I caught up with London-based indie-pop trio Dance Lessons to discuss their musical journey and recent single 'Just Chemistry'. The band also share their experiences of being creative during lockdown and give advice to anyone who may want to pursue a career in music.
Hi Dance Lessons, tell us a bit about yourself! Hi there. We’re three humans who love making music together and just generally hanging out. It sort of became what it’s become as an offshoot of us enjoying spending time in each other’s company. We’re based in North London but our backgrounds are pretty geographically varied, so that all helps feed into our overall dynamic.
How did you guys meet?
Tom and Ann met at a party and got into an actual dance-off and then told me about this eccentric and talented frontwoman we had to form a band with.
Who have been your biggest musical influences, do you all have similar tastes in music?
Our tastes are quite varied but we share a love for 70’s disco, good bass lines and strong melodies. That’s partially what brought us together.
Your brand new single ‘Just Chemistry’ is an incredibly atmospheric track, how would you say the new single compares to your previous releases ‘New Job’ and ‘SMABTO’?
It’s definitely a bit of an evolution from the other two tracks, but builds on the quirkiness of SMABTO.
Could you tell us a bit about the meaning behind the single?
'Just Chemistry' is about the over-complication of our relationships. It’s about the things that are left unsaid in-between the awkward text messages and conversations, and how the absence of knowing can be misinterpreted as doubt. Last year was a difficult one. For a long time, I felt at the mercy of my emotions. I doubted where things were going. I lived in the future and found it hard to commit to the present. But these moments of not knowing can be equally thrilling and beautiful. And that’s what the song is about: finding beauty in the unspoken. In most cases, it’s chemistry that makes us fall in love. Things end, all is temporary. Let’s not go to war with one another over it.
Was it challenging to write new music during the pandemic given the restrictions in place?
It’s been a huge challenge. In part because it was hard to meet up and get together. But we made it work as best we could.
You’ve also released a music video for ‘Just Chemistry’ directed and edited by Simon Frost and Ben Hanson of Borderland Studios, could you tell us a bit about how you came to work with Borderland Studios?
Tom has been friends with Simon for a long time - Simon is a musician too, so even though this is his music video directorial debut, we knew he’d have great instincts along with his expertise in directing and producing film. Ben loved the last two singles and was totally onboard from the start. They were a privilege to work with.
What has been the most rewarding and challenging aspects of pursuing a career in music?
Being able to create music as a three and see the pleasure it brings people is incredibly rewarding. Unfortunately because of lockdown we haven’t been able to perform live yet, which has been a challenge as these songs are meant to be played live and danced to.
Are there any plans to record an EP or potentially an album?
Yes both! 2022 will be either an album release year or an EP, or both.
Some artists I have interviewed have experienced writer's block and a general lack of motivation to create new music during lockdown, have you had a similar experience? And if so, how do you overcome those periods of feeling a lack of creativity?
We’re sure that everyone feels that the pandemic has been draining emotionally and creatively. That’s part of what made it so difficult to come up with new music. So, on the one hand, yes, you had more time to be creative. But on the other hand, you were missing out on all these experiences that foster creativity in the first place. We’re hopeful it’s ending this year.
What do you hope your listeners take away from your music?
The sense that it’s all going to be ok. The tracks are all generally quite positive even if the topics can be a little more serious. It’s the overall messages that still aim to be uplifting.
What are your plans for the rest of the year? Will you be playing any gigs in the summer? Pending the government not messing up the roadmap out of lockdown, we wanna get out there and play to people! Hot, sweaty rooms and festivals. That’s where we’re at. But of course we’ll continue to write, record and release new music.
What advice would you give to someone who may want to pursue a career in music but doesn’t have the necessary equipment or tools to start recording during lockdown?
Lockdowns are a great time to research what equipment and gear you may need to get going. You could browse product videos and listen to interviews with producers and mixing engineers. Geek out on the tech front a little. At least, then you’ll be prepared for when lockdown ends.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I think David Bowie said ‘Never play to the gallery’. It’s so true - the music should always originate inside a musician’s own mind. Trying to sound like something or someone else, or second guessing what other people want never works. The best music is true to the artist who makes it.
Check out Dance Lessons' brand new single 'Just Chemistry' in the link down below!