lovepoint is a Brighton-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His eponymous debut EP was released in December 2018 and was praised for its originality and skillful composition. With producer Benjamin Wade, lovepoint has been recording a collection of tracks. The first to surface will be ‘Tortoiseshell‘ – a gorgeous duet with singer Indira May (out now).

Currently in rehearsals with his 4-piece band, lovepoint will be returning to the stage in 2020. And no two shows are the same: lovepoint’s raw technical ability and unforgettable stage-presence gives every track he performs a refreshing incarnation.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with lovepoint about the music, challenges, technology and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

How would you describe your music?

Unique – the most common piece of feedback I hear is that the music doesn’t sound like anybody else. That isn’t intentional, but I take it as a big compliment.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

It’s not really a choice – if I tried to stop writing songs tomorrow, I’d go off the rails. It’s very therapeutic. 

Do you feel that Tortoiseshell is different to previous releases? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

Well it’s the first time I’ve released a full-on duet, so that makes it different.

I had the idea of a duet in which a couple have separated and now live in different parts of the world and are singing to each other individually. Then the idea was that by their voices come together in the final chorus to sing in unison, so that there would be an element of hope that the relationship could be rekindled.

I also wanted the male chorus melody and the female chorus melody to each work individually, but work together so that in the last chorus, the voices are greater than the sum of their parts. Indira absolutely smashed her variations on the chorus melody.

Hopefully, we pulled it off. 

Name a challenge you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

You said it – over saturation. Thing’s like online adverts are becoming less and less effective because there are just so many of them.

Our generation, myself included, has seemingly developed this ability to filter out promotional posts, let’s say, on your Instagram feed and keep flicking through the accounts you follow to see how Lizzo’s looking today or what Dr Pimple-popper’s been up to.

In regards to how it’s helped us, a few playlisters who have an international audience have included lovepoint tracks in their playlists which has massively boosted our streams. We had over half a million streams last year with a promotional budget of £0, which isn’t bad.

What was the last song you listened to?

Let me have a look… it was Thundercat’s new single, Black Qualls. Cool track and 11 out of 10 for artwork. 

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

Vinyl, every time.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

As an artist, I prefer Bandcamp, because it’s much better financially and it’s motivating when someone opts to pay more than the asking price to download your music, which seems to happen about 50% of the time. That always means a lot. 

As a listener, I use Apple Music. Mostly on principle because they pay artists so much better than Spotify and I find it easy to use.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

My Instagram @lovepointmusic

Anything else before we sign off?

Listen to Bill Evans’ album, Alone. He was a genius.