Guidelines - 2. ArtistAdding Artists2.1.1. Entering an artist name that is not in Discogs will create a new artist page. It is important that we try to keep artist names as organized as possible, so please use the search function for all of the artist names you enter on your submission. As soon as the 'submit' button is pressed, the artist will have a page created listing the release. The artists profile cannot be added until the artist has at least one release voted correct. 2.1.2. Names are entered as they appear on the release. Use the join field to link multiple artists as they are linked on the release, with a comma between them if there is no joiner on the release itself. Use the ANV function for name variations. Abbreviations follow the usual rules. Artist Fields2.2.1. The artist field at the top of the submission form is where we put the main artist for the release. This is considered to be the artist or artists named on the front cover of the release, or otherwise billed as such.
2.2.2. More than one main artist can be entered by adding another artist field. This is done by clicking the large button (the large x button removes the field). When you add another artist field this way, you will see that another field is added beside the existing artist field, this is called the join field, and is for adding words or symbols that join the two artists together, for example 'And', 'Featuring', '/', ',' etc. Please don't leave the join field empty, if there is no join used on the release, just enter a comma.
The small plus sign Special Artists2.3.1. The following artist names are used as generic pages when the credit isn't for a specific artist:
Artist Naming Conventions2.4.1. Different Artists with the same name -- For example, two artists named John B should be entered as "John B" and "John B (2)". The (2) is not part of the name but is used to distinguish the two artists. If you need to create a third, use (3) and so on. 2.4.2. For artist names beginning with 'The', The Artist should be entered as "Artist, The". For example: "RZA, The". This rule only applies to the English definite article. "The" should always go at the end of the name, even with a compound artist name (that is, a single name made up of two or more names such as Bird And The Bee, The). Artist names with 'The' in the middle of the name should not have the 'The' moved, for example Ian Dury And The Blockheads. Artist Name Variation (ANV)2.5.1. In order to link variations of an artists name, but keep the same artist profile, Discogs uses a system called Artist Name Variation, or ANV. The ANV is set directly on the submission form, click the small plus sign beside the artist field to open the ANV field. Please see the Quick Start ANV guide for an example of how ANVs are created. 2.5.2. ANVs should be used for variations in an artist name such as changes to nicknames, language based differences (translations), abbreviations, different initials etc. The existing Artist Name MUST be entered as it currently appears in the database as well, with any variation on the release added as the ANV (the ANV cannot exist on its own). 2.5.3. ANVs should not be used if the artist uses the name to differentiate their work, in this case an Alias is more appropriate. 2.5.4. ANVs should not be used for any fundamental name changes, such as surname changes. In these cases, an Alias is more appropriate. If in doubt, do not create an ANV 2.5.5. Do not use the ANV field on unlinked credits 2.5.6. The Primary Artist Name should be the most relevant version of the Artists Name. For example, when the artist has a "recording name" it should be the Primary name, and the variations found in the releases fine print should be the ANV. 2.5.7. Normal capitalization rules apply. ANV's should NOT be created for variations in capitalization. 2.5.8. If there is a case whereby there are two Artist Name Variations present on a release for the same credit (for example there is D. Bowie on the cover for a vocal credit, and D. H. Bowie on the label for the vocal credit), only one can be entered. The submitter should choose one based on such things as viability of the names, clarity and fullness of the data, and existing names already used in the database. 2.5.9. Typography and punctuation - ANV's can be entered to reflect what is on the release. Variations in punctuation, spelling, spacing, etc., are allowed, providing they exist on the release. Variations in accents are allowed. However, using Cyrillic and other such Unicode fonts to reflect graphic design decisions such as reverse letters should not be done. 2.5.10. If the ANV artist has 'The' in the title, then it should be listed with 'The' after the name, the same way it is done for main artists, for example Artist, The.
The Join Field and Artist Collaboration2.6.1. The join field is used for the words that link two or more artist names together, such as 'vs.', 'Meets', 'And', '&', 'w/', and 'With' . Abbreviations are accepted if they appear that way on the release. The join field can also be used to enter separators (such as commas or slashes), if they appear on the release. Please don't leave the join field empty, if there is no join used on the release, just enter a comma. 2.6.2. Artists which commonly collaborate together should be listed as one artist. Examples: "Ed Rush & Optical", "Dom & Roland" (it's really one person), "Giovanni & Mosler" and "Olga Jozef". 2.6.3. Artist collaborations which are one-off recordings should be listed as separate artists. If this one-off collaboration becomes an ongoing recording team then they can be updated to one artist entry later. 2.6.4. Do NOT attempt to split artists who regularly collaborate. (Regular collaboration consists of 3 or more collaborations (different releases), excluding remix EPs). Main Artist Credits2.7.1. When a main artist or track based main artist is credited on a release for the following, a credit must also be added into the credit section:
Eponymous Artists2.8.1. Artists with the same name as their groups, bands, or projects should be listed in the database as separate artists - (for example Marilyn Manson and Marilyn Manson (2), Alice Cooper and Alice Cooper (2)). Solo artists with backing bands (for example Ozzy Osbourne or Frank Sinatra) should not be treated as bands, 'In Groups' for the backing musicians should not be applied to them. Crediting Unnamed Groups2.9.1. Sometimes, a release will credit a group of people or performers involved in the release, such as Chorus, Choir, Orchestra, Ensemble, Cast, Company etc, but not give them a proper artist name. When entering such vague groups, a full artist name of the group should, if possible, be taken from the film, show, etc. that the grouping was involved in, and added to the front of the group, for example; the Chorus from the musical Paint Your Wagon should be credited like this: "Paint Your Wagon" Chorus When entering the details on the release, it is acceptable to use the ANV function to display the original performer credit, so for example it can be like this: "Paint Your Wagon" Chorus ANV Chorus Since an artist is created by doing this, the original submitter of the release should try to add at least a brief description of the group in the Artist Profile. For example, for the above example, this would be an acceptable description: "An unidentified group of chorus singers that appear in the "Paint Your Wagon" movie and subsequent soundtrack recordings." This method should not be used when the group is used in conjunction with a named artist, this should be added as one artist, for example Count Basie And His Orchestra Crediting Non-Specific Groups2.10.1. If a group of people are credited that aren't specific (for example: tribes, nations etc), credit them as an artist, and place the following in the artist profile:
2.10.2. The 'In Groups' function can be used if the non-specific group is a subset of a larger non-specific group, but specific artists and groups cannot be linked as part of a non-specific group Solo Artist Plus A Generic Band Of Musicians2.11.1. A Solo Artist + Generic Band Of Musicians is entered as a new group with the solo artist as a member, for example: Please make sure to add the solo artist as a member of that group using the In Groups function on the solo artists page. Related Topics: |
