SÖŪP: A Rich Tapestry of Musical Expression

Music has always been a powerful medium for expressing emotions, telling stories, and connecting people from different backgrounds. Growing up, I was introduced to many notable classic rock acts, and the complexity of the songs I heard opened my mind and consciousness to new concepts and ideas in a way that pop music could not. Legendary acts such as Ten Years After, Led Zeppelin, and Rush paved the way for generations of rock enthusiasts with a diversified range of intricately crafted sounds, and their legacy continues to this day because of pockets of emerging musicians who are discovering the music for the first time.

Continuing the legacy of well-crafted music for the masses out of Asbury Park, New Jersey, is a 3-piece hard rock group with divine creativity called Sӧῡp. With a whimsical and progressive style, Sӧῡp is a group of musicians who have come together to jam and create music spontaneously and organically, and they are proving to be an up-and-coming force in the new emerging face of rock music.

Consisting of Harrison on guitar, Monica on drums, and Mercedes on vocals, bass, and keyboards, the band is gaining momentum with its vibrant energy, steady bookings, and clear, concise ideas of what they want to accomplish musically. They are full of ingenuity, drive, and passion, with talent far beyond their years, and have come up with a sound so fierce that it’ll knock you on your ass.

Drawing influence from progressive rock greats Rush and rock legends Led Zeppelin, this trio knows how to command attention with their thunderous presence. Released on January 1, 2024, “The Captain” is the first recorded release by Sӧῡp in a series of songs to be released this year and is a meticulously crafted orchestration of creativity, taking you on an epic journey of sound. Mercedes’ range is dynamic and powerful, with soaring vocals reminiscent of the great Cherie Currie of The Runaways, evoking the nostalgia, solidarity, and influence of 70’s rock.

Paying homage to the past while embracing the future, Sӧῡp’s music is a harmonious blend of diverse musical influences serving as a bridge between the past and the present, and if I were to describe their music, I would have to say it is an experience to be had with headphones and the volume turned up. The layered textures and sounds take you back to a different time and place and allow for complete escapism.

Mixed Alternative Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with the band recently in between their many upcoming shows, and we were able to have an authentic discussion about the state of the industry, influences, plans, and much more. Take a moment to learn a little more about the band called Sӧῡp, and then be sure to jam out to their latest music on your favorite streaming platform.

MaM: Mercedes, your vocals on the new track, “The Captain,” are phenomenal, with so much power and passion. It reminds me of Cherie Currie’s performance on the song “Neon Angels on the Road to Ruin." Who do you cite as your ultimate vocal influence, and why?

Mercedes: I really appreciate the compliment. I tend to get my vocal technique from a good number of male artists that I listen to. A lot of people do draw comparisons with me and several other female vocalists in the classic rock realm, but truthfully, I have been influenced by Geddy Lee from Rush and Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin.

MaM: You know the Wilson sisters from Heart were heavily influenced by Zeppelin, too.

Mercedes: I did not know that. Honestly, it’s an honor to be compared to many of these iconic female vocalists, but the surprising thing is that I don’t take a lot of inspiration from them.

MaM: Were your parents influential in determining your music tastes?

Mercedes: That’s actually a common misconception. I grew up listening to current music, but my Dad would listen to a good bit of John Denver, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and James Taylor. As far as classic rock goes, I didn’t know anything about the bands I’m currently influenced by back then. I discovered all their music on my own, and then, when I became friends with Monica, she and I went on to discover even more together.

MaM: Take us through a little band history. How did you come together as you are now?

Mercedes: Both Monica and I were taking music lessons at the same place, and our music teacher noticed a good bit of similarity between us. He decided to introduce us, and we really hit it off and just started becoming great friends. Eventually, we decided we wanted to form a serious band, and we’ve been working hard at it ever since. The biggest setback has been finding consistent band members to take it as seriously as us. We did not go to school with any musicians, so it was a bit of a trial until we found Harrison because we clicked with him in ways we didn’t with anyone else.

MaM: Harrison’s guitar playing is exceptional, too. His tone is so crisp and clean.

Mercedes: It’s almost as if Monica and I manifested his existence. We knew exactly what we were looking for, and then he walked into our lives, so it’s been perfect.

MaM: What drew you to playing the instruments you play?

Monica: So, we had a little issue when we first met because both Mercedes and I played the bass, and what were we going to do with two bass players, right? We didn’t have a drummer, though, so I picked it up, and it’s been about three years. It all clicked so fast, and I never thought I’d love another instrument as much as the bass, but I certainly love the drums more. I feel like I can express myself by playing drums in ways I could not with the bass. I’ve never felt more creative in my life.

MaM: I have so much respect for drummers because what they are doing looks so difficult and exhausting.

Monica: I will say that sometimes your fingers cramp up, and it is a test of strength. It’s cool to watch yourself get stronger and more capable with it as you progress. I found that the stronger I got, the more improved I got with my playing.

MaM: Were you self-taught, or did you have a few lessons?

Monica: Both; some things I was taught, but others I just figured out along the way.

MaM: Harrison, how did you start playing guitar?

Harrison: My whole family is full of musicians. My dad plays bass, and my uncle plays guitar. They had a band when I was younger, and it got me inspired to play music when I would see them perform live. I was about 7 years old when I picked up a guitar, and I’ve just stuck with it. It’s the only thing I’ve ever stuck with.

MaM: I love the tone of your guitar. Do you have any specific gear you use to achieve your sound?

Harrison: I really like to use a Les Paul guitar with a Marshall amp and my chorus pedal. That’s my favorite pedal right now.

MaM: Who would you cite as your ultimate influence for what you do?

Harrison: David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

MaM: Who do you collectively cite as the one band that made you want to pursue music as a career?

Sӧῡp: Rush

Mercedes: Yeah, Rush — across the board.

MaM: Back to your new single, “The Captain,” how did the concept for that piece come together? Give us a little backstory.

Mercedes: About two years ago, Monica and I realized we wanted to create one big theme with our music. One big concept. We wanted to establish a visual vibe with a storyline instead of just music with lyrics. Looking ahead, we want to create a visually poignant nautical theme with our music, one about discovering new horizons and what is encountered along the journey. “The Captain” grew out of that, and we’re in the process of writing the other songs, too, so you’ll have to stay tuned. A lot of our songs are about the ocean and water, ultimately leading to a concept album about a journey. Rock operas and concept albums have always fascinated and inspired me, so it’s just about channeling my inspirations into one big piece as my take on it all.

MaM: How do you approach the songwriting process? Is there a formula you follow?

Mercedes: Usually what we do for any song is write the music first. That’s how things came together for “The Captain”. I heard the riff first before we had even started writing. I was sitting in my yard one day trying to figure out how to write the song, and I was looking in my notes, and I found a small fragment of a poem about a captain that I had written, but it wasn’t complete. I was able to take that small fragment, though, to turn it into our song, and a few minutes later, I told everyone I had the lyrics done. We then put it with the music and tweaked it and it came together like magic.

Monica: Once we play a song live, we usually find more things we want to change. We like to add more flavor here and there, but sometimes we’ll play a song live for many months, thinking it’s complete, but then right before the recording process, we find something else to change. It’s never quite complete.

MaM: Where do you see yourselves headed in the future? I know you already have a busy 2024 shaping up.

Mercedes: Our main goal is to release music that people will love. We will release singles, but we hope to draw more people to us by getting our audience hooked on a few songs, allowing them to marinate with the ideas, and then selling them the entire concept. We hope to unite people by presenting a new take on a vintage sound.

Monica: There’s nothing better than taking a journey with your two best friends, especially when it resonates with people.

As Sӧῡp continues to evolve and grow, they will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the music industry and inspire future generations of musicians to push the boundaries of musical expression. To learn more about the band and to experience their music for yourself, visit www.soupofficial.com.

Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com. A huge thank you to Jeff Crespi for all of the amazing photos. Visit www.jeffcrespirocks.com to view more.