What do I do about another artist using my name?

Submitted by stikkybiscuits t3_10pmipv in Music

Basically, I’ve been using the same artist name since 2018. I’m no one famous by any means but there is traction. Some dude just popped up this past year going by the same name.

I know this happens sometimes but here’s the part that irritates me. We’ve spoken before. He had the handle I wanted online and I reached out about swapping handles/purchasing his. At that time, he was doing photography and wasn’t doing music at all. When that didn’t work out for him, apparently he decided to do music…under the same name… knowing I’m a musician using that name currently.

My initial though was to ignore it until he gave up but I’m starting to get tagged bc people are confusing us….

Sorry if this is the wrong sub I just do not know how to proceed. Thanks

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WolflordBrimley t1_j6lbq3l wrote

David Jones changed his last name to Bowie because he didn't want to be confused with Davy Jones from the Monkees.

Think of it as a chance to come up with a super cool name. Might I suggest Stevie Eagle.

But in all seriousness can you add a middle initial? Like mary j blige

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stikkybiscuits OP t1_j6lcyhl wrote

I’ve thought about the name change a lot.

So it’s not a standard name, it’s an abstract spelling of an already not so standard name - it’s quite specific…. so I would need to change the whole thing all together and have yet to come up with a good alternative.

The other thing that just grinds my gears about it is that if I switch my name, I have to do all the backend work that comes with that (llc, rights, distributor, branding, etc).

I want to be optimistic about a name change, it is just a lot of work and re-branding when I’ve yet to even land on something else I like. Im not entirely opposed, I just don’t see a different name clearly for me.

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blackmilksociety t1_j6lc192 wrote

Do you mean this guy?

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