With their intricate melodies, profound lyrics, and electrifying live shows, Swedish band Soen has carved a niche for themselves in the hearts of prog metal fans worldwide. Their latest record, Memorial, has been well-received by fans and critics alike. Ahead of their headline concert at Montreal’s Beanfield Theatre on May 10, I caught up with guitarist Cody Lee Ford to delve deep into the band’s creative process, their evolution on the road, and what the future holds for this dynamic quintet.
Originally from Ottawa, Cody is looking forward to bringing Soen back to his home country. “The Last time we were here, we got to spend an evening in Ottawa and host the guys here, make a nice dinner, drink all the wine, and jam a bit. So it was fantastic,” he recalls.
Taking their latest album’s songs on the road has been a positive journey for Soen. “The crowd has really reacted positively. It’s always cool when you release a new album and you’re feeling like the songs are very fresh. And then you get there, you play the new material, and everybody is singing every word. So that’s a really cool feeling,” he admits.
For a band like Soen, whose music is a tapestry of intricacy and emotion, the process of translating studio recordings into captivating live performances is a meticulous endeavour. “When you write an album and record it, it can be very crazy sometimes. We kind of delegate tasks, and then when it comes to actually performing the pieces live, we have to also get together and figure out what the arrangements are going to be live,” Cody explains.
The art of crafting a setlist is a delicate balance between showcasing new material, revisiting fan favourites, and curating a cohesive journey for the audience. “We really wanted to put a show together that was a bit more theatrical, almost theatre-esque. So we had these chunks of songs that were just like, ‘This is going to be this chapter, this is going to be this chapter, this is going to be this chapter,’ so that the setlist kind of flowed in that way,” Cody elaborates.
For Cody, a perfect show transcends technical perfection; it’s about forging a connection with the audience and creating moments that linger in the memory long after the final encore. “If I go up there and I play and the crowd is really into it, and I can feed off their energies, that’s what it’s all about—that sort of reciprocal thing happening. That’s what makes the shows memorable.”
As our conversation draws to an end, Cody offers a glimpse into the band’s plans. “We’ve got European festivals. We’ve got another Europe tour. We’re working on another tour that I can’t really talk too much about yet after the Europe tour. And then after that, it’s typically the end of the year is finishing the next album and recording,” he reveals.
Watch the full interview below:
