38. How The High Nines Built a Debut Album Worth the Hype, with Dean Ashton

Ep.38: Some conversations remind me exactly WHY you love talking to artists, and this one with Dean Ashton is no exception. In this episode, I sit down with Dean Ashton of The High Nines, a band carving out a timeless, big-hearted indie rock sound straight out of the North West. We get into debut albums that take a decade to write, the strange arc of maturity in bands, the art of letting go of ego, and what it means to create music that people can own for themselves. Dean opens up about the band’s writing process, the influences that shaped him, the evolution from chaos to professionalism, and why honesty (in life, in music, and in the industry) is the north star they follow. If you love hook-driven alternative rock with real soul behind it, The High Nines deserve your full attention.We Chat About:The making of their self-titled debut albumWhy Daydreaming feels like the band’s breakout “universal” songSongwriting without boxing yourself into a genreGrowing up, shedding ego, and learning to collaborate betterThe shift from “frontman persona” to authentic presenceThe band’s renewed approach to professionalism and performanceMusic discovery, rap influences, and why everything inspires themNavigating promoters, labels, and what “making it” actually meansTimeless songwriting vs. trend-driven productionWhy connecting directly with fans matters more than everAbout The High Nines:The High Nines are an alternative indie rock band from the North West of England, drawing influences from the likes of The Verve, The Music, and The Stone Roses. ‘Walrus Bar’, released May 2025, got to number 6 in the iTunes Alternative Chart. Their self-titled debut album, self-funded and independently recorded, produced, and mixed, was released October 2025.“This debut isn’t just a strong start. It’s the kind of record that could cement The High Nines as one of the most important new bands in the UK — a group with the songs, swagger and soul to step up from sticky-floored clubs to the festival main stages.” – This Is The Music Blog“If this is only their first swing, then the rest of the indie scene might want to start stretching before they try to keep up.” – Manchester Music GroupThe High Nines are:Dean Ashton – Lead VocalsSteve Cornell – Vocals/GuitarTrevor Curley – Lead GuitarPete Fell – BassLee Summers – DrumsConnect with Dean & The High Nines:Listen on Spotify: The High Nines on SpotifyFollow on Instagram: @thehighninesOther Resources:Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBgCheck out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RLMusic Mentioned in this Episode:Songs:Let the World Decide – The High NinesDaydreaming – The High NinesThe People You Love – The High NinesYour Love Will Bring Me Down – The High NinesWalrus Bar – The High NinesDo You Know What I Mean – OasisRockin’ All Over the World – Status QuoAlbums & Projects:Marshall Mathers LP – EminemArtists & Bands:The High NinesOasisJoy DivisionThe Stone RosesKasabianPixiesU2Robbie Williams50 CentEminemDizzee RascalFontaine’s D.C.Michael JacksonRod StewartThe DonnasBlue Tones