INTERVIEW: Deerest releases self-titled debut album

Hailing from Cardiff in Wales, Deerest is an artist who places storytelling above all else. Before recording an album or playing festival stages, she was already penning original song at eleven years old while being homeschooled. Creativity became the thread connecting multiple disciplines as she explored music alongside other forms of art, patiently forging a voice that felt at once profoundly personal and highly affecting. Inspired in particular by the story-focused worlds of video games, she initially imagined a future working in game audio and voiceover production, drawn to the way tales could be told through sound just as much as words.

However, even while exploring those creative avenues, music always simmered away in the background and after studying, recording and performing during college, Deerest realised the magnetic draw towards songwriting had never disappeared. Encouraged by a growing online community, she returned to the music that had first inspired her years earlier, grasping the opportunity to build something of her own.

Today, Deerest blends elements of folk, pop, country, electronic and rock into a musical offering that’s equally accessible but unlike any other. She uses each influence as another storytelling device, creating songs that flicker between intimacy and cinematic aesthetic, a style that she first shared in 2024 via a trio of demo releases. “The Fox & The Crow,” “The Devil Calls Me Down” and “2,900” mapped out her artistic ambitions and now that vision has taken its fullest shape with the arrival of her eponymous debut full-length album, Deerest.

Written across a six-year period, between the ages of fourteen and twenty, the album documents a transformative chapter of Deerest’s life, examining the experiences and personal growth that have informed the artist she’s become today. Developed entirely through the work of independent Welsh creatives, the album was produced without label backing, reflecting both Deerest’s DIY ethos and her belief in the value of art created through genuine collaboration.

The ten-track outing starts with Deerest’s alluring vocals and the soft strums of guitar on “Gate (In West Virginia)” as the swell of drums and dance of violin forms a lively folk scene. Rolling with pattering percussion and commanding vocals, the song puts Deerest’s songwriting flair and performance panache on full display, presenting a catchy jam that’s timeless, memorable and energising all at once. “I Locked My Heart In A Box,” leans into her rock stylings with a blend of gritty guitar lines and airy passages of tender vocals, crafting a spellbinding musical experience brimming with engaging contrast between the punch of grooving rock bursts and delicate melodic writing.

“The Fox & The Crow” frames her delicate voice in a laid back setting where gentle piano plinks, acoustic guitar and brushed percussion casts a dreamy soundscape. “Made For Magic” reveals her musical range further with the pulse of synth notes ushering in an alternative pop track that flows with steady groove and catchy vocal leads to serve up a slick electronic pop anthem. On “Lifelong,” the playful flutter of guitar notes and hushed vocals carrying picture painting lyricism gradually expands with the mellow march of percussion to serve up a charming indie folk experience.

The bright strums of guitar and expressive vocals of “The Devil Calls Me Down” sets up a bouncy country song that glides with rustling drums, warm bass energy and dazzling vocal performance while “Superlunary (Pixie)” drifts into focus with hazy synth texture and intimate vocals before the crisp tap of the beat sets up an atmospheric pop sphere full of poignant storytelling and blissful melodies. “Little Songbird” presents a stripped back sound of acoustic guitar, restrained percussive elements and stunning vocals to offer a magical musical moment that’s impossible not to love.

“2,900” slows things down with an intricate blend of piano, graceful leads and backing vocalisations, showcasing how Deerest’s music can make an impact in the most minimal of musical settings. Closing the album with “My Dearest,” her lone voice is met by the bright flash of jumpy drums and layers of instrumentation to lay down a joyous finale of rock-tinged folk pop to her sensational debut album.

Deerest recently played her first headline show at Porter’s in Cardiff, filling the venue to maximum capacity before appearing on the Community Stage at Pride Cymru 2026. Next up comes the Great Scott Stage at Big Love Festival in Usk, where fans will get a chance to catch Deerest playing on Sunday the 19th of July.

We caught up with Deerest to find out more about her musical journey so far, her debut self-titled album and what she’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Deerest below.

Hey Deerest, how’s things?

Hi! I’m doing really good. Creatively, I’m feeling so fulfilled and excited for what’s to come. I have time to work on my hobbies and spend time with friends who make my life wonderful.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I think I was 10 or 11, writing out songs, without music because I hadn’t picked up a guitar yet. I would write about fictional scenarios and relationships. I saw that most songs were about relationships, so I think I tried to emulate that, even without relating to it. Then I was 12 when I taught myself guitar and I somehow how found more emotions and ideas in myself.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Watching Taylor Swift perform was what locked music in my mind as a possibility; how I felt so much just from her lyrics, how she told stories. Then I was 14 when I heard Badlands by Halsey and I’ve never forgotten it. How she brought worldbuilding into music. There’s so many avenues of media I love, like video games, and they way Halsey incorporated movies into music really inspired me, like I can build my own world as well. Since college, it’s been people like Brandi Carlile, John Denver, Delta Rae, Joni Mitchell, Imagine Dragons, Kaleo – lyrics I feel really strongly and instrumentals that sometimes have a lot going on.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Usually music comes when I’m processing something, like a big change or something hurtful. It’s the most interesting form of journalling – songwriting. Like “Here, put this feeling into words but also make it bounce off the page.”

Oh and like I said, video games. There are bands like Miracle of Sound and Area 11 who wrote songs about games or tv shows, that led me to writing more frictional songs. Like, Gate (In West Virginia), that was a completely fictional story, which over time, found a lot of new meaning! My community knows how much I love my OCs – original characters – and they’ve been inspiration for a lot of my music.

What do you love about the Cardiff music scene?

There is always someone creative nearby. I’ve gone to open mics and shows and met photographers and actors and writers. With everything going on, the Cardiff music festival, Industry Night Live, the independent venues and agencies, the studios, Pride Cymru – which I just played – Cardiff is its own creative ecosystem.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Oh wow. On the bus or in the car home from school. Or at a line dancing class. Or a gay club. I don’t know, there’s a lot of vibes. On a walk in the woods. Like I sing in The Devil Calls Me Down – “go walking in the woods”.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I think I always knew exactly how I wanted most of these songs to come out, even if I wrote some of them like 8 years ago. They have become exactly what I wanted and I’m so proud of Lewis – my producer – and myself for what we’ve achieved. It’s hard to track how the music has “evolved” if it’s always existed this way. I think I’ve evolved in communication, knowing what I want and how to create it or direct it. I’m also working with more people than ever and I love getting input and feedback from my band and implementing it.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Delta Rae. Delta Rae, if you’re out there.

How did you find making your self-titled album?

It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I created some demos, sent them to Lewis, he did more production, we got a band together, did rehearsals, got in the studio, and Lewis mixed and mastered everything. Evolution Studios in Ely is an absolutely remarkable place to work. I can’t picture going anywhere else.

I can’t believe how lucky we got with the band we put together. Everyone credited on this album is just pure talent and hard work and professionalism. We had timing and scheduling worries but everyone knocked it out of the park.

Shoutout to Evolution, Green Rooms, and Music Box for giving us the space to make this. And to Jayne and Pixie for being absolutely spectacular artists to work with.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

Lonely kids, gay kids, creative kids, silly kids – it’ll be alright, even if right now sucks. That was the message I needed when I was that kid, and I still am that kid sometimes. It’ll be alright.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

That would be Delta Rae.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Just to find something they relate to, or might remind them of someone, or a place they love. To feel understood for a second.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

My album announcement party at Porter’s in Cardiff. It was my first headline. We decorated and really made it ours, we sold merch, it was incredible. One of my best friends came from Sweden to see it. Everyone was dancing to Gate (In West Virginia) and My Dearest. I cried. Ugh, it was so good.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Ooh. I have friends all over the world I want excuses to go visit! Let’s host it in… Oh but Wales is so good. Let’s go to Nashville, that’s my love.

Headliners would be Brandi Carlile, Dea Matrona, and Greg Ryan, an incredible local artist who I can’t wait to see live again.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

People are gonna tell you to use AI, or tell you you’re gonna have to adapt to it or get left behind. I did adapt to it. I adapted to it by falling in love with real music again, taking pleasure in the admin work, sourcing talented, artistic people who create everything themselves. No AI touched this album. You don’t make music in order to finish something fast or efficiently or perfectly, you make music because you feel like you have to make music or a part of you will die. We’ve never needed it and we never will.

Finally, what do you have lined up next?

Next up is Big Love Festival in Usk on the Great Scott stage on July 19th around 6pm. It’s gonna be such a beautiful day, please come down if you can. We’ll have the full band it’ll be so much fun.

After that it’s the Green Rooms Open Air festival on August 1st in Trefforest. So many amazing bands of all genres and I can’t wait to go!

Listen to Deerest below

Photography Credits: Jayne Bedford and Chloe Michelle