The Missing Frets -An Indie Roots Rock band originally from South Africa now in the US
Interview conduct March 15, 2021
By Dan Locke
Sitting in a thatched music studio, guitar in hand at his home in South Africa, Shaun Lovell (Co-founder of The Missing Frets) stumbled on a guitar riff that formed the skeleton of the song “Nothing in Between”. Over the years and much like a butterfly the song endured a process of metamorphosis from different rhythms, keys, and tempos before finding its way onto The Missing Frets album list.
You are from South Africa. How did you end up in the United States?
I first came to the states to study percussion with Buddy Helm, the drummer from Jeff Buckley, and where I met my wife Bindu. We moved back to South Africa for a period of time and then returned back to the USA in 2016.
How did you discover music?
I discovered music in the days of cassettes and Walkman’s, which was my listening device. But it was at a music festival in ’96 where it really hooked me to a point that I knew it was something I wanted to pursue.
How did you start to write music?
I always had an inclination to create and once I picked up a guitar the natural flow of writing songs seemed to be inevitable. I always felt I had something relevant to say and songwriting became my medium of choice.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
A friend had given me my first guitar, an acoustic Yamaha, and yes, I still have it.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
Haha, I have a few that I go to for various projects, all have their unique sound. But my main live performance guitar is an Epiphone Dot but fully hot-rodded with vintage wiring, upgraded pots, and caps including two Seymour Duncan, Pearly Gates Humbuckers.
How did your band form?
The band really formed once Bindu started playing bass.
How did you get your bands name?
We were sitting in our living room in South Africa after Bindu joined, throwing names around and liked the idea of being the solution to something missing. Then looking for something important in the music creative process the word frets came and just stuck.
Describe your music.
Our style is alternative Indie Rock, with chunky guitar riffs, evoked by South African roots. The sound is crafted together by metaphoric and thought-provoking lyrics.
What was your first performance at like?
Our first gig as a band was in South Africa at an awesome local pub called Linga Longa. The place was packed. The pub ran out of food but luckily not drinks.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Just BMI.
What makes a good songwriter?
Someone who can paint the image of a story through lyrics and melody that takes the listener on an emotional journey of the pervades space and time.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I actually cannot remember my first original song, and didn’t record it.
What is the process of writing your music?
I usually capture ideas and inspiration when they come, through the recording app on my phone. Then when I sit down to write I have a piece of inspiration to pull from. From there I will usually pick a riff and rhythm that suits the concept and try to nail down a verse, pre-chorus, and hook all in the same session. I then go back to enhance the lyrics with more abstract imagery till I am satisfied with the picture it paints in my mind. Most songs I like to write quickly and refine later.
Tell me about your new single “Nothing in Between”?
Over years and much like a butterfly the song endured a process of metamorphosis from different rhythms, keys and tempos before finding its way onto The Missing Frets album list.
Lyrically, “Nothing in Between”, is a story of friendship and romance. The vision of the song is of two friends who decided to take their friendship a step further into an intimate relationship but after failed attempts realized their un-destined future.
How was it to record it at Cardinal Recording?
Working with Mike and Steve from Cardinal Recordings was an awesome experience combining our skills and theirs together was an easy process that allowed us to create some good art
Bindu- Do you have formal dancing training?
Yes, I have a BFA in Dance and was a professional dancer in Philadelphia before picking up the bass.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
TriYoga® and plant-based diet.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
There is something magical about a tangible piece of merch with images and lyrics that you can put into a player to listen to a full band or artist that you love. Regardless of the medium, I think this will never die. However, that said, this is a modern time and streaming is a fantastic way to discover more artists closer to the sounds you like and there is also more opportunity for artists of niche genres to build a fan base than ever before. The downside to it all is the artist streaming revenue is not yet sufficient.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both!
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Pearl Jam, Alive. To live life to the fullest.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I think it temporarily shifted it; the heartbeat of music is too strong to kill. Yes, it has affected the music industry But I think it is going to cause a wave of the uprising and a greater appreciation to come with new acts, venues and opportunities.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
The best thing to do, write music, live stream, create videos, dream and create
What is Bliss Monkie?.
Bliss Monkie is our Yoga business.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
Well, Facebook was originally for the connection of Friends and Family; I think it will get back to the roots of what it was intended for. Definitely going to change the landscape for bands! I think it could actually forge better connections with fans and make it more personal. The challenge is FB doesn’t want you to leave the app. so promoting a gig such as a live stream in an external link not going to be so easy.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
I think an effective way to keep fans and build new ones is offering new songs regularly on streaming platforms, do regular live stream performances, and offer merch and news via email. This is an effective way to keep fans engaged whilst bringing in the new.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Not a thing we have done in the past and nor do we intend to do in the future.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
No, I don’t think it will save the music venues. I think it is too late for some of them to be saved, especially the smaller grassroots venues.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist? The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources. Have you applied for it yet?
No, I have not.
What is your happy place?
When I am in the music studio creating.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay, and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late ’80s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial. The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax-friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
Sure, they can buy them all for a good price. I will keep writing new material anyway.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds. The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
Well, more competition means we have to be better at our game to rise above the mud. I am aware that the deleted songs were mostly paid for streams. That said it would be good if Spotify honed in their marketing platform as an effective alternative for artists to promote their music.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Maybe in the future, but not for now.
The British government, buoyed by early good news on a brisk roll-out of vaccinations in the UK, set out a roadmap that, as things stand, would see the re-opening of large music events in the UK, with no audience limit, on June 21. Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, didn’t hang about after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made this announcement on Monday (February 22).
The companies quickly announced that their Reading & Leeds festival – an annual fest taking place across two locations in the UK with a combined capacity of around 180,000 – would be going ahead between August 27 and 29 this year, and that tickets were on sale. With this announcement Live Nation; USA wants to following the lead of Live Nation: UK. If this happens and live concert start happening this summer, would you be up to playing live shows again and under want precautions, would you like to have in place?
Yes, we will be playing live shows as soon as we can again. As long as the venues are adhering to current recommendations on safety.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
If you haven’t yet be sure to go check out our latest official music video for our song Nothing in Between on YouTube. Find us on your favourite streaming platform where you can like and follow. Come hang with us on Facebook and Instagram where we can get to know you better and get info on what is happening next. We will be putting out new singles and videos throughout the year. To stay in the loop head on over to our website themissingfrets.com and sign up to our newsletter to get the inside scoop on all this info right to your mailbox.
