"Stay Afloat" by A Deeper Heaven
New track on the Mind Your Mind shoegaze and dream pop compilation released by Shore Dive Records.
“Stay Afloat" was an idea I've had for a few years that I needed an excuse to use,” noted Marc Wheeler of A Deeper Heaven. “It was the fastest song I've ever produced, but everything clicked and felt real and authentic.”
You’ll find A Deeper Heaven and a bunch of other independent shoegaze and dream pop artists on the Mind Your Mind compilation, released by Shore Dive Records. Mind Your Mind features 31 exclusive tracks and remixes, curated by artists Tom Leonard and Shane Speed of the band Sea of Days, as well as Nico Wardell, founder of Shore Dive Records. Mental health advocacy is the guiding theme of the project, with proceeds of compilation sales going to Mind, a UK-based mental health charity.
“Stay Afloat” ended up mostly instrumental due to time constraints,” explained Marc. “However, I think using vocalizations instead of words is true to the theme, which is the feeling of trying to rise above or float on top of the bittersweet waves of life. One second it feels hopeful, the next is unsure. The rising build and ultimate wall of sound is symbolic in that this kind of music helps me personally stay afloat in life, whether it's escaping, or relating to mixed emotions, or just riding the waves of sound.”
When asked if he would consider a version of the song with lyrics, Marc hinted ‘yes’ along with developing new songs.
“Yes, I have a few lyrics and melodies to work towards a more traditional version, but it would be structured differently and sound like a cousin to this one. The song ends with me saying, “Stay afloat... it’s not your time” and this refers to my daughter, me, and all those I try to support through my association with the I Love You, Bro Project for men here in Utah where I live. We’ll see… I am working on a set of new songs for an album.”
Mind Your Mind is available on vinyl (three volumes) and as a digital download via Shore Dive Records Bandcamp.
About A Deeper Heaven
A Deeper Heaven is the dream pop and shoegaze project of producer Marc Wheeler. With influences from post punk and alt rock from ‘85-’95 and the present, Marc weaves textures and tones that evoke a full spectrum of emotion, painting the contrasts of a surreal life - dream states next to striking realities, melancholy and hope dancing together, and clear subtleties against the backdrop of a noisy world. A Deeper Heaven has a sense of bittersweet flow, transporting to vivid dreams of complex emotion and beauty. Beyond hooks and shimmering guitar, there is a depth and complexity that sets A Deeper Heaven apart - the project is driven by a critical need to heal, giving Marc’s music a visceral and human feel, warmth and sincerity.
About the Mind Your Mind compilation
Mind Your Mind is a three-volume shoegaze and dream pop compilation released on 17 July 2026 by Shore Dive Records. The compilation was curated by artists Tom Leonard and Shane Speed (Sea of Days) together with Shore Dive Records founder Nico Wardell. Proceeds go to Mind, a UK mental health charity. Mind provides information and support to anyone struggling, campaigns to improve services, and works to change how society talks about mental health.
The Mind Your Mind project began as a mutual remix project between Tom and Shane, before Nico had the idea to expand it into the full three-volume compilation it’s become, bringing together artists from across the scene. Tom and Shane both wanted to support Mind, having been affected deeply by mental health issues in their own lives and the lives of those close to them.
Artwork for Mind Your Mind is by Steve Cooper.