FEATURE:
The Digital Mixtape
IN THIS PHOTO: Gretel (formerly Gretel Hänlyn)
Artists Who Have Changed Their Names
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FOR various reasons…
IN THIS PHOTO: Radiohead (formerly known as On a Friday)
you get artists who change their name. It might be for legal reasons or the need to alter identity or enter a new phase of their career. Some bands change their names before they get into the public eye. Radiohead used to be On a Friday. Blur were Seymour. Even The Beatles went through various incarnations before they became The Beatles – including The Quarrymen, Johnny & the Moon Dogs, and The Silver Beetles. I often wonder how it affects their catalogue. Being listed under more than one name. Whether a new name means a new artist. If you can discount material before. I guess it can depend on the act. I can understand if an artist has to change their name of their feel their old one needs to be updated. Maybe it can be harder for fans of the future to find them or discover all of their work. I am compelled to do this playlist because the amazing London artist Gretel Hänlyn has dropped the second name. Going now be that one-word forename – whose real name is Maddy Haenlein -, is now trading as Gretel. Maybe less distinct in terms of setting her aside from the crowd, I think that it signifies a new stage of her career. Perhaps not wanting to be associated with the past, or perhaps fancying shortening the name. More Google-proof but perhaps more true to her music now, Far Out is her latest track. CLASH provide more details:
“Alt-pop voice Gretel returns with new single ‘Far Out’.
The singer made waves as Gretel Hänlyn, before opting to shorten her name. The reinvigorated Gretel launches a new chapter in her life with a headline show at London’s Omeara on Thursday (June 11th).
New single ‘Far Out’ is a window into her world, with Gretel opting to write in her “sarcastic, rebellious” voice. Co-produced by pop wunderkind mura masa, it’s an instantly catchy track, with her biting lyrics offset by some super melodies.
Released via her own imprint Breadcrumb Records, in partnership with AWAL Recordings, ‘Far Out’ presents Gretel in her fully independent era.
She comments…
‘Far Out’ is a big window into my personality and my favourite bits of the writing process; it’s aloof and came from a kinda sarcastic, rebellious place. There’s elements in the song that I never thought would make the Final Cut, like the loud, constant beeping, but once I started conceptualising the deadpan dancing in the music video, I realised those elements only added more personality.
I had an idea a long time ago that I wanted to do a weird dance for a music video but I was waiting for a suitable song to whip out my moves. Alex was actually the one to show me the iconic Bob Fosse club dance scene in his film ‘Sweet Charity’, said it looked like something I’d do, and I was dazzled. The music video pays homage to that scene, and I used styling as a direct nod to Suzanne Charny’s character. This song is the first of many more”.
To honour both Gretel and the other artists who have changed their name and, as such, signified this evolution and new identity/part of their career, I am going to end with a playlist of songs from artists who have changed their name. Whether it was before they became publicly known and embraced or later in their careers, there are a lot of famous cases. You will hear some songs from some legends and modern greats. All brilliant and interesting tracks. Artists we might know previously as someone else. Or maybe unaware that they changed their name. A mixtape dedicated to…
THE game of the name.