Definition

An alias is a performer or songwriting name of an artist. It links performances or works to an artist.

How to choose an alias?

General rule

Try to stick as close to the medium as possible.

Specific rules

Relevant aliases

Only relevant aliases should be created. An artist can use different aliases, but not all of them are relevant.

Example: Matchbox Twenty officially became Matchbox 20 in 1998. Therefore both aliases should be created.

If irrelevant aliases exist, only the most common should be created.

Example: Belle & Sebastian inconsistently use "Belle & Sebastian" and "Belle and Sebastian". Therefore only "Belle & Sebastian" was created.

Joint Performances

Joint performances are trickier because often the artist alias isn't explicit on the medium. However, keeping the general rule in mind it's possible to keep consistency.

Example: Sarah Connor sings a duet with Marvin Gaye on her album Soulicious. The back cover says "Your Precious Love (Duet with Marvin Gaye)". In this case you can be consistent by using the same connector ("with") as the medium. The joint performance alias becomas Sarah Connor with Marvin Gaye.

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Guidelines index

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