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Interview with
DONOVAN WOODS

(26th April 2024)

Interview with Dave Bruce

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Photo by Brittany Farhart

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Have you always wanted to be an artist? When did you get the songwriting bug? Briefly describe the journey since the start.
I have always wanted to be a songwriter, yes. I was named after my dad’s favourite artist. I went to folk festivals as a kid and I really liked how much people adored musicians. It seemed like it might get me the attention I was looking for.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
I think I’m a folk songwriter at heart but I am susceptible to pop influence. I think people enjoy that I love to describe very small feelings or moments in songs that people can relate with but don’t often hear articulated well in music.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon. Incredible writers who never stopped pushing themselves to new artistic highs.

Your new album ‘Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now’ will be released in July! Describe its origin and evolution.
I started making demos for it in early 2023 and we wrapped it up later that year. It’s the first album I made where all the songs were built on top of my original demos. The title is a reference to one of my mental health strategies. Saying nice things out loud. When I’m having a good time, I like to say it out loud. “I’m having a nice time,” etc.  It reminds me to be grateful and to be present.

What are the signature tracks, and which are your favourites to play live?
I don’t know which are the signature tracks yet. I’ve just started to play the album live and so far my favourite to play is a song called “Rosemary”.

Your first Australian Tour is coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect? (Well done on the collaboration with Support Act as well.)
I have never been to Australia before so I’m just excited to see it! Fans can expect intimate shows where everyone will get to hear what they want to hear, because they can just ask me to play it. I’ll be like 10 feet away.

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If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Meat Loaf. What a guy. I bet he’d just be really nice to me.

What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist and how are you progressing towards them?
I would like to be able to make the music that I’d like to make, whenever and wherever I’d like, and I’m doing pretty well at it so far, I think.

With that in mind, what piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out?
Focus on songwriting. The rest of the stuff will take care of itself when the songs are right.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
I love when everyone is invested in the show. When everyone hold’s space for emotion and we can all create something that feels important and cathartic. It’s a real joy when people pay this type of close attention.

Finally, just a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Rhythm of the Saints, Paul Simon
Artist – Jay-Z
Movie – Roma
Place to visit – London, UK
Venue to play – Massey hall, Toronto
Food – Indian
Drink – Diet Coke
Person in History – Pass
Tattoo – I have the word ‘swimming’ on my arm because I like swimming.

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DONOVAN WOODS
LIVING WELL TOUR

TICKETS

Thursday 13th of June – Milk Bar, Perth WA
Friday, 14th of June – Jive, Adelaide SA
Saturday, 15th of June – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
Sunday, 16th of June – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave VIC
Thursday, 20th of June – Stag & Hunter Hotel, Newcastle NSW
Friday 21st of June – The Great Club, Sydney NSW
Saturday 22nd of June – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD

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PRAISE

“There are very few writers who can make you laugh and break your heart in the same song.”
NPR Music

“Everyone has their favorites, but this guy should be everyone’s favorite right now because he sounds like Donovan Woods and not like everyone else and writes to beat the devil…”
No Depression

“Woods makes memorable hooks and melodies out of heartbreak, jealousy, and loneliness that feel so obvious, so natural, casual listeners may not stop to appreciate just how gifted he is His talent truly shines on Hard Settle, Ain’t Troubled, an album easy to love and hard to forget”
Quick Before It Melts

“NNNN – Donovan Woods has built a career on melancholia, crafting wistful songs that tug at the heartstrings of anyone who’s had feelings about partners, ex-partners, where you’re from, where you shouldn’t have gone. His fourth album follows in those footsteps, but with the assured sharpness of an old pro. Hard Settle, Ain’t Troubled is his most solid album in a catalogue full of them.”
Now Magazine

“Sparse and intimate, Donovan Woods… feels like you’ve joined him in a closet full of winter coats so that he can whisper a few anecdotes that belong in your ears only.”
Exclaim

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Follow DONOVAN WOODS
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Youtube

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Press Release 20th March 2024 (below) HERE

Canadian indie-folk artist
DONOVAN WOODS
announces first
Australian Tour

Stream here
Watch here

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AMNPLIFY – DB