Dancing On Tables Discusses Their New Single, Indie-Pop & Brexit In An Exclusive Interview

‘Black’ is the latest single from Scottish pop-rock band, Dancing On Tables. They also recently released ‘Colour Me Good’ and ‘Stereo’. The five-piece, who were originally friends at school, named themselves after arriving at a show, without a band name. When asked for their name they noticed that people were dancing on tables and decided to run with it.

They new single ‘Black’ is a soft, intimate portrayal of heartbreak. It is a romantic song but explores the longing felt for someone and thinking about them all the time (“Holding onto you is all I know”).

When the chorus kicks in, it is quite catchy in contrast to the melancholy feel of the song.

The band also sing of regret and how hindsight affects a relationship (“I thought that I’d be better off when I am free, but all I see is you without me”) and that all too familiar feeling of realising what you had was taken for granted, after the fact/when it’s too late (“You never see it until it’s gone”).

‘Black’ is a track which demonstrates the band’s incredible versatility when it comes to songwriting and the music they produce.

Neon Music caught up with Dancing On Tables to find out more:

Can you give us some background info on ‘Dancing on Tables’?
We all went to school together and started playing music as a way to get out of classes. After a while, we realised that people were enjoying the music that we were writing in our spare time so decided to start a band.

Tell us about your latest single ‘Black’
It was written in a Nashville hotel room on a sparkly pink guitar. It was inspired by a friend of ours who was going through a nasty break-up and how he had so many mixed emotions about that. From there, we turned it from a slow acoustic track into the one you have today.

You’ve just supported Cassia on tour, how was that?
We had a great time with them. It was fun to play new venues and cities that we hadn’t been to before and were amazed at the response we had from their fans.

How does it feel to be headlining your own tour in Scotland and what can viewers expect from your shows?
It’s exciting to be doing our biggest Scottish tour yet. We’ve mixed it up a bit for this tour and have some brand new material we’ll be trying out, as well as a few other surprises thrown in.

What is the live music scene like where you are from?
Scotland is bursting with talent at the moment, so it’s going to be a really interesting few years to see the scene blow up. It’s got a good variation to it as well, with every band trying to make their own style of music. A very supportive scene to be a part of.

What do you think the effect of Brexit might have on new music – especially live music, in Northern cities?
The North already feels disassociated from the rest of the UK and Brexit is only going to make that divide more intense. We’re being dragged into something that we didn’t want, and it’s going to make life more difficult for everyone. The smaller venues that champion grass-roots music have a hard enough time as it is- the closure of so many Edinburgh venues being one example- without the economy and tourism being jeopardised further by Brexit.

What do you think about the indie-pop landscape in the UK at the moment and where do you think you fit in?
It’s a great scene to be a part of at the moment which is only going to get bigger. We make an effort to keep our influences varied and keep an open mind with what we’re listening to, so it’s hard to compare ourselves side by side with other bands.

Is there a hidden meaning or message in any of your music?
It wouldn’t be hidden anymore if I answered that.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Gregor used to be my (very bossy) boss at a restaurant.

If you weren’t in music what would you be doing?
Callum studied Classical Music and I did Accountancy at Uni, so something incredibly different from one another.

Listen to ‘Black‘

Dancing On Tables Tour Dates
Aberdeen Cafe, – 24th April
Edinburgh, The Caves – 25th April