Hailing from London, Dean Longden perfectly fits the description of ‘underrated gem’. A talented songwriter, singer and guitarist, the British creative champions a fresh indie ethos packed with personal lyricism and evocative imagery. ‘Cleansed’ is the perfect example of that; marking Longden’s return after a two-year hiatus, the record flourishes among a flurry of melancholia and introspection following a romantic breakup.
The resulting aural matter is certainly quite poignant, yet it is blessed by a keen sense of wonder and hope, acting as a cathartic relief from lingering memories and romantic pains. Such reflective songwriting drives a weirdly euphoric listening experience, in a slow-paced sense. Dean does a great job oscillating between quiet, gentle sections and more explosive resolutions, often accented by fierce, fuzzy guitars and full-bodied vocals.
Honestly, ‘Cleansed’ is a great record. It just works, and if this is anything to go by, we are expecting big things from the British hero. Intrigued by the project, we caught up with Longden to learn more about his artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hi Dean, thanks for chatting with us! First of all, congrats on your latest single, ‘Cleansed’. We’ll soon dive deeper into it; for now, I’d love to get a philosophical take on your approach to music and art. What motivated you to pursue music in the first place? Is that something you always felt close to? For many, artistic expression can be a healthy relief from a chaotic reality…
Hey! Thank you so much, and thank you for having me! My music journey started in late 2019. Going to my first ever gig (Sundara Karma at O2 Brixton) inspired me to experiment with music. My Mum mentioned to me once she had an old classical guitar up in the loft, so one quiet weekend after school, I asked her if I could use it to learn. I spent a good day or two watching YouTube videos trying to actually learn it, but ultimately I gave up. Then, in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, I found myself with a lot of spare time and locked in.
I still remember the feeling of first learning all my favourite songs, and it wasn’t long until I started writing my own material. When I finished secondary school, it was my time to choose what course I wanted to do at college. I was very close to going for a business course, but I took a leap of faith and, at the last minute, decided to study music production and performance. From there, my love for making and playing music just grew more and more each day. (Shoutout Matthew for being an amazing music teacher)!
Since leaving college in 2023, I’ve been in a few bands, but I decided I wanted to focus on my own sound and name earlier this year, and that’s where we are now! 🙂
Your catalogue so far is very sparse, with a debut in 2022, a follow-up the year after, and then a two-year gap until ‘Cleansed’. Why the long wait? Was there something going on in your life at that time? Also, what’s up with ‘Society’? I actually love the track, very leftfield and artsy!
Yes! My debut single, ‘Down The Road’, was actually originally recorded by me in college, as well as ‘Society’. ‘Society’ was originally part of an EP I had released in 2023, but the other songs got removed as I wasn’t happy with the production.
Regarding the long break between releases, that’s because I went through a very rough patch, probably the worst time of my life. My mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and had to go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. My world felt like it was falling apart, and I felt like giving music up for good, but despite her health issues, my Mum encouraged me to carry on. I started writing songs about how I felt and the things I was experiencing. Music became my outlet, an escape from what was going on in my life.
‘Cleansed’ sees you back in glorious fashion. In fact, it does kinda sound like a compromise between ‘Down The Road’ and ‘Society’. Indie and guitar-based, yet nuanced and cathartic. Its premise is rather emotional, as it was primarily written after a breakup, then shifting into a wider reflection around the concept of loss. I have to hand it to you, it’s a great record! Are you proud of how the song turned out? Is this a new era for Dean Longden?
Thank you so much! Yeah, I am so proud of this release. I think it’s definitely my best song yet. I have had so many people message me saying that the song is helping them through their own rough patches and breakups, which is exactly what I wanted the song to do. It makes doing music so worth it; my outlet becoming someone else’s outlet is something truly beautiful.
I think this is definitely a new era for me. I’ve taken a step into the professional side of music, and it’s really going to elevate my ideas and work.
Take us through your songwriting process; do you usually write alone, or perhaps in a team? Do you also produce? Also, how much of a guitarist are you, in terms of identity – as in, do you consider yourself a singer-songwriter, or a guitarist who also sings and writes?
Every song I’ve ever written has started the same way: in my bedroom, just me and my guitar. I usually begin with a simple chord progression and keep playing until words, feelings, and emotions start to come through. I always have a notepad by my side to capture anything that surfaces in the moment.
From there, I gradually piece the lyrics together until I have a solid foundation. If I feel a strong connection to the song, I’ll take it to the studio and record a demo, layering in keys, bass, guitar riffs, and any other elements that bring the track to life. I’ve always been very involved in producing my own songs, though I sometimes invite input from close musician friends. It’s important to have fresh perspectives, and their feedback often pushes me to improve.
As for how I see myself, I’d definitely say I’m a singer-songwriter first and foremost. That said, I also have a deep love for playing guitar and singing, whether it’s for my own material or alongside other bands. But at the heart of it all, my true passion lies in creating and performing my own songs 🙂
You seem very ingrained in the London music scene; not only a talented musician yourself, but also someone who appreciates fellow creatives thriving in their lane. What are some of the bands and artists that have caught your attention lately?
Absolutely! I’m a true believer that London is THE best city in the world for grassroots music. I feel very lucky to be based here, surrounded by so many amazing bands, big and small. As well as seeing my favourite bands live, I try my best to attend smaller gigs; it’s an amazing way to network with fellow musicians, and it can open many doors for you.
I recently played a gig at The Gunners in North London, opening for a band called ‘Puma Theory’. Amazing people and amazing music. Some other amazing underground bands are Blue Slate, Soaked, and Floating Poets, with whom I also recently played a show.
The reader might not know this, but you also serve as a writer for IndieCore Magazine, covering new bands and exciting records. How did such an experience come about? Does writing about others help you become a better musician?
Haha yes! It all started as a random idea that popped into my head one day; I wanted to create something that supports grassroots music. Launching the magazine felt like the perfect way to do that, not only by sharing insights into how different musicians and bands work, but also by building a stronger sense of community.
It’s been an incredible way to connect with other artists, and it’s even opened doors for my own music. One of the highlights so far has been interviewing two bands I mentioned in the previous question, Soaked and Blue Slate, two of my current favourite bands. It was such a cool and inspiring experience.
Think about the last two years and about your journey in the music industry, both creatively and from a business perspective. What are some of the challenges (or A challenge) that you had to overcome? Is there something important you learnt along the way?
That’s a great question. Things definitely haven’t always been easy. As an independent artist, you often have to figure things out on your own—whether that’s recording, booking gigs, or handling promotion. Making music can be expensive, and more often than not, it leaves me out of pocket, but I see it as an investment in my future. If you don’t take the chance, you’ll never know what’s possible. Music is my true passion, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to reach where I want to be.
Nothing about this journey comes easy, especially when it comes to making a living from music. Many companies and agencies that put on shows end up taking 70–80% of ticket sales, which makes it difficult for smaller artists to grow. Thankfully, grassroots music is making a comeback, and more organisations are emerging that genuinely support independent musicians and bands.
What’s next for Dean Longden? Do I need to wait two years for your next record? 🙂
You will absolutely NOT be waiting 2 years for another release. My next single ‘Creeping Up’ is ready for release and will be coming out very soon. This will be the second single off my upcoming EP, which will be released towards the end of the year! It has a similar sort of feel to ‘Cleansed’.
What to expect from the EP? The whole plot of the record is to showcase a sort of story. The songs will represent various emotions, listed in an order that comes naturally, and a lot of people will relate to them. It all comes from a very personal place, and I honestly cannot wait to share it with the world. We’re only just getting started!
