Liverpool duo THE WOOD present soulful and timeless new 'Cold Fire' EP Title track features stunning renowned Scottish vocalist Brooke Combe

November 1, 2025

Liverpool-based duo The Wood present their 'Cold Fire' EP, released via UK imprint Riverdream Records. Here, Alex Evans (vocals) and Steve Powell (guitar and bass) are at their best, with solid grooves and melodies full of beauty, passion and genuine feeling. Creating music that is difficult to categorise yet somehow sounds familiar, The Wood cleverly mesh soul, rock and folk in songs filled with purpose and an innate sense of release.

Mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Nick Cave, Depeche Mode, Pixies. Nine Inch Nails), the EP was produced bySteve Powell, an expert at unearthing sonic magic. Having recorded many notable artists records, includingMichael Head and The Strands, John Power, def.fo, The Stairsand Ella Guru, Powell also produced and played guitar on the firstMichael Head and the Red Elastic Band record 'Arturius Revisited', as well as the number one indie album'Adios Senor Pussycat'.

For the lead track 'Cold Fire', the duo are joined by ex-Island Records vocalist Brooke Combe, fresh from an appearance on Later With Jools Holland and having just supported Lionel Richie on his UK-Ireland summer tour and Benson Boone on his US tour this last month. She’s tasked herself with bringing more soul to the masses, so she’s in more than appropriate company with The Wood. A shared mission it seems.

The balmy blues chords of an electric piano open before Combe's timeless soul voice steps quietly into a willing spotlight. She’s upfront in the mix, singing to your face; yet it feels close and personal. 'Cold Fire' soothes its way toward the chorus, building around a conclave of gospel harmonies and a sultry, simmering groove. The arrival of Alex Evans’ voice, tumbling down the registers and through the changes, comes edged with a pure soul grit. A perfect storm of gospel, soul, jazz and rock, and its real. It feels ageless, an uncut gem of a song presented in the most natural way.

The Wood's funkier-than-thou version of 'Romantic Attitude', the John Fitch and Associates rare soul classic, screams to be heard and then shrugs its shoulders with an insistent funk groove, Steve Powell’s spectacular psyched-up six stringed wig-outs feature as standard, sounding like the party you really wish you’d gone to.

'Hold On' feels time-aged, sundried, dusty and raw, like Laurel Canyon through a cracked and dirty windscreen. You can feel there’s whisky nearby. It’s a song of yearning and hope, a conversation windblown by time. Steve Powell’s minimal production and Phil Melville’s interwoven layers of slide dobro swoop around Alex Evans’ scored soul vocal, in a space where only what’s necessary is allowed. No extras, no fuss from this perfectly balanced songwriting duo.

'Wait For The Sun' means business. It comes storming in, in a blizzard of insistent urgency, intense and unforgiving. It’s all chugging and rock guitars, blissed out harmonies, and an Alex Evans vocal steeped in his trademark passionate energy. This is The Wood in triumphant mode, and rightly so, because the 'Cold Fire' EP is a definite triumph.

Rewinding a few years, Evans and Powell met while Evans was recording at his Ark Recording Studios, located amongst the imposing brick edifices of Liverpool's ancient dockland. Released in 2024, their debut 'Days' album (previewed by 'Let It Loose'), also involved Martin Smith and Simon James (The Coral, Shack) on brass and Jake Howden-Woodward (Nova Twins) on drums.

As of October 31, the 'Cold Fire' EP is available everywhere online, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp.

SINGLE CREDITS
Written by Steve Powell & Alex Evans
Alex Evans – vocals
Steve Powell – guitar & bass
Brooke Combe – vocals
Jake Woodward – drums
Mike Smith – organ
Rob Stringer – piano
Charlie Griffiths – backing vocals
Clair Griffiths – backing vocals
Amy Chalmers – violin
Matt Phillips – cello
Rachel Nicholas – viola
Produced & recorded by Steve Powell at Ark Recording Studios, Liverpool
Mastered by Pete Maher
Single cover graphics by Alex Evans
EP cover graphics by Alex Evans & Ed Rimmer
Released by Riverdream Records 2025
Artist photos by John Johnson
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Liverpool's THE WOOD releases debut album, blending blue-eyed soul, southern & indie rock

November 23, 2024

Liverpool-based duo The Wood present their debut 'Days' album, released via Riverdream Records. The Wood is made up of Alex Evans (vocals, backing vocals, percussion) and producer and co-writer Steve Powell (guitars, bass, backing vocals, keys, percussion), who met when Powell was recording Evans at his Ark Recording Studios in Liverpool. Creating music that is difficult to categorise yet somehow sounds familiar, The Wood cleverly mesh blue-eyed soul, southern and indie rock.

As the world overground traverses life blissfully unaware, The Wood have been holed up in a warehouse basement studio amongst the imposing brick edifices of Liverpool's ancient dockland. Working. Always working. Here, the great warehouses stand shoulder to shoulder against the wind coming in off the river, like dockers waiting for a shift. These historic streets stand as a testament, a monument to their past. To the trade and exchange of goods, of ideas. The movement of people in the hope of something new. An escape of some sort. These streets have tales to tell. There are stories and secrets they hold. And at night, silence falls and they keep those stories to themselves.

This is the perfect backdrop for The Wood. working underground and out of the limelight, little by little, day by day. Making music born of a natural love of creation, a determined passion for collaboration and even a sense of creative urgency, there's no grand master-plan here. No rulebook. No great intention of world domination. Just a simple desire, a common need to create music that speaks, music that feels and music that is honest and real to itself. Music that is true.

The Wood bring rock solid grooves, creating melodies full of beauty, passion, pain and the power of real soul. This album also involves several notable artists, including Martin Smith and Simon James (The Coral, Shack) on brass, and Jake Howden-Woodward (Nova Twins) on drums. They recently teased 'Thornside Walk', a song of hope, redemption and eventual triumph, following the lead single 'Let It Loose' with its surreal video, filmed and edited by Dylan Cox at the Pro Flex Gym in Liverpool, which features boxer Jake Harrison, along with a host of other shady characters.

As a producer, Steve Powell is an expert at unearthing sonic magic, having recorded many notable artists records, including Michael Head and The Strands, John Power, def.fo, The Stairs and Ella Guru He also produced and played guitar on the first Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band record 'Arturius Revisited' and number one indie album 'Adios Senor Pussycat'.

For The Wood, knowing what they want but not necessarily where it will lead them, time has been their friend, their growth leading them to 'Days' - an album of rich textures, built around songs filled with soul, purpose and an innate sense of release. Above all, this is a truthful record - from the shuffling groove and mariachi trumpet of the album's opening track and first single ‘Let It Loose', to the mountainous gospel-tinged chorus of 'River' and the immensely intricate production of 'Back to the Start'. The simple yet sheer yearning beauty of 'Stay with Me' sounds immediate and familiar. The melody of 'Autumn Dreams' seems to float, dancing gracefully around the notes almost preternaturally in the voice of Alex Evans - the kind of melody that can make a summer's day feel autumnal.

There's pain here, real pain, loss and heartache. There is hope, light, redemption and a sense of future. There is also a lot of love in this record - an indefinable but instantly accessible kind of love. Above all, 'Days' is a record crafted for listening, and not just hearing. The Wood have much to do in their basement hideout while the rest of us go about our business, because 'Days' marks just the beginning for this uniquely talented songwriting duo.

As of November 22, the 'Days' album is available everywhere online, including Bandcamp and Spotify . The Wood performs next on December 6 at A.R.C @ Camp&Furnace Liverpool.

Liverpool's THE WOOD shares 'Thornside Walk', previewing eponymous debut album

November 8, 2024

Liverpool-based The Wood presents 'Thornside Walk', a song of hope, redemption and eventual triumph, and the second taste of the duo's debut 'Days' album, out on November 22 via Riverdream Records.

Made of up Alex Evans (vocals, backing vocals, percussion) and Steve Powell (guitars, bass, backing vocals, keys, percussion), The Wood bring rock solid grooves, creating melodies full of beauty, passion, pain and the power of real soul.

As a producer, Steve Powell is an expert at unearthing sonic magic, having recorded many notable artists records, including Michael Head and The Strands, John Power, def.fo, The Stairs and Ella Guru He also produced and played guitar on the first Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band record 'Arturius Revisited' and number one indie album 'Adios Senor Pussycat'.

“'Thornside Walk' was written in the darkest period of my life - a place filled with anger, confusion and sorrow. This was first time I was truly able to express my feelings through music and the beginning of The Wood creating music with real depth. 'Thornside Walk' serves to show that, even in our darkest hour, there lies resilience and hope. A true reflection of a moment in time and one of our proudest songs to date,” says Alex Evans.

Steve Powell adds, “This was the first song Alex and myself wrote together. It’s about being faced with the darkest of times, but there’s light at the end of the long tunnel. Allow yourself to embrace the joy life has to offer. Ultimately, it’s an uplifting song."

Last month, the band released the lead single 'Let It Loose' with a surreal video, filmed and edited by Dylan Cox at the Pro Flex Gym in Liverpool and featuring boxer Jake Harrison, along with a host of other shady characters.

The two met when Powell was blown away by Evans' voice while recording him at his Ark Recording Studios in Liverpool. From the outset, they realised they were creating music that was difficult to categorise yet somehow sounded familiar, meshing blue-eyed soul, southern and indie rock.

With Steve on guitar and bass, they enlisted several talented friends, including Martin Smith and Simon James (The Coral, Shack) on brass, and Jake Howden-Woodward (Nova Twins).

Alex Evans has a voice capable of turning real pain into raw beauty. Imbued with a rare natural soul, he leaps effortlessly from brooding, troubled depth to full-throated gospel glory as he leans in close to that groove. Together as The Wood, they create music of passion and pain, of glory and redemption. Songs where all the right decisions have been made, deliberate and slowly, without any external pressure, only the enriching pleasure of artistic collaboration.

As of November 8, 'Thornside Walk' is available everywhere online, including Bandcamp and Spotify. The 'Days' album is out November 22, accompanied by The Wood's album release show at Leaf - Bold Street in Liverpool on November 20 and December 6 show at A.R.C @ Camp&Furnace Liverpool.

CREDITS
Written by Alex Evans and Steve Powell
Alex Evans - vocals, backing vocals, percussion
Steve Powell - guitars, bass, backing vocals, keys, percussion
Produced and recorded by Steve Powell at Ark Recording Studios, Liverpool
Mastered by Pete Maher
Jake Howden-Woodward – drums (tracks 2,3,4,7)
Jay Irving – drums (1,5)
Roy CorkillL – upright bass (6)
Martin Smith – trumpet (1,4,5,7)
Simon James – sax (1,5)
Amy Chalmers – violin and backing vocals (2,7)
Matt Phillips – cello (2,7)
Andy Jacobson – piano (7)
Mike Smith – keys (5,7)
Phil Melville – slide dobro (6)
Charlie Griffiths – backing vocals (1,5)
Clair Griffiths – backing vocals (1,5)
Single cover artwork photo by Dylan Cox
Album cover graphics design by Pascal Blua
'Let It Loose' video filmed & edited by Dylan Cox @DylanCoxMedia
Featuring boxer Jake Harrison @JakeHarrison_Boxing at Pro Flex Gym, Liverpool
Photography by Kevin Barrett
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Liverpool duo THE WOOD unveil brooding 'Let It Loose' single with brawling video, the first taste of their debut album

October 5, 2024

"A potent swaggering track for the ages. With solid songwriting, catchy guitar riffs and sonic hooks, the duo present a winning lesson in sonic with an “instant classic”. With haunting vocals and true groove, they offer up an introspective, yet infectious proposition, showcasing a seamless blend of their influences – this is a precious listening experience" ~ The Spill Magazine

Liverpool-based duo The Wood present their debut single 'Let It Loose', the first taste of their 'Days'album, set for release on November 15 via Riverdream Records. Made of up Alex Evans(vocals, backing vocals, percussion) andSteve Powell(guitars, bass, backing vocals, keys, percussion), they bring rock solid grooves, creating melodies full of beauty, passion, pain and the power of real soul.

The accompanying video is a surreal experience, filmed and edited by Dylan Cox at the Pro Flex Gym in Liverpool and featuring boxer Jake Harrison, along with a host of other shady characters.

There's something of the night about this song and in a very special way, like when you find yourself on unsteady feet, down a back street in an unfamiliar city late at night. There's something coming from the underground, the source of all the best discoveries. Feel the pull and follow it. Sometimes in life, things get to you. Don’t let the world drag you down. Let it loose.

Evans and Powell met when Steve was recording Alex at his Ark Recording Studiosin Liverpool and was blown away by his voice. From their first songwriting session, they realised they were creating music that was difficult to categorise yet somehow sounded familiar. With Steve on guitar and bass, they enlisted several talented friends, including Jake Howden-Woodward (Nova Twins) on drums and Martin Smith and Simon James (The Coral, Shack) on brass.

As a producer, Steve Powell is an expert at unearthing sonic magic, having recorded many notable artists records, including Michael Head and The Strands, John Power, def.fo, The Stairs and Ella Guru He also produced and played guitar on the first Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band record 'Arturius Revisited' and number one indie album 'Adios Senor Pussycat'.

“’Let it Loose’ is a song about not giving in. The everyday pressures of situations, relationships, ambitions, life’s occasional curveballs, and eventual optimism and hope. The insistent bassline of the verse, then the release of the chorus, like the clouds parting to let the sun work its magic. “Letting your mind go, waiting for the fear to fall,” says Steve Powell.

Alex Evans adds, “To me, ‘Let it Loose’ is about the rise and fall of life. The pressures we feel to take the leap of faith and overcome our insecurities and fears. The tension throughout the verse and the eventual release of the chorus reflects the stress, relief and beauty life throws at us every day. It's a journey we must see for ourselves. Let your mind go, Let it Loose.”

On 'Let It Loose', a fanfare of Mariachi trumpets leads the descent, deep down into a netherworld of delicious groove, it's all low-lit, loose-limbed and highly infectious. The muscles in your neck give way, helpless to its demands. You can't help it. Let it Loose. Once you're in, you're greeted by Alex Evans with a voice capable of turning real pain into raw beauty, this song a fine example of how it's done. Imbued with a rare natural soul, he leaps effortlessly from brooding, troubled depth to full-throated gospel glory as he leans in close to that groove.

Steve Powell's chiming guitar lands chords on the sparse landscape, strolling around the melody with its hands in its pockets, and chopping through the breaks with blasts of brass and a chorus of glorious harmonies, deep, wide and tall. Powell is the other half of The Wood, here on extensive duties of co-writing, playing guitar and bass, recording and producing.

Together as The Wood, they create music of passion and pain, of glory and redemption. Songs where all the right decisions have been made, deliberate and slowly, without any external pressure, only the enriching pleasure of artistic collaboration.

'Let it Loose' is available everywhere online, including Bandcamp and Spotify. The full 'Days' album will be released on November 15.

SINGLE CREDITS
Written by Alex Evans and Steve Powell
Alex Evans - vocals, backing vocals, percussion
Steve Powell - guitars, bass, backing vocals, keys, percussion
Produced and recorded by Steve Powell at Ark Recording Studios, Liverpool
Mastered by Pete Maher
Jay Irving – drums
Martin Smith – trumpet
Simon James – sax
Charlie Griffiths – backing vocals
Clair Griffiths – backing vocals
Photography by Kevin Barrett
Single cover artwork photo by Dylan Cox
Album cover graphics design by Pascal Blua
'Let It Loose' video filmed & edited by Dylan Cox @DylanCoxMedia
Special thanks to the boxer Jake Harrison @JakeHarrison_Boxing
and to Pro Flex Gym, Liverpool
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

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