The Wood isn’t an ordinary band. It is a duo, which doesn’t follow trends but simply writes honest, soulful music with depth and character. Blending elements of soul, jazz, rock and folk, their sound feels natural, warm, deeply human. The release of the “Cold Fire” EP is a significant moment for The Wood, who balance between instinct and experience, guided by a clear artistic vision. In this interview, Alex Evans and Steve Powell talk about their journey, their creative process, and what drives them forward.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
How was The Wood formed?
I met Alex when I recorded him on a studio session (I’m a producer, I own a recording studio). We started writing songs together soon afterwards.
You have just released the “Cold Fire” EP. Which are your feelings about it? What was the spark behind this EP? Give us all the details about the recordings and the production/mixing/mastering.
The Cold Fire EP is a collection of older songs we’d never released. We decided to revisit the title song and invited Brooke Combe, an amazing Scottish singer based in Liverpool, to guest on it. They’re songs we thought were too good to leave lost down the back of the sofa, so we went with putting them out as an EP.
Steve Powell’s production style is very detailed but never overcrowded. How do you decide what stays and what goes?
It’s a process of trying ideas and seeing what works. You need to be brave enough to sacrifice parts which you may really like, making decisions which will benefit the finished mix. Too much of a good thing gives you sonic indigestion. Avoid the overload.
How have you progressed since the release of your “Days” debut?
The second album is mastered and ready to go. We’ve started recording the third record.
You’re blending soul, rock and folk with such natural flow. Do you see this mix as planned or instinctive? How would you define the music of The Wood?
We both listen to a pretty diverse range of music. I think it’s natural that Al those influences come to bear. We don’t feel the need to adhere to any particular style or genre, if it’s a good song it’s a contender for the record.
How much did Liverpool’s musical heritage play into the making of this EP?
I don’t think it’s a typical Liverpool sound as such, but growing up in Liverpool you’re exposed to so much music there’s a good chance you’ll be involved one way or another.
How is a typical The Wood song composed?
There are no set patterns. If one of us brings a good idea we’ll develop it. Sometimes we just sit with a guitar or piano and start something from scratch.
Who is the one who writes the lyrics? Where do your lyrics refer to?
There are no set patterns. If one of us brings a good idea we’ll develop it. Sometimes we just sit with a guitar or piano and start something from scratch.
What kind of atmosphere were you trying to capture when you wrote “Cold Fire”? How do you balance emotional honesty with musical precision when you’re writing together?
All of our songs convey emotions and ideas. It helps that Alex is a great soul singer. We collaborate on everything to get a combined vision. We invite guest musicians in to play on our songs who we feel bring the right feel and level of technique to serve the song well.
In the new EP you collaborate with Brooke Combe. How did you end up collaborating with her? What did she bring into the room?
We thought the song would benefit from a female voice. We asked Brooke and she did a great job. She’s fun and easy to work with, and obviously an amazing singer.
In the new EP you are collaborating with many other musicians. Do you give them strict directions or let them improvise?
You need to let good musicians express themselves, but we generally have pretty firm ideas of what we want.
What was the most challenging moment while making the EP?
Nothing in particular. I think we’ve set a pretty high bar, so we won’t release anything unless we believe it’s good enough.
If someone is hearing The Wood for the first time, which track would you want them to start with — and why?
That’s difficult. You can’t pick one song. We love all our babies.
Looking at the EP as a whole, what emotion or message do you think lingers the longest after the last note?
Hopefully people enjoy the ride and want to hear more.
What do you hope listeners discover about The Wood that they might not have realised from your earlier work?
That you can expect the unexpected.
What do you think of the use of AI in art and music?
Don’t like it. Convenience and ease aren’t art.
Where do you see The Wood heading next, sonically and creatively?
We wait for the next surprise and see where it takes us.
Send your message to the listeners.
Thank you for listening to us. Check out the rest of our music, and look out for our next album, we’re really proud of it, hope you like it too.
