Changed your artist name? Build a record of your old aliases.

Make a name timeline

Create a simple list of every name used on released music: solo aliases, band names, collaborations, credited spellings and former project names. Add approximate dates and one example release for each. Keep your legal identity information private; this is a working document, not a public biography.

A useful row might read: “Former project name — used around 2012–2015 — example release — label — evidence link”. This is an organisational example, not a real artist case.

Search one name at a time

Try the exact credited spelling first, then sensible variations such as punctuation or spacing. Save the search terms, source and date beside your result. Public searches are useful for finding possible matches, but do not replace records inside your own accounts.

SoundExchange’s official unclaimed-royalties search distinguishes several registration and claim statuses. A similar name needs to be matched to the correct person or recording before you draw conclusions.

Join the name to the right recording

For each possible match, compare the title, version, label and any recording identifier available. IFPI explains that an ISRC identifies a recording, rather than the performer or underlying composition. That makes it a useful reference alongside—not instead of—the names.

Keep two entries apart if you cannot establish that they refer to the same recording. “Unresolved match” is a useful result; forcing a match is not.

Ask a narrow correction question

Instead of asking “where are all my royalties?”, prepare a specific query: “This release uses my former credited name. Can you confirm how it is linked to my existing account?” Attach only the relevant evidence through the organisation’s approved channel.

Do not open extra society accounts or change registrations merely to make names look consistent. Ask the organisation how it handles aliases. Keep your original evidence and a log of any correction.

Next, read what an ISRC can—and cannot—tell you.