What's /mu/'s opinion on solo artists releasing music under their name vs. adopting a moniker? As a listener, which option is more likely to alienate you from listening to that artist? Whatever name an artist uses to release their music under influences us as listeners to perceive that music a certain way, so is it subjective?
For example, when I was younger I hated on artists that used their real names (Billy Joel/Idol, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, even most jazz musicians). I thought they seemed conceited especially if they played with a full band. Today it doesn't bother me since I know this method is mostly used for the sake of simplicity ("I'll just go by my name, lolduh") and conceit is not usually the artist's intent. Still, to this day listening to a song by Mac Demarco will just make me picture Mac Demarco performing, which is still a little bit of a turn-off, whereas a moniker can be more open and ambiguous and may evoke more abstract imagery.