Doves Discuss Performing Without Jimi Goodwin
Doves have addressed their performances in the absence of frontman Jimi Goodwin, with drummer Andy Williams expressing pride in Goodwin’s efforts to maintain his sobriety.
Band’s Journey Without Their Frontman
The British indie rock trio has undertaken a series of shows without Goodwin, who is currently taking time off to focus on his recovery.
“I’m not going on air this time,” Goodwin stated to NME in November. “The door is not closed on this chapter; I just need to respect my sobriety and do what I need to do to maintain it. I'm not ready to perform yet.”
In a recent interview with Guardian, the band, comprising brothers Andy and Jez Williams, shared insights about life on the road without their frontman. In Goodwin’s absence, the siblings have taken on vocal responsibilities.
“I felt like Jimi was there in spirit,” Andy commented to Guardian regarding their performances last month. “He’s not here at the moment, but he’s very much a part of us.”
He noted that the opportunity to tour again has been “quite healing,” and that their current arrangement has been positive: “We've all really been through some rough patches, but no one's had a fight about it. I'm very proud that we're still good friends.”
Andy also remarked that, from his last meeting with Goodwin, he was “proud of him for really succeeding” and “being passionate about his sobriety.”
Goodwin had previously announced that he “has my full blessing” for the brothers to tour as Doves without him, according to NME.
“I'm very happy for them,” he noted. “They still want to work and perform as musicians. It's part of the package for them, and for me too, but right now I don't want to upset the apple cart. You haven't heard me performing with Doves again yet.”
Upcoming Album and Reflections
The band is scheduled to release ‘Constellations For The Lonely’ in February 2025, serving as a follow-up to their 2020 chart-topping album ‘The Universal Want’. This will mark the trio’s first full-length album in 11 years since 2009’s “Kingdom Of Rust”.
Goodwin commented on the album to NME: “We have always worked very slowly, but we worked on this album for a whole year. It's funny to us.”
“To sit down with material that was signed and ready a year ago and only have it released next year is a huge achievement for Doves. With ‘The Universal Want’, we came back from a break with a renewed passion for each other and felt lucky because the chemistry was still there.”
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