Last Updated on 2026-04-02 by a-indie
Approach to Sound
-Yuuki Takita: Diving deeper into the sound, the coexistence of shoegaze guitar with acoustic guitar or clean-toned guitar was the most striking aspect for me personally. What were you conscious of when crafting the sound?
Ben: Yeah, we were very conscious of that. Previously it was a case of finding something we liked and laying it down and not thinking of the wider picture. But with 『Birding』, we had been living with the demos for a long while, and knew what each track needed and what the record needed on the whole. Not everything is washy because it would become a mess so there are many acoustic layers across the record, which definitely adds to the world and brings it into focus.
Dottie: I always play songs on my acoustic before I play them on my electric. It’s just how my ears work as I have always had an acoustic lying around. We placed them very deliberately in these songs. I remember Ben once saying that acoustics contribute a lot of rhythm and beat to music and I’ve always remembered that. Just having them sit low in the mix adds so much!
Breakthrough Tracks
-Yuuki Takita: Which track on this album do you consider a personal breakthrough, or which song do you feel shows the most change or evolution? Personally, I felt that 「Alfie」 showcased the most liberating performance of vocals, guitar, bass, and drums to date, while skillfully controlling dynamics and development within its roughly seven-minute runtime.
Ben: The opener 「Smile」 felt like a breakthrough. We talked a lot about world building, bringing the listener into our world, and this does the best job of introducing the record. Dots’ vocals are properly close and personal, the guitars are constantly on the move and appear atonal in some places. It’s a move away from our usual blueprint in certain aspects.
Dottie: I really enjoyed finishing 「No Sweater Feeling」 and felt it was a breakthrough. It was the last song left and I was really struggling to find the song in it, even considering not having it on the album. Ben sent me a rough vocal melody using a vocal sample from fairground and it immediately opened up the song. Sometimes you just need a little nudge to help you along the way.
Defining What deary Truly Is
-Yuuki Takita: Ben said about this album, “Until the previous work, we were trying to become deary, but this album is who we truly are now.” As I mentioned earlier, I think this connects directly to the disciplined, harmonious, and dignified sound you achieved. Could you explain what you mean by “who we truly are now”?
Ben: It’s probably born out of insecurity, but previously we were discovering who we were as artists but now it feels like we’ve found that voice and have grown in confidence of our own artistry. It means that the music we make has more connection to us as individuals and a collective, and hopefully connects with listeners as well.
Vocal Placement and Production
-Yuuki Takita: Looking at the vocal production, the vocals have consistently been placed beneath the sound since your debut, creating a warm impression as if a hazy veil is illuminated from below by neon light. I believe this production approach comes from dream pop, and combined with the themes and atmosphere of this album, I felt it emphasized a sense of prayer. What were you conscious of in terms of vocal production?
Ben: We actually made a conscious effort to pull back the effects and think about the placement of the vocals. It comes back to that new found confidence, we are just as happy drowning them in reverb but equally having them front and centre when required — if the lyrical content requires it.
Dottie: Yeah, we were really aware of the placement of vocals on this album. I’m a big lyric listener and they can sometimes get lost in shoegaze. So it was important for me to have the vocals placed strategically in these songs. Melodies are also extremely important and carry through over the haze of guitars.
Who Should Listen, and How
-Yuuki Takita: Who would you like to listen to 『Birding』? Or in what situations would you like people to listen to it? If there are particular aspects of the lyrics or sound you would like listeners to pay attention to, please let us know.
Ben: My favourite albums are ‘headphone’ records, and I think 『Birding』 is too. Maybe it’ll make people dance or sway or cry, but I think it’s probably best enjoyed in a dark room turned up all the way in your headphones.
Dottie: I would like people to pay attention to the lyrics on 「Smile」. I took my time writing these and exploring a personal connection to misogyny. Although it’s about Violence Against Women, I think it’s incredibly important for men to listen to them and feel the weight of fear and angst women carry.
A Message to Listeners in Japan
-Yuuki Takita: There are many music fans in Japan who love your music. Especially since 「Seabird」 was released, there has been a strong response from Japanese listeners, and many fans are eagerly awaiting the album. Could you share a message with your Japanese listeners?
Ben: The support for our music is one of the most magical things we have enjoyed together as a band. It’s a very special thing and we love the fact that people listen to our music or find comfort in it. We really hope that we can come to Japan one day and play live. That would be a real dream!
Dottie: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to us! We had the best time creating these songs and I hope you have lots of lovely moments with them x
deary Album Release
Debut Album 『Birding』
Release Date: April 3, 2025
Label: Bella Union
Track Listing:
1. Smile
2. Seabird
3. Baby’s Breath
4. Gypsophila
5. Blue Ribbon
6. Garden Of Eden
7. Alma
8. No Sweeter Feeling
9. Terra Fable
10. Alfie
11. Birding
View on Amazon
deary Band Profile
deary is a dream pop trio based in London, consisting of Ben Easton (Gt.), Dottie Cockram (Vo., Gt.), and Harry Catchpole (Dr.). Ben and Dottie met during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021 and formed the band out of a shared love of Cocteau Twins, Slowdive, and MBV. In 2023 they released their debut EP 『Fairground』, self-produced, drawing attention for angelic vocals, reverb-drenched layered guitar melodies, and a monumental drumming style. Their debut album 『Birding』 was produced by the band themselves alongside long-time collaborator Iggy B, and stands as a work that draws on a wide range of influences while establishing a style entirely their own.
deary UK and EU Tour Dates
Event: Rough Trade Outstore
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Venue: London, The Lower Third
Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
Venue: Birmingham, Hare and Hounds 2
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Venue: Manchester, YES Pink Room
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Venue: Edinburgh, VooDoo Room Speakeasy
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Venue: Sheffield, Sidney and Matilda Basement
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Venue: Paris, France, Hasard Ludique
Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Venue: Rotterdam, Netherlands, V11
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Venue: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Cinetol
Writer: Yuuki Takita
Born in 1991 in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Yuuki Takita is a freelance music writer. After graduating from the same university as TEAM NACS, he enrolled in a music vocational school and majored in writing.
There he produced three music fanzines and handled everything from artist interviews to editing.
Drawing on that experience, he joined a cross-platform music media company operating both a print fanzine and a web outlet, where he gained experience in writing and editing reviews as well as sales.
After leaving that role, he worked at a major record shop and continued writing disc review articles for in-house media.
That opportunity led him to begin working as a freelance music writer. Today he is a salaried worker and music writer who dreams of one day staging an outdoor music festival in his hometown of Tomakomai.
He enjoys cats, film, and reading. Exploring curry and biryani spots alongside his appreciation for Nana Komatsu is a part of his lifestyle.
Articles written for this site: here
Articles written for other media: here
Twitter: @takita_funky
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.