The Deep End is my fourth studio album, and the start of a new chapter in my musical career.
Separated into a “Rad Side” (tracks 1-4) of pop songs and a “Mad Side” (tracks 5-7) of more experimental pieces, the album features a full band sound (almost) all the way throughout, more “polished” sounding production, and it showcases much more unpredictable song arrangements. And with special guest appearances from Atlanta-based rock band Wardrobe Malfunction and Connecticut-based singer/songwriter Jebb, we aren’t in simple lofi piano pop land anymore!
This is an album full of a lot of pain and darkness. The songs all tell stories of troubled individuals who have lost something or someone, are struggling mentally, have made the wrong decisions, or who are just plain hurting. It’s not a concept album in the traditional sense, but there’s very much a common lyrical and musical thread throughout the album in spite of how different the songs are. Spinning from starry-eyed jangle pop to lofi piano pop throwbacks, to jazz-influenced mini-rock operas, to sample-based sound collages and the musical equivalents to horror movies, it’s an incredibly diverse album musically that still hangs together very well as an ALBUM experience.
This album had a very troubled production cycle, and the final product has elements from throughout my entire recording career. The first song finished for the album was recorded in early 2021, and the last song to be finished wrapped up recording in early 2024. But some of the songs’ origins stretch back even farther than that… “The Wageslave Walks Away / Miniature Mouse” is a re-recording/re-arrangement of two Dr. Deceptive songs as a medley, so they originate from 2020, but some of the other songs (mostly those on the “Mad Side”) even contain elements recorded as far back as 2016! But in spite of how long it took from beginning to end… the amount of time was worth it, because I truly believe I have crafted a musical masterpiece with this record, one I’m proud to call my own and can say without a doubt is my finest work. Let’s hope you all feel the same!
Also available to buy here on my Bandcamp is a CD version of the album! It’s pretty nifty, I highly recommend buying a copy or twelve.
Oh, and please note: Balloon and In The Snow are different versions on here than they are in their single versions. One has altered lyrics, the other has completely new drums, and they both have a little surprise added to them!
credits
released March 15, 2024
Personnel
Cover art (front and back) by Teyoid (@teyoid on all social media platforms).
All songs written by Owen Radford except:
-“Balloon” written by Owen Radford, Maggie Merrifield and Wes Jensen.
-“In The Snow” written by Owen Radford and Jeremy Edmond.
-Track 1 produced by Wardrobe Malfunction and Owen Radford.
-Tracks 2 & 4 produced by Owen Radford.
-Track 3 produced by Owen Radford and Jebb.
-Tracks 5-7 produced by Fly’s Eyes.
-Track 3 mixed by Jebb and Owen Radford, all other tracks mixed by Owen Radford.
-Mastered by Owen Radford at Working Man Studios.
INDIVIDUAL TRACK CREDITS:
-Balloon
Written by Owen Radford, Maggie Merrifield & Wes Jensen
Produced by Wardrobe Malfunction and Owen Radford
Owen Radford - vocals, piano, organ, noise guitars, ghost wails
Maggie Merrifield - rhythm guitar, bass
Wes Jensen - lead guitar, drums
Recorded 2023-2024
-The Wageslave Walks Away / Miniature Mouse
Written by Owen Radford
Produced by Owen Radford
Owen Radford - vocals, piano, organ, guitars, strings, horns
Recorded 2022
-In The Snow
Written by Owen Radford & Jeremy Edmond
Produced by Owen Radford and Jebb
Owen Radford - lead and backing vocals, piano, organ, horns
Jebb - guitars, bass, mandolin, backing vocals
Wes Jensen - drums
Recorded 2021-2023
-Harriet Swings It
Written by Owen Radford
Produced by Owen Radford
Owen Radford - vocals, piano, guitars, organ, drum programming, horns, strings
Recorded 2021
-Miss Magdalene, MIA (Have You Seen This Woman?)
Written by Owen Radford
Produced by Fly’s Eyes
Owen Radford - vocals, piano, synthesizer, percussion, harmonica, sound effects
Fly’s Eyes - producer, percussion, soundscapes
Recorded 2021-2022
-The Cliff
Written by Owen Radford
Produced by Fly’s Eyes
Owen Radford - vocals, guitars, organ, piano, synthesizer, percussion, bass, drum programming, strings, sound effects
Fly’s Eyes - producer, percussion, soundscapes
Recorded 2016-2022
-Deception
Written by Owen Radford
Produced by Fly’s Eyes
Owen Radford - vocals, keyboards, percussion, guitars, strings, sound effects
Fly’s Eyes - producer, percussion, soundscapes
Recorded 2016-2022
Special thanks to: Nolan, Ian, Caleb, Luke, Jeremy, Maggie, Wes, Teyoid, Bella, Jim, Jim, Dad, Diana, Danny, Nathan, Ly, and Garfield.
gorgeous psych folk album with incredibly emotional vocals, honest lyrics, great guitar playing and some of the craziest ideas you'll ever hear on a folk album Owen Radford
