️
One of my favorites, so glad you loved it!
Really well done. Also good timing because I felt compelled to listen to reptile yesterday
Goosebumps! You have made a majestic reinterpretation of one of my favourite songs ever. A masterpiece of a masterpiece! I guess even Trent would love it. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you, very, very much for sharing with us your knowledge in your analysis, and thank you for putting your heart and soul into every cover. You are super good at this, so talented that I can't even put it into words. Keep going! 🎹🎶🖤
Beautiful
Such a great interpretation!
Fucking incredible cover! Blew my mind away. You're perfect and I love your channel❤️
Absolutely beautiful. ! Wow. Can't wait to see what else you have for us. Keep up the good work.
Been waiting a long time for this. Reptile is my favorite NiN track. Beautiful!
That was incredible. What an amazing interpretation of probably my favorite NIN song. I can't wait for your analysis video.
Yes!yes!yes! You have left me feeling a sinful , j kid , awesome feeling of wonderment, as well as ecstasy.....so many things...experiences, awesome, and terrible things....happened with this music this album in particular playing in the background...oh my Jeezy creeezy. I don't know you personally Ixi, but I can see for sure....you would fit in at the pub where I work. We are all interesting /musician/artists..both... and more.
Jeezy creezy is my new favorite expletive!
How emotional! I liked it
Sodding great!
I just found your channel, super sick! Subbed!
Incredibly good, Ixi! My favorite song of all time. Can't wait for the analysis!
You‘re improvisations are so so wonderful everytime, thank you for your amazing work again! :)
This was incredibly nice. Been waiting w baited breath. Thank you for sharing!
Ok so now THIS is my new favourite piano improv! Incredible job! About to watch your other Reptile video now. Cant get enough of this track!
This is outstanding.