From Leeds to Switzerland: The Dassins talk Chris Moyles backing, indie hurdles, and playing 'down to ten men'

For Leeds-based indie outfit The Dassins, the release of their brand-new single “Should I Keep Speaking?” represents a massive step into uncharted territory.

Recorded at SugarHouse studios, the track pushed the band well out of their comfort zone. It marks their first major release and live outing after a prolonged hiatus - bringing a mix of high confidence and undeniable comeback nerves.

But navigating major transitions is nothing new to the band. Speaking about the evolution of their sound, guitarist Ewan explains how a pivotal shift in late 2023 fundamentally redefined how they write and perform.

“I always say being a three-piece is like being down to ten men in football,” Ewan says. “Each member has much more work to do than before. Riley had to play much busier melodic lines on the bass, Ed had to utilise dynamics more, and I had to look at different guitar effects like delay and chorus to fill more sonic space.”

That lean, interlocking three-piece dynamic has birthed a sound heavily indebted to the tightest new wave and post-punk architects of the late 70s and 80s.

Listeners will immediately catch the rhythmic, driving bass lines of Bruce Foxton (The Jam) and the atmospheric, chorus-heavy guitar tones of Andy Summers (The Police).

But it’s the influence of Elvis Costello that dictates the emotional weight of the new track. The band has masterfully leaned into the art of masking bleak narratives behind infectious, upbeat pop hooks.

“I’ve always been fascinated by how Costello can write a very upbeat song that’s actually got a very dark meaning - take ‘Oliver’s Army’ for example,” Ewan reveals.

“'Should I Keep Speaking?' is no different. It’s very upbeat but tells the story of a soldier trying to call his girlfriend, only for her to find he’s been killed when she calls back. Most people will miss this, but I strangely like that - like it’s a secret we know and they don’t!”

Bassist Riley adds that the tragic narrative fell into place naturally once the music was written: "Ewan had pretty much all of the music but was struggling with the lyrics. We focused mainly on coming up with a story that fit with the feeling of the music, and the tragedy within that situation just clicked."

Navigating the Independent Grind

The contrast between infectious melodies and heavy themes mirrors the band's day-to-day balancing act. In an era dominated by algorithmic demands, staying true to the music while feeding the social media machine is a constant battle. The trio remains incredibly disciplined, treating rehearsals at Leeds' Studio 84 with the upmost precision to ensure they have a backlog of content ready to post.

Beyond the digital grind lie the harsh economic realities facing independent artists in 2026.

"Streaming pays next to nothing unless you are globally famous," Ewan admits candidly. “We never take money out for ourselves; we have a shared bank account to reinvest every single penny we make right back into the band. But knowing what to invest in is sometimes a complete gamble."

Despite the hurdles, the band's passion is anchored firmly by their hometown roots and the thriving creative community around them: "There have been so many great bands that have played in venues in Leeds over the years," Riley says. "It feels great to be a part of keeping that spirit of live music alive in our home city."

The hustle is paying off in a major way. The Dassins are currently preparing for a massive international tour opportunity courtesy of European agency Band-Union, who caught wind of the band's material and mapped out a string of upcoming dates in Switzerland.

Closer to home, the momentum is building rapidly.

Radio legend Chris Moyles recently gave the band a massive shoutout on his Radio X Breakfast Show, teasing the new single to the nation. With the track officially dropping this week, the band has a clear directive for their fast-growing fanbase.

"Everyone reading this needs to bombard his show with messages to play it when it drops!" the band laughs.

With international stages waiting, a radio heavyweight in their corner, and a limited run of free physical CDs on offer at their upcoming gigs, The Dassins are proving that this particular Yorkshire three-piece has the tactical discipline to turn playing "down to ten men" into a winning formula.

The Dassins will make their return to the stage this Friday (June 19) at Oporto on Call Lane - tickets are £8.50 (including booking fee) and available now through Fatsoma.