This guest post is by Deb Chachra; she writes the blog zed equals zee.
For new artists, any discussion of a band name is likely coupled with a domain name search to make sure the URL is available, since they are constantly being told how to have an effective online presence. But there is an interesting phenomenon emerging: in a world where all information is a click away, some artists are choosing to be deliberately difficult to find on the Internet.
Ingroups and outgroups have existed as long as, well, culture. Or possibly earlier. And music has always seemed to be particularly susceptible to the distinction, as evidenced by the preponderance of hipster music jokes. So perhaps it's no surprise that artists are taking advantages of Internet-age quirks to narrow their fanbase. Here are a few example strategies:
For new artists, any discussion of a band name is likely coupled with a domain name search to make sure the URL is available, since they are constantly being told how to have an effective online presence. But there is an interesting phenomenon emerging: in a world where all information is a click away, some artists are choosing to be deliberately difficult to find on the Internet.
Ingroups and outgroups have existed as long as, well, culture. Or possibly earlier. And music has always seemed to be particularly susceptible to the distinction, as evidenced by the preponderance of hipster music jokes. So perhaps it's no surprise that artists are taking advantages of Internet-age quirks to narrow their fanbase. Here are a few example strategies:
- Have a nondescript name: I've long thought that the band The The had the most perfectly unGoogleable name, but since they pre-date the Internet and are deservedly well-loved, typing 'the the' into Google does, in fact, give you their official website as well as many ancillary sites (although note that the sixth hit is a typo in NASA's Image of the Day). But even for a post-Google band, having a generic name as a route to obscurity can be a dangerous strategy, as success makes you easier and easier to find. When I first started listening to The National, it was almost impossible to find their website unless you knew ahead of time that the URL was www.americanmary.com, after an early song—it's now the first hit. (Of course, The National weren't actually trying to be obscure.)
- Hide behind special characters: GL
