Seven Questions With Dean Longden

Hailing from London, singer-songwriter Dean Longden utilises his personal experiences to produce raw, overtly candid cuts. Proffering narratives that delve into inevitability ('Creeping Up') and farewells ('Cleansed'), Longden showcases his emotive songwriting with driving, rock-infused soundscapes. With his debut headline show coming up in late January, we chat with Longden about his familial musical influences, connecting with fans, and his desert island album picks as part of the Seven Questions with Music Is To Blame Series. 


Introduce yourself and where you’re from. 

Hey! My name is Dean Longden, and I’m a musician from Surrey, based in London. I make a mixture of indie and alt-rock — I sing, play guitar, and survive mainly on late nights, bad sleep patterns, and good intentions. But i promise the songs are better organised than i am.


What do our readers need to know about you?

A lot of my music taste — and probably my sound — comes from my family. Some of my earliest memories are long drives up to Manchester to see relatives, listening to my mum’s CDs on repeat. The Beautiful South and The Cranberries were always on, and my aunties and uncles introduced me early to bands like Oasis, The Stone Roses, and The Smiths. Then, around 2016, my sister really shaped things for me by introducing me to bands like Catfish and the Bottlemen, Cage the Elephant, The Kooks, and The Night Café — that’s where my love for indie rock really took off. So shoutout to my mum and my sister, Caitlin.

I’ve also never actually had a singing lesson or a guitar lesson — I’ve just kind of learned as I go along, through trial and error (mostly error). I write, record, and produce all of my own music, and everything I put out is rooted in my own life and experiences. If it’s in a song, it probably happened,


What have you got coming up that you’re most excited for?

I’m really excited for 2026 — it feels like it’s going to be a big year. I have my first-ever headline show on January 20th at the Elephant's Head in London, followed by another headliner at The Finsbury on March 14th, and I’ll also be playing at Camden Assembly later in the year. 

On top of that, I’m finally releasing my debut EP, hopefully in January or February. It will include 'Cleansed', 'Creeping Up', and three new songs — which, if you come to my shows, you might get to hear live.

2025 was an amazing year — I had my first show, got back to releasing music after almost three years, and built a lovely community of people who really connect with my songs. But 2026 feels different, like there’s so much more in store, and I genuinely can’t wait to share it all.


What’s the best run-in you’ve had with a fan?

I haven’t had a classic “fan run-in” yet, but one of my favourite moments was at my gig at the O2 Academy Islington. I could hear the crowd singing along to my songs, and honestly, it was the nicest feeling I’ve had since I started making music. Hearing people connect with something I’ve put my heart and soul into is the biggest reward I could ask for — it’s a reminder of why I do this in the first place. Also, it’s the closest I’ve ever felt to understanding what all those singing-in-the-shower people were dreaming about.


What’s been your biggest ‘I’ve made it’ moment so far?

Alongside the crowd at the O2, one of my biggest moments so far has to be hearing my song 'Creeping Up' played on BBC Introducing. Hearing something I had written and recorded get that kind of recognition was completely surreal. All those late nights, mistakes, and trial-and-error sessions suddenly felt worth it, and for the first time, I really felt like people were connecting with the music I was making. It was the kind of moment that makes everything feel real — all the hard work, the learning as I go, and even the doubts along the way. I remember feeling equal parts excited, nervous, and just completely grateful that something I put so much of myself into was reaching people.


What are your three “desert island” albums?


'Sunlight' – Spacey Jane: This album helped me through the toughest time of my life, and I will always love it.

'The Balcony' – Catfish and the Bottlemen: I love every single song on this album, and it’s a big part of how I fell in love with indie rock.

'Bury the Hatchet' – The Cranberries: This one’s deeply nostalgic for me. I even have the album cover tattooed on me, so it will always hold a special place.


Special mention: 'Please Please Me' by The Beatles — can’t leave that one out. (Best Beatles album imo).



Sum up your sound in three words.


Raw, Honest, Unique.



Lana Williams

@lanatakesphotos / @_lanaajade

Image: Press



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