Soulive's Alan Evans: the art of 'letting go'

The soul-funk trio Soulive released a new album. Flowers was recorded at Flóki Studios, set against the rugged seaside backdrop of Iceland. The band let their creativity flow on the remote Tröllaskagi Peninsula. It’s the first full-length studio album of the band after 15 years.

The band members created space in their busy agendas full of music activities for this special project. Eric Kresno is an innovative and prolific guitarist, songwriter and producer that co-founded Lettuce and worked with Aaron Neville (the Meters), the Roots and even the Rolling Stones. Keyboard player Neal Evans is renowned for his fabulous organ bass lines. His brother Alan Evans is the Soulive's drummer. Next to that he is recording, mixing, mastering engineer and producer who works with artists like MonoNeon, Charlie Hunter and Joe Marcinek Band. Alan produced, engineered, mixed and mastered the new album.

Flowers is a funk & soul masterpiece with an abundance of creativity, inspiration and references in each song. The band’s grooviness betrays their mastery and the decades of playing together in such a way that AI can only hallucinate about.

The New Funky had the opportunity to ask a few questions to Alan Evans.

The New Funky: Did recording in Iceland influence the sound and atmosphere of the album? 

Alan: Recording in Iceland profoundly shaped the album’s DNA. With the Arctic Ocean and jagged peaks right outside the studio, you can’t help but be moved by that scale of natural beauty. The key for us was surrender—letting the environment dictate the experience rather than forcing a preconceived idea of what the album 'should' be.

The New Funky: What is the background for the album title Flowers ?

Alan: Like most of our projects, the title found us at the finish line. Flowers started as a shorthand for a track Van (TNF: vocalist Van Hunt) wrote, but it took on a deeper meaning once we stepped back. Kraz noted that it felt like we were 'giving flowers' to our icons. You can hear those nods throughout: '3 Kings' honors B.B., Albert, and Freddie; 'Vines' channels the spirit of Hendrix; 'Butter Rock' leans into The Meters; and 'Flowers at Your Feet' captures that Sly Stone groove. It wasn't calculated; it was a natural outpouring of our influences."

The New Funky: Is there anything else you would like to share about your new album for the readers/listeners?

Alan: I want people to feel how effortless and joyful this was. We’ve been at this a long time, but I think we’re only now truly mastering the art of 'letting go.' There’s a specific kind of freedom that comes with experience—unlearning the rigid rules you follow when you’re younger and simply trusting the process. I believe that ease is exactly what the listener hears in the final tracks.

The vinyl album Flowers of Soulive will soon be available on Funk & Soul Records.nl. Meanwhile the first ever vinyl release of Soulive sophomore souljazz / funk classic ‘Turn It Out’ featuring John Scofield, Oteil Burbridge and Sam Kininger is also available. Songs of the album are featured on The New Funky playlists on Spotify.