Music / Interviews
Doves: ‘We didn’t know if we could pull it off’
“To be honest,” says Andy Williams, “we didn’t know until we started rehearsals whether we could pull it off.”
He’s referring to the new Doves album, their first in five years, and the band’s first UK tour in fifteen years, on which they’re making a stop at SWX next month.
Throughout our interview, Andy’s honesty seems a default setting. Perhaps because there’s no avoiding the reality of Doves’ situation. Andy and his guitarist brother Jez have a brilliant new record and a tour to promote, but bassist and lead singer Jimi Goodwin isn’t around.
is needed now More than ever
“We’re just trying to be honest about it – not try to cover any of it up,” says Andy. “Jimi is better, but not in a good enough place to tour. It used to be taboo, but what he’s experienced is really prevalent, especially in the music industry. It’s the same now in all of society.”
Jimi is still in Doves. He plays and sings on the record. But he’s staying home, prioritising his mental health and addiction recovery. It’s inspiring that you’ve found a way to navigate it, I say.
“Not everyone’s happy about it, but me and Jez believe it’s the right thing to do. Jimi does too. Doves as an idea is really important to us – it’s what we’ve done all our lives. We feel blessed we’re able to progress with this new thing. And I’ve just about got my sanity. That feels like a thing in itself.”
Prioritising Jimi and the group like this – is anyone asking if you and Jez are OK?
“Jez and I have been affected by it. A band is like a marriage – we never fell out, but there were all sorts of emotions flying around. We’ve arrived at a kind of acceptance. I’m very pleased we’ve managed to find a way through this. Most bands don’t.”
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It’s true. But then most bands don’t embrace the same existential challenges. Doves began with musical reinvention. Later they took a decade-long hiatus. And long before mental health was openly discussed they sang about anxiety, on There Goes The Fear.
“The bonds are very strong. I’m not sure we’d have dealt with it well when younger. As you get older you realise people have lives outside the band. You give people room. Lyrically we’ve always spoken about vulnerability, struggles – but not in in interviews early on, really. It’s something we’ve developed more.”
The new album, Constellations For The Lonely, showcases again what was always there musically – Doves’ unique blend of songwriting craft and atmospherics, guitars somehow channeling the textures of dance music.
“We took the best elements of dance music for Doves, the hypnotic, melodic elements. The feeling. We never wanted to do a dance beat over a rock track.”
The new record sounds great. Was writing and recording any different this time?
“Under the circumstances, I’m amazed we got it finished. I’m pleased it’s as strong as it is. To be honest it was about grabbing Jimi when he was well.”
Southern Bell (the epic closing track) could soundtrack the end credits of a film…
“Spot on! The idea was a spaghetti western. Like Butch and Sundance – me and you versus the world, going out in a blaze of glory. It was a late idea, having Jimi on that song. It felt like a really good way to finish the album.”
Doves are touring as an expanded five-piece. Does performing the songs change them?
“Yeah. We create the records like a jigsaw puzzle, then work out how to play them live. We’ve approached it differently this time. We want it to be exciting, the tempos are a little quicker. It’s sounding a lot more 3D than it ever has live. It’ll have a bit of an edge to it. More raw.”
For a listener that has always found the band’s music euphoric, on top of the melancholy, that sounds awesome. With Doves, you get the rush and the reflection at the same time.
“Absolutely. There’s an acknowledgement of tough times and challenges, but with a hopeful, euphoric edge. Especially with the gigs – hope in a communal sense. ”
Doves play SWX on March 14. Given the trio’s previous incarnation as dance act Sub Sub, I shared club listings that might take Andy’s fancy. Tech-house at Motion? Northern Soul at the Crown Tavern? Maybe drum and bass at Lakota?
“Lakota? God, I remember that club. Amazing. I’d probably pop my head into the drum and bass night, then the Northern Soul.”
It seems an odd coincidence that their old pal and collaborator, Damon Gough – aka Badly Drawn Boy – is in town that night too. Maybe a reunion is in order – ‘Manchester’s class of 2000, 25 years on in Bristol’. How does Andy view that time?
“Fond memories. We lived around the corner from one another, went out a lot. We’d been around the block – it felt like getting another crack at the whip. We had such different approaches to music, so we learned a lot from each other.”
It seems a long time ago now – but then it’s ages since Bristol last saw Doves.
“I can’t believe we’ve not toured in fifteen years,” says Andy, sounding genuinely surprised. Which is ironic, since Doves nailed that feeling in There Goes The Fear, singing “You turn around and life’s passed you by”.
But we all make mistakes. And as Doves know, getting older is all about accepting them. It’s the honest thing to do.
Doves play SWX on Friday, March 14. Badly Drawn Boy performs his Mercury-winning album The Hour Of The Bewilderbeast at the O2 Academy the same night. Doves’ new album Constellations For The Lonely is released on Friday, February 28: find out more here.
All images: Brian Stevens
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