Lesson 03 / 24 · 20 min · preparation time
Describe what you do
An artist description helps a listener or organiser understand your work quickly. You can change it as your music develops. Start with what someone can hear and experience rather than claims about success.
Work through it
- 1Write one sentence naming your musical role, sound and the experience you offer. Use words you would say aloud.
- 2Write a short biography of about 60–100 words: what you make, what gives it character, and what you are working towards now.
- 3Prepare a practical contact address and use a consistent artist-name spelling. Check whether another active artist uses a very similar name before investing in artwork or profiles.
- 4Ask someone unfamiliar with your music to read the description. Revise any phrase they cannot explain back to you.
- 5Check your proposed artist name across music services, social profiles and relevant trade-mark searches. A free username does not establish legal clearance. Before major spending or a disputed name, get appropriate advice.
You are ready to move on when…
You can leave an application or outside reply pending. Record the next step before moving on.
One-sentence introduction / short biography / artist-name spelling / public contact
Resources for this task
- Bandcamp: Artist Guide Platform guide · free to read · selling fees apply
- GOV.UK: search for a trade mark UK Intellectual Property Office · preliminary search
Further reading · Passman chapter references
Optional reading · Passman, 11th edition. Chapter 22: artist names and identity.
Optional reading from the 11th edition (2023). No purchase needed. US legal context: use current UK sources for local procedures.
Next: Set up a weekly business practice.
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