Steady Habits Talk New Single, Favourite Instruments And More

Indie-folk band Steady Habits, led by New England native Sean Duggan, returns with their heartfelt new single ‘Deviate’. The title track of their highly anticipated debut album (19th September 2025), ‘Deviate’ explores themes of self-discovery and identity. Sean spoke to us about the new single, instruments and more:

Who is in Steady Habits, how did you meet and what do you play?

Steady Habits is our gang of incredibly talented bandmates that I’ve been privileged to meet here in the UK since I’ve moved over here from the US. I met all these guys through different circumstances. Jamie, our drummer, and I have shared bills playing in Oxford and London for over 10 years. Cathy (bass, vocals) and I met through oxford’s charming open circuit after lockdown, and Joe was introduced to me through our previous guitarist, Jack Kendrew. We’ve had a few rotating characters over years, but the synergy we have together is electric. We connected so much on our love of Tom Petty, Neil Young and have just stuck together since. Our musical language on stage is electric, and I love them all so much.

What is your earliest musical memory?

My parents aren’t musicians, but they have always admired and supported artists and musicians. When I was growing up, my parents used to host house shows for bands in Madison, CT. My first musical memory, I remember being 2 years old, being woken up by the sound of a jazz band in our front living room. I’m not sure what I made of it, but it looked fun. I managed to climb out of my crib to get a better look, until I was carted off back to bed.

When did you begin songwriting?

I started writing music at 14. Before then, I’d only really enjoyed singing to myself, but I’d never imagined pursuing music. I always enjoyed building narratives, which is what drove me to write my first few songs. I’ve always been driven by song structures and melodies, and that usually forces me to put pen to paper to begin creating a story or reflecting on a moment in time.

Your previous single ‘Stay’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

This was a song that came to me really naturally. I had this crummy nylon stringed guitar in my old shared house I used to write songs on, and ‘stay’ was the first one I penned on it. I love lyricism that feels conversational, and I just began writing out a story over the chord progression. Its as if you’ve overheard someone oversharing their feelings to a person they’re falling for, and perhaps slipping some of those insecure feelings that it feels like when you’re still in that limbo period of a relationship.

Where did you record the song and who produced it?

We tracked most of the song in Shonk Studios, which was around the corner from my shared house on Cowley Rd which was engineered by Chris Barker, but the song really took form when we began working with James Wyatt at Sloe Flower Studios. It evolved so much in that time, and it feels like a time capsule to my time in Oxford.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

Only that it was recorded in so many different spaces around Oxford. Every time we’d book a recording session, the studios had either changed location or shut down. I started to think we were a bad luck charm.

Do you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the track?

The Coles 4038 Ribbon mic was a big player on this record. We used it for the drum and room sound, but where it really shined was recording the vocals. I’ve never been more attached to a microphone, and I hope to have a pair of my own soon!

Your latest single and title track of your debut album ‘Deviate’ is out now. Could you tell us about the song?

I wish I heard this when I was a young queer kid, growing up in New Haven, CT. I had this untethered desire to explore my femininity. I played with my friend’s barbies, envied their princess dresses, sketched ball gowns I hoped to wear one day. I came out as gay much later in my life, but long before I was called a sissy or believed that I’d burn in hell for my feelings, I never questioned what I was drawn to. This song is a love letter to that younger version of me, and to that are growing up in a world that is eroding freedoms to explore and express who they are. The LGBTQ+ community have long been labelled as deviants. This song reclaims that word as a badge of pride.

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest and b) angriest?

a.) I think ‘stay’ is probably the happiest song we’ve released thus far, if you can call it that. It feels so naively positive. I love the banjo parts, with all credits to Jim Hollands who played on it.
b.) We recorded a song called ‘garden state’. It deals with some heavy subject matter, and the song to blow off some energy . It’s one of the most to perform live, and I’m so happy that we managed to capture our live sound into the recording.

 Was it a difficult song to write?

It was one that came pretty naturally. There was something about the flowi-ness of it that I really found easy to put a melody to.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

If I haven’t made an audience feel included or connected, then I haven’t done my job right. I love to tell stories and to make people feel at least 10% happier than they were before the show.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I’m a musician with simple tastes, but I love my Alvarez MDR70. It’s the first solid-wood guitar I’ve owned and it’s treated me well, and beautiful to play unplugged.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I lived in a few places in Connecticut growing up but they always had a similar feel. If I could sum them up, I’d say rural, scenic, eccentric, cold & maybe expensive.

How do you look after your voice?

When times get tough, I drink peppermint tea.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?

Yes, we have a couple more cards up our sleeves! I’m so proud of what we’ve worked on, and it’s such a joy to be releasing music again.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I wear it on my sleeve, but Jason Isbell is one of the greatest American songwriters, and he’s had a huge impact on my sound and the way I write. I love lyrics that leave you unsure if you should laugh or cry, and he is a master at it.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

We had a headline show in London at the end of April at the Betsey Trotwood with some other great artists, Jack Browning & Ella Spencer. And we’re just in the works of planning shows for later this year.

What makes Steady Habits happy and what makes you unhappy?

I am happiest when I’m travelling and I love the thrill of a long journey and meeting new people. I’m fortunate that music has enabled us to travel to towns and cities we wouldn’t have been before. I hope that we continue to expand any play further afield.

What makes me unhappy?

Transphobes, Bigots and People who choose to see the world through a lens that skews their perception of how wonderfully beautiful and vibrant we are as humans.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Evans Above PR

Steady Habits latest single ‘Deviate’ is out now along with their previous single release ‘Stay’.

Stream/Download ‘Deviate’ here: https://ffm.to/steadyhabits-deviate

The debut album ‘Deviate’ will be released on Friday 19th September 2025.

Steady Habits 2025 Live Dates are as follows: 

8th June 2025 –  The Live Room, Saltaire, United Kingdom* TICKETS

25th June 2025 –  Acapela Studio, Cardiff, United Kingdom* TICKETS

8th-10th August 2025, Lakefest, Herefordshire, United Kingdom TICKETS

 

22-24th August 2025, The Long Road Festival 2025 Bottesford, United Kingdom TICKETS

 

*(solo) – supporting Demi Marriner

 

For more information visit the official website here: https://www.steadyhabitsmusic.com/