“Still, It Grows” by Dean Longden is a deeply moving collection of songs that delves into themes of pain, mourning, heartbreak, and growth. Inspired by his mother’s cancer journey and personal experiences, Longden’s lyrics resonate with authenticity and vulnerability. The EP not only reflects his journey through difficult times but also serves as a source of comfort and connection for listeners. With each track carrying its own emotional weight, “Still, It Grows” is set to leave a lasting impact on all who lend their ears to this poignant musical creation.
Dean Longden is an indie/alternative artist who has steadily been carving out his space through a sound that blends soft, intimate melodies with more driving, guitar-led arrangements. The result is a sonic landscape that feels both personal and expansive, drawing listeners into a world where emotion is not hidden but fully embraced. His songwriting is rooted in honesty, often exploring vulnerability, reflection, and the long, complicated path toward recovery. For Dean, music is not just a form of expression—it’s a means of processing life itself, transforming difficult experiences into something that can resonate with others.
His latest EP, released on April 17, captures a particularly intense chapter of his life. Much of the material was written during late nights in his bedroom, in moments where emotions were raw and unfiltered. What began as fragmented reflections eventually evolved into a cohesive and cathartic body of work. The songs carry the weight of lived experience, shaped by grief, love, loss, and ultimately, a sense of growth. As Dean himself has shared, this project was written during one of the hardest periods of his life, yet it was completed during one of the best—a contrast that adds even more depth to the listening experience.
A central thread throughout the EP is the emotional impact of his mother’s cancer journey. This deeply personal experience informed much of the songwriting, giving the project a sense of urgency and sincerity that cannot be manufactured. At the same time, the EP expands beyond that singular narrative, touching on themes of heartbreak, moving on, and learning to rebuild after emotional setbacks. There is a quiet resilience running through the songs—a sense that even in the darkest moments, growth is still possible.
The response to his music has already shown how powerful that message can be. Listeners have reached out to share how tracks like “Cleansed” have helped them through their own struggles, highlighting the connective power of honest songwriting. Dean’s ability to articulate emotions that many find difficult to express has allowed his music to become a source of comfort, offering reassurance that no one is truly alone in what they feel.
The EP was recorded at The Roundhouse in Camden, London—a venue that holds special significance for Dean, as he has seen many of his favorite artists perform there. Recording in such a space brought an added layer of inspiration, almost as if the energy of those past performances lingered in the walls. It’s a fitting environment for a project that feels both intimate and expansive, rooted in personal experience yet reaching outward to connect with a wider audience.
Alongside the release, Dean continues to build momentum as a live performer. Having already played at the O2 Academy Islington in 2025, he is now preparing for his third London headline show of the year, as well as his first-ever festival performance in July. These milestones mark an important step in his journey, reflecting a growing audience that connects deeply with his music.
At its core, “Still, It Grows” is about transformation—about finding light in the aftermath of darkness, and about using honesty as a way to heal both oneself and others. It’s a project that doesn’t shy away from pain but instead leans into it, allowing something meaningful to emerge on the other side.
1. The EP was written during one of the hardest periods of your life and finished during one of the best—how did that emotional shift influence the final sound and message of “Still, It Grows”?
The EP was created across two very different chapters of my life, and I think you can hear that throughout it. The earlier songs came from a place where I was really unhappy within myself. I felt like I wasn’t getting enough out of life, I’d let certain people walk over me, and I was struggling mentally. There was a lot of frustration, sadness and feeling stuck.
Music became a way of processing all of that. Writing songs gave me somewhere to put emotions I didn’t really know how to carry otherwise. Performing live helped massively too — it reignited something in me and reminded me why I loved music in the first place.
You can hear that contrast on the EP. A song like “I’m Fine,” which was written in 2024, came from that darker period and is very much about saying you’re okay when you’re really not. Then as I started pulling myself out of that place in 2025, the writing changed too. I went back to writing how I did when I was younger — honestly, instinctively, just trying to get my thoughts out.
That’s where the title Still, It Grows comes from. To me, it represents being able to grow, survive and keep moving forward despite everything life throws at you. I’d love people to take that message from it — that even in difficult times, you’re stronger than you think and growth is still possible.
2. Your mother’s cancer journey played a major role in shaping this project. How did you approach translating such a personal and sensitive experience into your songwriting?
My mum’s journey affected me massively, both personally and creatively. In a lot of ways, she’s the reason I even started music in the first place. She lent me her old broken classical guitar years ago, and that ended up being the beginning of everything for me. So a huge part of making music has always been about making her proud.
When she was diagnosed, it was during the height of lockdown, and I was only 16. I found myself at home alone a lot, without the normal support or chances to properly speak to people. Music became my outlet and my way of processing emotions I didn’t really know how to express. It gave me somewhere to put the fear, confusion and sadness, and honestly it still does that for me today.
I’ve written songs directly about my mum and what she went through — some that I’m not sure I’ll ever release because they feel so personal. But even when a song isn’t specifically about that experience, a lot of my writing comes from pain, reflection and difficult moments. That’s usually when I naturally turn to music the most.
At the same time, there were people who really helped me through that period, especially friends and teachers during college, where my passion for music really grew. I’ll always be grateful for that support.
So when it came to songwriting, I never tried to force such a sensitive experience into lyrics. I just let it come out honestly in whatever way it needed to. For me, music has always been a coping mechanism, and some of the most personal experiences naturally shape what I create.
3. You’ve mentioned that listeners have reached out saying songs like “Cleansed” helped them through difficult times. What does it mean to you to know your music is having that kind of impact?
When I receive messages from people online or when people come up to me after gigs and tell me how much the songs connect with them or have helped them through their own experiences, it genuinely means the absolute world to me.
“Cleansed” in particular is about coming to terms with losing someone and learning to let go and say goodbye. One of the things I love most about music is that people can interpret it in their own way. I’ve had people message me saying they’ve heard the song after losing someone themselves and that it’s helped them heal, which is really special to hear, especially as that’s exactly what the song is about in its own way.
I feel like I owe a lot of myself to music because it’s pulled me out of difficult places more times than I can count. So when I hear that my music has helped someone else in the same way music has helped me, it makes everything feel worthwhile.
4. Recording at The Roundhouse in Camden must have been a unique experience. How did being in a space connected to artists you admire influence your creative process?
Recording at The Roundhouse was something really special to me. I actually saw my favourite band, Spacey Jane, there for the first time, so whenever I go back it always brings me back to that moment. It’s a place that already feels really inspiring to me personally because of that.
On top of that, the history of the venue is incredible in itself. It’s one of the most iconic spaces in the UK, and knowing that artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and The Doors have all been part of its story adds something really powerful to it.
I don’t think many people realise you can actually record there, not just perform, but that makes it even more special. You really do feel the presence of everything that’s happened in that space over the years, and it naturally feeds into the energy and inspiration when you’re creating.
5. With your third London headline show and your first festival coming up, how do you see your live performances evolving alongside this new release?
My live shows at the moment are really electric. It’s a mix of songs that get people jumping and then other moments that are a bit more emotional, where people might need a few tissues. I’d definitely say if I pull out “Cleansed” live, that’s your friendly warning to get the tissues out.
A standout moment for me was my first ever headline show at The Elephants Head at the start of this year. It was packed, there was such a great energy in the room, people were dancing, and I had all my loved ones there too which made it even more special.
I’m still relatively new to the live scene — at the time of this interview I’ve been doing professional gigs for less than a year — so I’m still learning and developing my presence and vocal confidence on stage. But that’s been a really exciting part of it as well, growing in real time and seeing progress with every show.
One of the most beautiful parts of the journey is that I’ve been doing it alongside one of my best friends, Amelia. We actually went to school together but never really spoke, and then we reconnected through music taste. We started out doing small acoustic sets, and in less than a year we’ve played venues like the O2 Academy Islington, done three London headline shows, and now to be playing a festival this July genuinely feels like a dream come true.
Looking forward, I’d love to keep building on that — growing the live show, taking it across the UK, and hopefully even into Europe one day.
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