Since the Doves began they have always done something different with each of their albums and their latest, Some Cities, is no different. Jimi Goodwin [vocals, bass guitar], Jez Williams [guitar] and Andy Williams [drums] are poised to become really popular and they are hoping that a performance at Coachella Valley Music Festival will help out.
But Some Cities from the Doves
Daniel Robert Epstein: How are you today?
Jez Williams: Good, were down in Austin for South by Southwest and its been pretty good. We came in special for it so its just a whistlestop for a few gigs. Then were going to go back home to finish the second leg of the European tour.
DRE: What made you guys want to come to South by Southwest?
JW: South by Southwest has a brilliant reputation in England. There are so many people that speak highly of this festival so when we got the invite we wanted to do it.
DRE: Have you gotten a chance to see any other bands?
JW: Fuck we're just working like horses out here but I might go check out a few tonight.
DRE: You guys must be really psyched for Coachella.
JW: Really excited about Coachella. As I said South by Southwest is really well known in England so Coachella really gets talked up. Weve heard its really hot weather when you do it but brilliant.
DRE: Do you plan on seeing any other bands there?
JW: We havent gotten the list yet but thats what festivals are all about. You do your thing then try to catch some other bands.
DRE: After that is the tour with Mercury Rev.
JW: Yeah well be doing a five week tour in May. Weve always been massive Mercury Rev fans so its an honor to do gigs with them.
DRE: What was the inspiration for Doves latest album, Some Cities?
JW: I think our biggest inspiration was to do something different from our last album and try to make it interesting for us. We wanted it to be a bit more immediate and a bit more like our band. So we went into a series of rehearsals and jams. It was all about capturing the heart of the songs within the band with a bit less production.
DRE: For a band of relatively young guys, you have kind of a Motown and Beach Boys thing happening in Some Cities.
JW: Its hard not to grow up in England and not hear those bands. There have been some amazing periods for the Beach Boys. We dont try to consciously make it sound like them but we definitely like those songs.
DRE: You guys have taken a lot of influences and created something fresh. What bands influence do all of you share that helped you find common ground?
JW: We treat every track as if it was its own entity so we never looked to one particular song or band. I suppose if we had to pick something it would be Northern Soul.
DRE: Hopefully every band wants their newest album to be much different from their previous work, but you guys have really gone to the extreme with that.
JW: It wasnt something we actually discussed. It was more of a given. Some bands dont mind staying on one format but all of our albums are different from one another. Each one is definitely a reflection of the time and it reminds us of that different time and place. We have to be different since The Last Broadcast because we are different people. Weve never discussed how but we knew what we didnt want it to be like but not exactly what we did want to sound like.
DRE: What is the Doves songwriting process?
JW: We write collectively and we write individually. But I would have to say that this album was written more collective than The Last Broadcast was. This was a definite, get the gear into a room and try to capture that. Thats what was the most defining thing for Some Cities and I guess thats what makes it sound more immediate.
DRE: How was the recording and production of the album?
JW: Thats what takes the most time for us. The songwriting is quite quick but since we are a democracy the actual production takes quite a bit of time. We each have ideas of what we should sound like. That was the hard work and thats what really took it out of us.
DRE: I dont think there is any one song on Some Cities that could be a single, was it difficult to pick a track for that?
JW: Actually it was easy. Black And White Town was an obvious choice so we went for that. Then Snowden is going to come out as the second single. Were not really a band that is driven by singles but you have to put them out there.
DRE: I read that you and your brother Andy are twins. Do you guys ever team up on Jimi Goodwin?
JW: [laughs] Youd have to ask him that but we dont.
DRE: If someone pokes you with a pin does Andy feel it?
JW: [laughs] No but sometimes we will both go to say the same thing at the same time. Also we know what one another is thinking sometimes especially musically. But all three of us have been together for so long that we are all in tune with one another.
DRE: So youre more like triplets now?
JW: In a weird fucked up way, yes.
DRE: They are turning some Beach Boys songs into a Broadway show, do you think in 30 years the same can be done with the Doves music?
JW: I hope not.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
But Some Cities from the Doves
Daniel Robert Epstein: How are you today?
Jez Williams: Good, were down in Austin for South by Southwest and its been pretty good. We came in special for it so its just a whistlestop for a few gigs. Then were going to go back home to finish the second leg of the European tour.
DRE: What made you guys want to come to South by Southwest?
JW: South by Southwest has a brilliant reputation in England. There are so many people that speak highly of this festival so when we got the invite we wanted to do it.
DRE: Have you gotten a chance to see any other bands?
JW: Fuck we're just working like horses out here but I might go check out a few tonight.
DRE: You guys must be really psyched for Coachella.
JW: Really excited about Coachella. As I said South by Southwest is really well known in England so Coachella really gets talked up. Weve heard its really hot weather when you do it but brilliant.
DRE: Do you plan on seeing any other bands there?
JW: We havent gotten the list yet but thats what festivals are all about. You do your thing then try to catch some other bands.
DRE: After that is the tour with Mercury Rev.
JW: Yeah well be doing a five week tour in May. Weve always been massive Mercury Rev fans so its an honor to do gigs with them.
DRE: What was the inspiration for Doves latest album, Some Cities?
JW: I think our biggest inspiration was to do something different from our last album and try to make it interesting for us. We wanted it to be a bit more immediate and a bit more like our band. So we went into a series of rehearsals and jams. It was all about capturing the heart of the songs within the band with a bit less production.
DRE: For a band of relatively young guys, you have kind of a Motown and Beach Boys thing happening in Some Cities.
JW: Its hard not to grow up in England and not hear those bands. There have been some amazing periods for the Beach Boys. We dont try to consciously make it sound like them but we definitely like those songs.
DRE: You guys have taken a lot of influences and created something fresh. What bands influence do all of you share that helped you find common ground?
JW: We treat every track as if it was its own entity so we never looked to one particular song or band. I suppose if we had to pick something it would be Northern Soul.
DRE: Hopefully every band wants their newest album to be much different from their previous work, but you guys have really gone to the extreme with that.
JW: It wasnt something we actually discussed. It was more of a given. Some bands dont mind staying on one format but all of our albums are different from one another. Each one is definitely a reflection of the time and it reminds us of that different time and place. We have to be different since The Last Broadcast because we are different people. Weve never discussed how but we knew what we didnt want it to be like but not exactly what we did want to sound like.
DRE: What is the Doves songwriting process?
JW: We write collectively and we write individually. But I would have to say that this album was written more collective than The Last Broadcast was. This was a definite, get the gear into a room and try to capture that. Thats what was the most defining thing for Some Cities and I guess thats what makes it sound more immediate.
DRE: How was the recording and production of the album?
JW: Thats what takes the most time for us. The songwriting is quite quick but since we are a democracy the actual production takes quite a bit of time. We each have ideas of what we should sound like. That was the hard work and thats what really took it out of us.
DRE: I dont think there is any one song on Some Cities that could be a single, was it difficult to pick a track for that?
JW: Actually it was easy. Black And White Town was an obvious choice so we went for that. Then Snowden is going to come out as the second single. Were not really a band that is driven by singles but you have to put them out there.
DRE: I read that you and your brother Andy are twins. Do you guys ever team up on Jimi Goodwin?
JW: [laughs] Youd have to ask him that but we dont.
DRE: If someone pokes you with a pin does Andy feel it?
JW: [laughs] No but sometimes we will both go to say the same thing at the same time. Also we know what one another is thinking sometimes especially musically. But all three of us have been together for so long that we are all in tune with one another.
DRE: So youre more like triplets now?
JW: In a weird fucked up way, yes.
DRE: They are turning some Beach Boys songs into a Broadway show, do you think in 30 years the same can be done with the Doves music?
JW: I hope not.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
eyecue:
Quite possibly the best band alive today, and definitely one of the best live shows ever. Seen them 5 times here in the states and just saw them recently at Brixton Academy in London - it's impossible for them do a bad show - if you haven't seen them, do it. Oh, and Snowden might one of the prettiest songs ever as well. They're in a league of their own. Nice to see an interview with them on here.
doublebass:
I have bad news, people. Doves are cancelling most of their west coast dates, including Coachella. 