Doves: ‘There’s always hiccups but we’re resilient’
Stuart Pollitt & Chris Long
BBC News, Manchester
BBC
Brothers and bandmates Jez and Andy Williams said they were used to adapting to change
When Doves announced their first major tour in 15 years would be without lead singer Jimi Goodwin, fans were left wondered how the rest of the band would adjust.
But for guitarist Jez Williams, it was just another chapter in their ever-changing musical story which has seen them need to “constantly adapt to shifting situations”.
His brother Andy, who makes up the final third of the band on drums, it was even plainer than that.
“Throughout the history of the band, there’s always been hiccups.
“We’ve had a studio fire, we’ve had various people go by the wayside.
“It’s about trying to be resilient, which is not always easy.”
Getty Images
Jimi Goodwin
Despite those occasional setbacks, Doves remain one of the most successful bands of their generation.
The trio met at school and found initial success in their native Manchester as dance act Sub Sub, before shooting to international fame with hit single, Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use).
But after that studio fire in 1998, they turned instead to indie rock.
The band’s first two albums, Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast, were nominated for the Mercury Prize, while their third, Some Cities, and fourth, Kingdom of Rust, debuted at numbers one and two in the UK charts respectively.
That success included progressively larger world tours, before the band entered a hiatus in 2010.
After side and solo projects, they returned with The Universal Want in 2020, but their live comeback was halted when Goodwin pulled out of the shows during the tour.
His absence was due to what the band said were his ongoing challenges with mental health, issues which have also seen him unable to take part in the upcoming tour for sixth album, Constellations For The Lonely.
It means the brothers, who have previously taken lead vocals on the occasional song, will now share all the live singing duties between them.
Jez said his friend and bandmate’s admission that he needed help was to be commended and that while he was “not out of the woods yet”, he was “doing a lot better”.
“There’s nothing with getting help or therapy.
“In fact, it’s vital and there should be no shame in it at all.
“It’s 2025 now, we have to get over the stigma.”
Andy said the band had “tried to be honest and open about all this”.
“As much as we love it, touring can be quite a challenge if you’re not in the best place.”
Both Jez and Andy Williams have regularly sung with the band before, but only occasionally taken lead vocals
Much of their new album was recorded remotely, a decision Goodwin has previously said was a “godsend” as it allowed him to take part.
However, Andy said it nearly did not happen at all.
He said when they started, they “didn’t know where to go with stuff”.
“It was make or break.
“But inevitably, me and Jez started tinkering in the studio again, because it’s what we’ve always done since we were kids.”
In a joke, he added they were like “cockroaches”, something which his brother agreed with.
For Jez, it was an apt if unusual comparison.
“We’re survivors,” he said.
“We’ll outlast a nuclear war.”
Constellations For The Lonely is out on 28 February. Doves are on tour across the UK in February and March.
