Musicians often rush into naming their project in order to get things going. With time they either have a better idea or circumstances change and they need to switch their name. Whether you have found a better name, one that makes a better first impression or you are worried about another person that is using your name the time is now. The time is not tomorrow when you get more popular to change your name when you are forced to change it.
If your band is nowhere near where you want to be and you have a small following that it would be easy to get the word out to about a name change the time to do it is now. While if you have a huge following like Prince and you change your name the whole world will know. The problem becomes when you are mildly well known and are then forced in to a name change or want something better. It is hard to change your name when you are at a mid-level of notoriety and get the word to all parties so the sooner the better. Follow me to the jump and we will discuss further.
If your band is nowhere near where you want to be and you have a small following that it would be easy to get the word out to about a name change the time to do it is now. While if you have a huge following like Prince and you change your name the whole world will know. The problem becomes when you are mildly well known and are then forced in to a name change or want something better. It is hard to change your name when you are at a mid-level of notoriety and get the word to all parties so the sooner the better. Follow me to the jump and we will discuss further.
Why?
There are millions of reasons bands change their name. Recently I worked with an amazing indie-prog band called Twilight City Fracture. At the time of the recording they were going by Royal Crime Syndicate which gave visions of a bunch of gangster thug dudes not some guys playing hook filled spacey guitar songs. Before they released new songs that they hope to get the whole world to hear they decided to change their name to make their life easier (they actually were named Twilight City Fracture originally), realizing that the new name sounded more like a band that made the type of music they do, it helps them to make better impressions and open doors instead of closing them.
Your name can easily open or close doors for your band. We all have had the experience of hearing a band name and not wanting to even hear the band because of the way their name sounds and then upon hearing them are shocked and grow to love the band. Whereas other bands have such a great name that we want to hear what they sound like. Here are some common scenarios why it may be a good idea to change your name:
While I do think it is a good idea to get your ball rolling by choosing a name if you haven't found the perfect one, it is also a good idea to keep thinking of something better if you aren't crazy about the name you have. Switching your name after you have played under 10 shows isn't a crime against humanity, it is coming into your own as a group.
Odds are your popularity is only going to go up. At least that is what you hope. In all likelihood right now the least amount of people know about your music that ever will and from here more and more will know it. This means when attempting to win the war of informing people that you changed your name this is the easiest time to change your name. The biggest problem becomes when you have a mild buzz and then decide to change your name, it isn't easy to get out the word to everyone who has been introduced and interested in your music. Everyday you wait when you have doubts about your music is another day you may not get the word out to a new fan that will wonder where you went.. With each day that passes you are going to have to change more social networks (not fun on Twitter I may add) and contact more people in the press. Start today, thank me tomorrow.
There are millions of reasons bands change their name. Recently I worked with an amazing indie-prog band called Twilight City Fracture. At the time of the recording they were going by Royal Crime Syndicate which gave visions of a bunch of gangster thug dudes not some guys playing hook filled spacey guitar songs. Before they released new songs that they hope to get the whole world to hear they decided to change their name to make their life easier (they actually were named Twilight City Fracture originally), realizing that the new name sounded more like a band that made the type of music they do, it helps them to make better impressions and open doors instead of closing them.
Your name can easily open or close doors for your band. We all have had the experience of hearing a band name and not wanting to even hear the band because of the way their name sounds and then upon hearing them are shocked and grow to love the band. Whereas other bands have such a great name that we want to hear what they sound like. Here are some common scenarios why it may be a good idea to change your name:
- Despite common wisdom there is plenty of names available out there and if you are worried that another band has your name and you are going to have to hope you get popular before them it may be better to just find a better name. Odds are there is a better name out there.
- Circumstances sometimes can ruin your life. Popular indie rock band Burning Airlines couldn't get anyone to put their name on a billboard or flyer after 9/11 despite the fact they had been around long before that sad day. Sh*t happens! A supergroup could form tomorrow with nearly the same band name as yours and you will forever live with people thinking of that band when they hear yours making them think you are a cheap rip-off of them. Instead of begrudging it, it is better to change your name fast instead of sitting around dealing with a terrible situation and fighting something that isn't going to change.
- You may have something better and it is going to bother you till you switch to it. If your name isn't making the right impression on people it's time for it go. It's hard enough to get ahead these days never mind when your name is working against you instead of for you.
While I do think it is a good idea to get your ball rolling by choosing a name if you haven't found the perfect one, it is also a good idea to keep thinking of something better if you aren't crazy about the name you have. Switching your name after you have played under 10 shows isn't a crime against humanity, it is coming into your own as a group.
Odds are your popularity is only going to go up. At least that is what you hope. In all likelihood right now the least amount of people know about your music that ever will and from here more and more will know it. This means when attempting to win the war of informing people that you changed your name this is the easiest time to change your name. The biggest problem becomes when you have a mild buzz and then decide to change your name, it isn't easy to get out the word to everyone who has been introduced and interested in your music. Everyday you wait when you have doubts about your music is another day you may not get the word out to a new fan that will wonder where you went.. With each day that passes you are going to have to change more social networks (not fun on Twitter I may add) and contact more people in the press. Start today, thank me tomorrow.
This is a great article I'm going to change my band name because it no longer fits my music. I make indie rock and I have a scene band name haha so it's going!!