💡✍️ADN #087: Owning Your Name

Artist and band names are tricky.

If your music is exceptional, you will always have a greater chance of your name becoming more prominent than the words or letters themselves (think U2, The Beatles, etc.)

There is a world where U2 is more like Us3.

The difference between the two is that U2 built a world with their music that reached a massive audience, and therefore, their name became larger than life with them.

Us3 also found more success than 95% of artists and bands, but they are considered more of a one-hit wonder than worthy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The same goes for The Beatles.

Sure, there is a little craftiness in spelling their name, The Beatles, instead of The Beetles, but it’s easy to imagine seeing The Beatles listed as a band playing at your local pub down the street instead of at Shea Stadium.

The songs, the personalities, and the world they built made their name legendary.

The name became synonymous with the music, not the other way around.

And that is what you want.

When starting your artist project, ask yourself these questions before settling on your artist or band name.

• Is the name being used by someone else?
• Are there any offensive connotations with any of the words?
• Are there a lot of artists or bands with one of the same names as you?
• Is the website URL available?
• Are the social media handles available?
• Are there any DJs or events using the name you are considering?
• Does the name represent or come from a place that tells a story?

Let’s go down each of these bullet points in more detail.

Is The Name Being Used By Someone Else?

• Search DSP platforms like Spotify or Apple Music to see if any other verified artists are using your name before you announce it to the world.
• Search Google to see what results show up.
• Search social media.

Are There Any Offensive Connotations With Any Of The Words?

• More than ever, it is essential to do your homework on the origin of any words, names, or sayings you are considering for your artist or band name.
• Be diligent in looking for any alternative interpretations or any history surrounding the name you choose.

Is The Website URL Available?

• Use a site like Squarespace to search if the URL you want is available.
• Ideally www.yourname.com

Are The Social Media Handles Available?

• Search on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, etc.
• Ideally, you want the same handle on all social platforms for easy searchability.

Are There Any DJs Or Events Using The Name You Are Considering?

• Dig deep into your Google and social media searches.
• Look for anything that could be confusingly similar.
• You want to be able to own the website and URLs to optimize your profiles and SEO and also own the brandability of your name.
• One day, you may want to perform DJ sets or start your own festival, and it is important to have full control of your name as an entity.

Does The Name Represent Or Come From A Place That Tells A Story?

• When starting, The most asked interview question is, “Where did you get your name?”
• With this in mind, you want to have an answer and like your answer.
• A substantial early win is a story that tells the interviewer and potential fans more about you via your name.
• Take advantage of this when thinking about your name.

In the simplest terms, own your name so your name won’t own you.

Be thoughtful and diligent before you tell the world your name so that you can confidently shout it from the rooftops when the time is right.

See you next Sunday — 

neil

 — — -

Want to dive deeper into your Artist Development?

1. Work with me 1:1 to grow your brand or business.

2. Lyric Copy — 10-day lyric writing course.

artistdevelopment.net