Dance et al., the experimental project led by Johnny Dance, returns with The Things We Do With The Time We Have, a transformative album born from solitude and meticulous craftsmanship, set to release on February 28, 2025. Out now is the focus track, ‘A Seamine Symbol’, with a beautiful accompanying video available to view below. Created during a period of introspection near Boston, the album marks a shift from collaborative experimentation to a more internal, studio-driven approach where the studio itself becomes an instrument. The ten tracks, performed and recorded live with no overdubs, span over 135 minutes of textured, meditative soundscapes blending analogue synths, drum machines, and electric guitar for a raw yet refined sonic experience. Featuring a rare and emotionally-charged collaboration with Kelly Dance on ‘A Seamine Symbol’, the album exemplifies Dance et al.‘s commitment to long-form, analogue-driven compositions that capture both sonic precision and emotional depth. Fans of Nils Frahm, Hania Rani, and Stars of the Lid will appreciate the meticulous artistry and timeless atmosphere of this transformative release.
Directed by Nads Spencer, the music video for ‘A Seamine Symbol’ mirrors the album’s themes of solitude and mindfulness, blending documentary and music video elements to explore personal stories of individuals finding freedom in solitary activities, culminating in an immersive and contemplative experience.
Read our interview with Dance et al. and watch the stunning music video for ‘A Seamine Symbol’ – available early exclusively via PLAYY Magazine – below.
Paint us a picture: what sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
For me it was less moments and more influences. I was always trying to write things, draw things and play music. As long as I can remember. Creativity was always encouraged in my home.
Mr Parker, my 7th grade teacher encouraged me to write poetry and introduced me to the British Romantic Poets. Blake especially (and Keats) pushed me to explore the transcendental and art. Music being a lifelong practice became the main focal point of that exploration organically over time.
I also was heavily influenced by my father’s cousin, Graeme Goodall. He was a musical engineer (a very seminal figure in early Jamaican Ska and Reggae) and gave me my first microphone. He was always there to answer silly recording questions with deep knowledge.
When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
With this record, I knew I wanted everything outside of the computer, using the computer as the recording medium only. I also knew the instruments I wanted to use, as well as the process of recording everything in singular, long form takes.
From there., the music came as I continued to think about certain objects, people or places, using the recording process as a meditative procedure.
What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
My main synths are:
Moog One
Deckard’s Dream by black corporation
ISE-NIN by black corporation
Prophet 10
Tasty Chips Gr-1 (a granular synth)
Vermona PERfourMER
I also use a Squarp Hapax as a sequencer, and a Fender Stratocaster through a host of pedals into a DI.
This was then all recorded via a Wunder audio wunderbar 16 track recording console and into Protools. It was mixed through the same console. This is a recent thing for me. It really made everything come together. And meant the computer really stayed away from the process outside its role as a tape machine.
In terms of effects. Reverb is mainly a Bricasti M7, an even ride space and an Oto reverb unit. I also have a bunch of delay petals and tape echo’s that were used where they made sense: delay is aver y important part of many of the sounds I was looking to achieve. Each delay was selected for how it sounded. Drowning on how the synth was being used. (Reverbs also.) my favourite delay being the Moog analogue delays. (I have 2).
What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
Turn on the equipment. Turn down the lights. Sometimes I like to put on something visual. There’s some great footage of a train in (I think Norway) that goes for 9 hours. That really helps take things down a level.
As I also mentioned, I like to really focus on the object, person or place I want to imbibe (the songs are often/mostly named after such references).
I spent a lot of time reading Graeme Harmans work on object-orientated ontology. Talking about “the quadruple object”. And how objects impact each other and the observer. So, I tried to focus on those ideas (or the residual ones in my mind at least)
What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
I have a notebook. Not for creating. But for post-creating. Remembering what was where. Keys. tempo, settings. I’m trying to make the impulsive repeatable. So, I need to remember.
How did you ultimately end up defining your sound?
Slowly. With a lot of consideration as to the sound and feel of things.
How has your creative process or perspective shifted since you started your journey?
It keeps evolving. As you work on sounds and songs you use up some ideas. So, there is a continual process to absorb, steal, reflect and draw on new ideas and experiences.
Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
Getting to record my wife’s second album in Berlin at the Funkhaus in an enormous soundstage is still higher to me than what humans are capable of building (in this case a fantastic studio) if they want it.
Listening to Dark Side Of The Moon on their EMI mastering console at Abbey Road is also up there.
Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
I loved that my wife lent her beautiful and unique guitar sounds to one song on this album, A Seamine Symbol. It really charged the direction of the whole album. It really is very calming at the right time. It was very wonderful to get to improvise with her and lay that down in one take.
Any side projects you’re working on?
My other project, The Killing Words, is always ever present in the back of my mind when the spirit moves me to write ballads, as opposed to composition.
Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
I absolutely loved Wendy Eisenberg’s record from last year. (Viewfinder). I’d love to see her perform live.
What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
I have children. They really love ‘Spanish Flea’ by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. My oldest also loves ‘Snowblind’ by Black Sabbath. So those get a lot of airtime and strangely work together.
Which song, album or playlist do you never get sick of no matter how many times you listen to it?
Albums:
Jason Molina: Pyramid Electric Company
Songs Ohio: Magnolia Electric Company
Radiohead: Kid A
Talk Talk: Laughing Stock
Celer: Nacreous Clouds
Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes: Os Afros Sambas
John Coltrane: A Love Supreme
Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
I continue to try and explore some math now and then (set theory, category theory). How to Bake Pi by Eugenia Cheng is a great place to start if interested in category theory. I’m no mathematician, but I find it amazing as it’s the ultimate abstraction. I’m still trying to get my head around the Yoneda Lemma.
I was reading about someone today who was described as a former moralist: I’d like that to be my job title one day!
If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
I quite like the current one: The Things We Do With The Time We Have.
The secret track would be called: ‘Meteoria’
Give us a glimpse into the future – what surprises or milestones are coming up for you this year?
I am preparing my next album of long-form ambient recordings. I have some ideas for the direction conceptually. I just need to work on them.
Famous last words?
I wish I had more champagne!
(Stolen from John Maynard Keynes)
Pre-save The Things We Do With The Time We Have HERE.
Follow Dance et al.:
Spotify – Apple Music – Instagram – Sound Cloud – BandCamp
