Those Dancing Days
Rocklouder caught up with Those Dancing Days to talk about Sweden, UK audiences and who they’d like to see at Glastonbury...
It’s uncommon here in the UK hear much from the Sweden, whose best known exports to these shores are Ikea and a dubious former England manager. Neither of these impress Rocklouder very much. So when talk begins to circulate about hot young band Those Dancing Days, Rocklouder decides to saddle up and check them out. First however, it’s worth dispensing with a little history.
Forming from college in 2005, their name springs from a similarly titled Led Zepplin song. And it seems that some of the Zep’s luck has rubbed off on their girls. Their debut EP, released in native Sweden in 2007, was popular enough to get them nominated for an MTV Europe Award for Best New Swedish Act (“We didn’t win it but it was nice to be thought of†drummer Mimmi tells me). Their first single was made available in the UK in a limited quantity only, and their new single - the bravely titled ‘Hitten’ (translates into English as ‘The Hit’) - is now on regular rotation both on radio and music TV here in the UK. And it’s living up to its name.
The attraction of Those Dancing Days’ music is an odd one, for the music they play is unashamedly pop. Oddly though this is part of their appeal. Catchy, fun and easy to dance to, songs like ‘Discho’ and ‘Swagger’ contrast with the material of the current deluge of guitar-indie bands in that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. By removing the attitude from their music, Those Dancing Days make themselves instantly likeable to a UK audience.
The real appeal, however, lies in the honest and organic nature of their music. Here is a band born from high school spirit yet maintaining it through the ravages of fame and touring. From the straight-up rhythmic guitar parts to the sporadic organ solos is playful there’s a cheering teasing playfulness about their music. This is only capitalised on by vocalist Linnea. Unassuming to the eye with her large ginger afro and petit stature, she’s capable of a powerful soul voice and that leaves the likes of Joss Stone spitting curse words into her mojito. And all in perfect English too – astonishing!
Beautiful, young and talented, on paper this band appears the perfect package. Perhaps too perfect. Having been the victim of hype in the past, I approach with a sceptical nature. Are these girls really such innocent darlings of pop, or the product of a cunning cold hard marketing ploy?
From first contact, it’s obvious that it’s the former. Walking into their abandoned cupboard of a dressing room at Islington Bar Academy, I’m greeted by the sight of guitarist player Rebecka scribbling the set list on to the back of drummer Cissi’s hand. No laminated set lists here then. Meanwhile, Mimmi stares hard through her thick plastic rimmed glasses as she huddles over a crumpled post card undoubtedly heading for home. They may be a successful band, but they are still young and surely miss home a whole lot when they're on the road.
Yet if a longing for home is hindering the trip then this band aren’t not showing it. Indeed Those Dancing Days are instantly warm to my unannounced arrival. Luckily, their English was far better than my Swedish, and an interview gets underway. I begin by asking them about their hopes for being in the UK. Polite and smiling they are coy about their prospects of break the UK. “What we have heard from other Swedish musicians is that England is harder to flirt with†Lisa tells us. Struggling to think of Swedish musicians other than Abba, Rocklouder briskly moves on.
Reception from UK press has, so far, been warm. Yet at the end of the day it’s contact with an audience that really capitalises on a band’s success. Luckily it seems that Those Dancing Days don’t mind large crowds. Indeed, they relish them. “We like it most when there’s much people†Lisa tells me in slightly broken yet still impressive English, “so we can play and get intimate with the crowdâ€. Evidence from the gig later that night certainly supports this, and the crowd’s demands for ‘more’ at the end of the night suggests I’m not the only one who appreciates this odd intimacy shared between five girls and hundreds of people.
But if this band thrives on larger audiences, then what about the largest audiences? With their success only likely to rise, I ask their intentions regarding the summer festival. And in doing so, I discover a secret, naughty desire of sorts. “We’d like to go to Glastonbury with Arctic Monkeys - that would be great†Lisa tells me with a short burst of embarrassed giggles. Seems this is perhaps more than a musical appreciation of the Sheffield band. But to save further embarrassment more is said on the matter. So... plans to play Glastonbury? There is a definite positive vibe, before a more level-headed Mimmi adds “Definitely, but if the money was rightâ€. An odd comment maybe, but easy to forget the extra cost of playing in the UK than mainland Europe. And cost seems to be an obstacle to the girls setting up home in the capital. “It’s a bit too expensive†Mimmi points out to the agreement of the rest of the band.
So while the girls won’t be taking up residence here any time soon, festival dates seem to be pretty much a given. But for those who can’t wait for the summer, is there a chance of hearing an album any time soon? “We don’t know, we haven’t finished it yet†Linnea adds, while Cissi drops in quickly “Around about September†backed up by Rebecka pointing out that “We don’t want to rush itâ€. They certainly have the material, but perhaps it’s the wiser band that waits to hone its talents before it records.
That won’t be any comfort to the swathes of people that attend their three brief London gigs. But it’s good to know there is a future planned for this band. They come across as a rare piece of genuine, if innocent talent in a ferocious music industry currently tearing itself apart. Can such sweet musicians writing songs about ice cream and boys really cut it? Posing this final question, I get a wry smile from Cissi - “I think we’re not as sweet as everyone says. We’re like candy that’s salty on the insideâ€. That’s easy enough to believe. Not desiring to get on their ‘salty’ side, it’s time for Rocklouder to make its departure.
The test for this band will be to keep the balance between their ‘sweet’ and ‘salty’ sides – to not let the pressures of the road tarnish their bubblegum pop and high school band dynamic. Whether they can do this will be the determining factor as to whether Those Dancing Days remain a good Swedish band, or become a great international band. Yet something says that such big steps into the music world won’t be a problem for this band. Indeed, they’ll probably dance them.Jon Bye
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