Liverpool-based duo The Wood are back with the single ‘Cold Fire’, the first taste of their new EP by the same name, to be released on October 31st via Riverdream Records.
Here, Alex Evans (vocals) and Steve Powell (guitar and bass) are joined by a very special guest – 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.
This past summer, The Wood shared their funkier-than-thou version of ‘Romantic Attitude’ (the John Fitch and Associates rare soul classic). Screaming to be heard and then shrugging it off with an insistent funk groove, Powell’s spectacular psyched-up six stringed wig-outs feature as standard, sounding like the party you really wish you’d gone to.
This EP was mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Nick Cave, Depeche Mode, Pixies. Nine Inch Nails) and produced by Steve Powell – an expert at unearthing sonic magic. He has recorded many notable artists records, including Michael Head and The Strands, John Power, def.fo, The Stairs and Ella Guru, and both also produced and played guitar on the first Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band record ‘Arturius Revisited’ and the number one indie album ‘Adios Senor Pussycat’.
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.
The Wood bring rock solid grooves and melodies full of beauty, passion and genuine feeling. Creating music that is difficult to categorise yet somehow sounds familiar, they cleverly mesh soul, rock, folk and a myriad of alternative sounds in songs filled with purpose and an innate sense of release.
As of October 17, ‘Cold Fire (feat. Brooke Combe)’ is available everywhere online, including Bandcamp and Spotify. The full EP, now available for pre-order, will be released on October 31.
TRACK LIST
1 . Cold Fire (feat. Brooke Combe)
2 . Romantic Attitude
3 . Hold On
4 . Wait For The Sun
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