Becoming an anonymous artist can add an air of mystery to your brand and separate your personal life from your artistic endeavors. However, it can be challenging to navigate the legal and technical aspects of creating an anonymous identity.
The information online about it isn’t fulfilling, and a lot of it is just plain wrong. So, being since we’ve actually helped an artist become anonymous before, we know how to both legally and properly do it.
Being an anonymous artist isn’t just about hiding your face and using an alias as other articles will tell you, you need to be paid, and you need to be able to upload music without fear of your name getting out. So here are the steps you need to take to become an anonymous artist.
1. Choose a Stage Name and Persona
The first step to becoming an anonymous artist is to choose a stage name. This name should be unique, memorable, and not already in use by another artist. Take some time to brainstorm names that reflect your style and the persona you want to project to your audience.
After picking your name, choose your persona, how you want to appear. Are you wearing a mask like slipknot, marshmello and sleep token? Do you want to be an animated project like Gorillaz? Are you going to play a character? How will you appear in your social media branding? Think this through very well, if you’re crafting a character have a backstory and everything for them.
2. File for an Anonymous LLC
An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, provides legal protection and anonymity for business owners. When you form an LLC, your personal assets are shielded from any debts or legal issues that arise in connection with your business, and LLC’s are treated like an Entity or a Person. We recommend all musicians get an LLC. (read our article “Why all Musicians Need an LLC” to learn more about the benefits of an LLC)
Only certain states allow you to be anonymous when filing for an LLC To form an anonymous LLC, you will need to use a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or company that is designated to receive legal notices and other important documents on behalf of your LLC. This person’s name and address will be listed on public records, but your name will not be associated with the LLC. You can hire a registered agent service or choose someone you trust, like a lawyer or accountant, to act as your registered agent.
We recommend using ZenBusiness as they are a good way to save money if you do the articles of organization and operating agreement yourself, but they also will guide you through the process for a fee. They also have a Registered agent service to make it convenient to do both. It’s important to note that Only certain states allow for LLC owners to remain anonymous. The most business friendly state for anonymous LLC’s is current Delaware (you don’t need to live in the same state where your LLC is filed).
You can use the link below to start the process.
File an LLC with ZenBusiness (We recommend using Delaware, but other states that allow anonymous LLC’s are Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming).
I’d also recommend reaching out to them and making them aware of your intention for anonymity so there’s no confusion, and don’t forget about your registered agent.
3. Register for an EIN
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a unique identifier that is assigned to your LLC by the IRS. This number is necessary for tax purposes, and you will need it to open a business bank account and file taxes. You can obtain an EIN by filling out an application on the IRS website.
4. Open a Business Bank Account
Now that you have your LLC and your EIN, go online and open a Business Bank Account at whatever bank you choose. You will want this So you don’t have to use your Personal Card and Name when purchasing or receiving payment. Ask if they can only list your LLC on this card and not your personal name, as some banks require the cardholder’s name.
5. Grab a Domain and a Custom Email
To establish your online presence, you should purchase a domain name and create a custom email address that incorporates your stage name (I.e. “artist@artist.com” . A domain name is the web address that people will use to find your website, and a custom email address will help protect your identity and adds a professional touch to your communications.
Be sure to use your LLC’s information to purchase the domain, as the domain owner’s name is provided publicly when using some services.
When choosing a domain name, try to keep it simple and as close to your stagename as possible. You can use a domain name registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy to search for available domain names and purchase them. For your email address, you can use a service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 to create a professional email account.
For our client we used:
Google Domains (Now Squarespace) for our domain name. It’s cheap and reliable.
Google Workspace for our email service. It’s cheap as well and it allows you to do multiple emails under 1 user so you can have “Artist@artist.com, info@artist.com, contact@artist.com” etc. and it’s not a pain to setup like most of the other services, because both products are google. This is a referral link, but we actually use it, so even if there wasn’t a referral we’d still be posting it.
6. Trademark Your Stage Name
The last thing you want to do is go through all of this work and then someone either steal your name, or even worse, extort you by buying the trademark from underneath you. Trademarking your stage name is a way to protect your brand and prevent others from using your name without your permission. A trademark gives you exclusive rights to use your stage name in connection with your artistic endeavors, and allows you to take legal action against anyone who infringes on your rights.
To trademark your stage name, you will need to conduct a trademark search to ensure that no one else has already registered a similar name. You can do this by searching the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) database or using a trademark attorney to conduct the search for you. If your search is clear, you can file a trademark application with the USPTO.
7. Register Your Stage Name in Your PRO (ASCAP, BMI, etc.)
PROs, or Performing Rights Organizations, are responsible for collecting royalties on behalf of songwriters and composers. If you plan to release music under your anonymous stage name, you should include it in your PRO registration. This ensures that you receive proper credit and royalties for your work.
The most well-known PROs in the United States are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. To join a PRO, you will need to fill out an application and provide information about your music and performance history.
All PRO’s have their benefits, it’s important to pick which one is right for you as this is a long term commitment. We use ASCAP, but we recommend messaging whoever you chose to use and talking to them about your anonymity as this can vary with each PRO.
8. Start Your Social Media Pages
Social media is an essential part of promoting your music and building a fan base. When starting your social media pages, use your stagename as your username and make sure not to use any personal information that could identify you. Be consistent and use the same username across all platforms to build your brand identity and make it easy for fans to find you.
Be sure to create all new accounts with your LLC and your Custom Email. You may even want to get a Google Voice Number so you don’t use your own number.
9. Upload Music to Your Distributor
Once you have your LLC, EIN, domain, email, trademark, and social media accounts set up, you’re ready to start releasing music. When uploading your music to a distributor, make sure that nothing is connected to your actual name. This includes the artist name, song titles, and any metadata associated with the track.
It’s essential to keep your anonymous identity separate from your personal life to maintain your privacy and avoid any potential legal issues. Your distributor should be able to assist you with this process and ensure that your music is released under your stage name only.
If you don’t have a Distributor we recommend using Distrokid as it’s who we use.
And if you don’t know what a Distributor is, have never released music before, or are looking for a strategy on how to release your music, we recommend downloading our ebook “How to Properly Release Your Music”
10. Keep It a Secret
Finally, it’s essential to keep your anonymous identity a secret. Avoid sharing any personal information or posting photos that could reveal your identity. If you do interviews or other promotional activities, make sure to keep the focus on your music and artistic endeavors.
Don’t tell your parents, or family, or friends because we’ve seen it with our own artist. He did his whole project, followed all of these steps, and his mom was just so excited, she shared his music saying “My son’s new anonymous project!” and tagged him. Not even kidding, if I knew how to insert the laughing crying emoji here I would. Thankfully he explained to her why she can’t tell anybody and the post was taken down quickly, but it was pretty funny, and scary, when it happened.
Anyways…..Becoming an anonymous artist can be an exciting and empowering experience, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following these steps, you can establish a unique brand identity and protect your personal privacy. Remember to focus on your music and creative pursuits and let your anonymous persona speak for itself.
