Artists with "side projects"

[XS]

I was thinking about how some artists or projects, as soon as they introduce a nuance in their sound or subject matter, immediately create something new under a different name, as a new project. Or just for a one-off. Whereas there are also projects, such as Prurient or Grunt, which explore different aspects of both sound and subject matter under the same name. Incidentally, these acts certainly have their own 'side projects' (so to speak), but these 'side projects' really do take a different approach. So, in that way, I do understand. But...
The reason I was thinking about this was because I was scrolling through Richard Ramirez's discography, and I knew he used a lot of aliases and project names, but this is quite a list.

What do you think about this? Do you find it interesting when a project explores different approaches within its own framework? Or is it actually better to give it a different name? A collaboration with another artist, for example, can simply be that – or does it need to have a new name straight away?

Personally, I find it interesting when artists explore different sounds, angles and so on within a framework, as long as there is a particular focus.

[k.p.g]

I think with the examples you brought up, ideological exploration also plays a large role in the creation of these side projects. 

[The Devil´s Cormorant]

I personally like projects being coherent and concise artistic entities with clear character in terms of thematics, aesthetics, soundscapes. When I come across a new project I very quickly lose interest if it seems that it's just a collection of miscellaneous stuff. It just feels like there's nothing to latch onto. Another thing is the size of the discography. I equally quickly lose interest in projects that have much more than maybe 10 releases. It feels like it's often either the before-mentioned case of mixed collection, or alternatively a loosely curated conveyor belt of "more of the same for the sake of more" where the volume of material doesn't really add any value anymore and instead only works to cheapen everything.

[John Cagefight]

The reason I was thinking about this was because I was scrolling through Richard Ramirez's discography, and I knew he used a lot of aliases and project names, but this is quite a list.

Are there any artists besides Ramirez you would extend this sentiment to? His work seems to be a special case in this instance, as I usually take all the side projects in under the Ramirez banner - and not something discrete from his overall ouvre, whereas I experience Controlled Death as entirely discrete from Masonna, as a very obvious example. I'm hard pressed to think of artists besides Ramirez who operate quite like this, and wonder if it's more of an issue with "Ramirez" than "side projects" we're talking about here.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

I would also think some artists have different idea what "project" means. Some consider project just as another band. While for others project is a temporary, goal-oriented undertaking. Goal might be even something such as not really knowing what direction to go with your main work. Having urge to create, but what exactly. Recording CDR under project name, giving out to handful of people or uploading online, might give new ideas, inspiration, direction for the "main project". Some may not even consider project very consciously. It can be just the gut feeling, why something is "XE", why not "Bizarre Uproar".

Some people may argue that why publish all side project recordings, why not just keep them as "rehearsals" or give out privately to peers for comments. That is option, but also how far this is from doing it in form of couple dozen tapes or bandcamp upload? It's not like anyone is forced to get 'em all.

I generally like that projects have reason, well defined and restricted form. It's like spin off, that can be all linked to GRUNT, but it takes specific sound, specific theme or approach. Temporary nature can mean either restricted time or when the approach has been done to point there is nothing except repetition to do. Then project can be laid to rest.

It is sometimes revealing to return to old works. Like upcoming Grunt album, which is intentionally attempting to push forward, into things and sounds I have not done before. Kind of. It is still very much traditional song oriented Grunt sound, but curiously when I was listening some of the reissues of recordings I have done 20 years ago, it was almost amusing to see how this push to new directions is still so strongly bound to unconscious style and taste I have.

That is good sign, actually. That there is certain spirit and character present, even when doing "something else".

However, I do also understand someone who makes projects even when there is no logic or reason. Putting out same sort of stuff under other names. I mean, what would it be if there would be... 100 new Richard Ramirez full album uploads next year? I do prefer that he uses other names too.

[Stipsi]

I can talk for my projects.

Mademoiselle Bistouri is pure harsh noise with samples. The sound is a little bit more polished and "hifi". Edited. Not live. More layered. No vocals.

North Central is harsh power electronics with vocals. Sound are more straight forward, not polished and recorder live on tape. Very offensive and puerile on purpose.

Both projects have pretty uncomfortable topics, but North Central push the boundaries a lot more. Mademoiselle Bistouri is more "elegant" (less or more). North Central needs vocals to be even more effective.

Cytokine Storm is a total different story.
Is personal. It's about my struggle with mental illness. The sounds is very minimal and topics are mostly about my "relationship" with antidepressants and related to fight my bipolar and borderline disorder plus a recent diagnosis of a light asperger disorder.
I try to translate my personal experience to an universal one, so i don't use my own vocals, but if needed, samples from others that have my same problems.

All this just to say that talking about such different things with only one project was not ideal.
So i decided to divide.