Engines made from soup are...?
We are a three-piece band originally from Merseyside, England. The name ‘Engines Made From Soup’ references the scientific Big Bang and Evolution theories and also the futuristic development of artificial intelligence with Nanotechnology. My Dad was into science and computing and one of the chapters in one of his ‘future of computing’ books was entitled ‘Engines Made From Soup’. The band members now live across the UK but we are still releasing great music; recording and producing our album ‘Again’ in late 2020, our cover of New Order’s ‘Ceremony’ in Spring 2021, our Summer 2021 disco single ‘Take 2’, and now our latest single, ‘Dig’. We’re not afraid to work with different music styles but our trademarks of strong lead vocals, searing guitar riffs, great keyboard melodies and vocal harmonies shine through every song.
Gareth Cross, Lead Vocals - based in Barnet, London , England
Gareth Evans, Keyboards & Backing Vocals - based in Lymm, Cheshire, England
Stephen Spencer, Guitars - based in Montrave, Fife, Scotland
Website:
https://linktr.ee/emfsTwitter: @enginesfrom
Facebook: @enginesmadefromsoup
Instagram: @engines_made_from_soup
TikTok: @enginesmadefromsoup
Merch:
https://enginesmadefromsoup.dizzyjam.com/Dig
The song is a study of the relentlessness of the UK’s gutter press and it’s dogged determination to dig for a sensationalist story at any expense. In this new world of mental health awareness, the second half of the song turns the table and explores how guilt may lead to the press themselves having to self analyse. From the start ‘Dig’ bursts on the ears with full-on drum rhythms and guitars that build the tension to vocals that command you to sit up and take note. Further guitars and a driving combination of synth and electric basses build the song to a spine-tingling crescendo and a hack’s typewriter to finish. An indie pop-rock classic!
Dass die Beschreibung zu "Dig", der neuesten Veröffentlichung von Engines made from soup. Und ich und bin nach wie vor begeistert von diesem Track,welcher musikalisch ein wenig an die rockige Ära der 70er/80er erinnert, treibende Gitarrensounds mit solidem Basslines welche im Takt der Drums vor sich hin galoppieren, und Lyrics die ein Fingerzeig in Richtung Presse sind. Nach "Take 2" zeigt dieser Song wie breit gefächert und variantenreich das Spektrum dieser Band ist.
Q&A
Who inspired you to make music in general?
No one person in particular, but we took great inspiration from the post-punk scene in the UK in the early 1980’s, especially in Merseyside (Liverpool) where we lived and also down the M62 in Manchester. We were just too young to be allowed in to Eric’s on Mathew Street in Liverpool to be a part of the Echo & The Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes, Pete Wylie scene but we longed to go to the Hacienda Club in Manchester to be a part of the scene where New Order, The Smiths, The Chameleons we’re exploding following the tragic death of one of our heroes and influences, Ian Curtis. We loved all things music in the early 1980’s where anything seemed possible. All we needed was attitude and belief.
...and especially to "Dig"?
‘Dig’ is an attack on UK journalists who dig through personal lives to grab a headline to make money. It’s not news, just gossip that they should’ve grown out of their school-day playgrounds. It’s not clever, not big. These people are ‘so-called professionals’, don’t you know. They deserve this; where the sun don’t shine.
What is your creative process like?
Very, very collaborative. One of us initiates each song with an idea that could be a vocal melody, piano chords, guitar riff or catchy groove. Then, we each add ideas, modifying some, celebrating others and rejecting quite a few too. We back each other. We’re never afraid to be critical with each other. We just want to put out the best version of our ideas as we can. But, there is one red line; we must all really enjoy what we produce and openly celebrate it.
What is the most useful talent you have?
Steve is a genius in playing guitars in spaces, never over dominating, never showing off and giving each song only what it needs and leaving you with an ear worm riff for days.
Gareth E is the master melody maker both with his amazing keyboard melodies and vocal lines. He can spot an opportunity for great harmonies from a mile away and is a consummate lyricist.
I (Gareth C) can also work through a good vocal melody and complement Gareth E’s lyrical style with a simpler ‘modum operandi’. My vocal range has become richer and deeper over the years which I really like, but try to keep in check so I can spot songs and moments to use it to its greatest effect.
If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?
We’d kept going as a band throughout our University days. Two of us were at our beloved Manchester after all. We became fans of bands in an amazing time. Who knows, we might’ve been one of those bands.
How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music business?
Well, you can promote yourself easily (we used to paste posters illegally around Huyton and Prescot at 4am onto bus shelters, bins, walls etc) but, so are thousands of other bands so it’s difficult to get noticed. We’re so grateful to all the internet radio enthusiasts we have forged links with through social media and who play our songs. From these stations, listeners pick up on music they didn’t know they were going to hear. That’s the best way to discover music, that indescribable feeling when you hear a track you will go on to love for the very first time. You hadn’t planned it, you were just there when it came on …
What’s next for you?
We’ve really enjoyed putting out three singles in 2021 and are working on new songs all the time. We have a band meeting coming up. My view is that we’re at a crossroads. We either push ahead with songs to complete a new album or seriously consider preparing to play live again. We can’t do both. Maybe your readers might have a view? I hope that’s not ‘pack it in fellas’ though. We’re enjoying this journey too much to stop.
