While the Doves have been playing together in some form for the last 15 years, it’s the band’s latest endeavor, “Some Cities,” that’s getting them the attention they deserve.
Following in the footsteps of other Northern English predecessors like the Verve and Stone Roses, this Mancunian outfit has crafted a collection of lush songs hearkening back to ’50s doo-wop and ’60s blues while still toeing the indie-rock line.
Metromix caught up with lead singer Jimi Goodwin, who seems to have trouble staying healthy. After fighting the flu during South by Southwest in March and fighting a nasty cold in Germany (during our interview, no less), the singer forced the band to postpone the first smattering of dates on their upcoming U.S. tour, including Coachella, after doctors told him to rest his ailing vocal chords. Rock stars: They’re not superheroes; they’re just like us.
The tour is set to resume in Chicago–how lucky for us!
You’re in Hamburg; what’s it like?
It’s OK. The venue is downtown, and it’s quite sleazy; there’s legalized prostitution. We’re right in the thick of the red light zone. It’s quite seedy. At least it’s legal, and the girls can get tested. [Prostitution is] not going to go away.
Ever partake?
Years ago, and I didn’t enjoy it one bit. There’s no intimacy; there’s no emotion.
Do you have to feel emotion to have sex?
You have to feel turned on. It’s nice to be in love with the person. You can’t rule out intimacy, but you can get that with someone [you know]. Paying for it is a bit scary.
You could write about it on your blog. Whose idea was it to start posting?
I think it was Paul, one of our friends at the label [Capitol Records]. We’ve always moaned about our site, and it’s become more important. The album’s been out for nearly three months over here. We just want to make it special, and it’s sort of the novelty factor. We all have digital cameras and laptops. It’s good fun.
Do you check out any other blogs?
No, but there’s millions out there. I’ve been getting reports of online reviews, and there’s so many out there now. It’s fascinating–it’s exploded. I’ve seen Pitchfork; we were reviewed on there.
You guys seem to be getting more buzz with this album. What do you think changed since your last release?
I don’t know. It’s just where we are. If anything, we’re stretching it and hopefully growing together. There’s still chemistry between us. I’ve seen great positive reviews of the album. If it was the other way around, I’d be licking my wounds.
It sounds like you might have been influenced by some ’50s pop, like on “Black and White Town.”
It’s sort of inspired by “Heat Wave.” It’s our take on American black R&B from the ’50s and ’60s. It’s very British, lyrically. It’s that small-town mentality. It’s about as nostalgic as we get–thinking there’s got to be more to it than that.
I know you’re confirmed for Glastonbury; is it your first time playing it?
No way, man. We’ve played, we’re really proud of it. We’ve played the last six. Our first year, before we put out our first EP, there was a new band stage; it’s now called the John Peel Stage. It’s a thing of pride for us. Every year the band has grown. It’s getting bigger, and it’s changing.
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Doves
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.
Tickets: Sold out
