History
Doves
Doves is an alternative rock band hailing from Manchester, United Kingdom. The core lineup features Jimi Goodwin on vocals and bass, alongside twin brothers Jez Williams on guitar and Andy Williams on drums. Martin Rebelski often joins them live on keyboards.
The band is recognized for its expansive, epic sound, characterized by interwoven guitar melodies, powerful percussion, and a strong sense of atmosphere. Notably, both Jez and Andy Williams have also contributed lead vocals.
From Sub Sub to Doves: Origins and Early Success
The group's roots trace back to 1988 when they formed as Sub Sub, a dance act that emerged alongside Manchester's burgeoning rave scene. They achieved moderate success for seven years, including the UK Top 3 hit "Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)". However, a devastating fire in 1996 destroyed their studio and all their recordings. This profound experience, marked by tragedy and pressure, inspired a name change to Doves in 1998 and ultimately led to their debut album, Lost Souls, released in April 2000. The album, a dark and atmospheric collection featuring brooding keyboards and intense grooves, reached number 13 on the UK charts, propelled by the Top 40 singles "The Cedar Room," "Catch The Sun," and "The Man Who Told Everything."
Commercial Peak and Critical Acclaim
Two years later, Doves reached their commercial and critical zenith with their second album, The Last Broadcast. It topped the UK charts and featured the hit single "There Goes The Fear," which climbed to number 3. The album was noted for its vast, spacious production and an overall feeling of euphoria. Two further singles, "Pounding" and "Caught By The River," also charted within the Top 40. In the summer of 2003, Doves headlined the Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival.
Continued Evolution and Solo Ventures
Recording challenges and writer's block preceded the release of their third album, Some Cities, in Spring 2005. This release marked a return to the more intimate soundscapes of their debut, while still producing the Top 10 single "Black & White Town." Some Cities debuted at number 1 in the UK and garnered some of the band's most positive reviews.
During the late 1990s, both Jimi Goodwin and Jez Williams contributed to other projects. Goodwin played bass for Electronic on their 1999 album Twisted Tenderness, while Williams provided guitar for Saint Etienne on Good Humor (1998), Sound of Water (2000), and Finisterre (2002).
2009 saw the release of Kingdom of Rust, supported by a subsequent tour. This was followed by The Places Between, a greatest hits compilation also released as a double album with a DVD featuring music videos and remixes.
In an interview with The Daily Record, Jimi Goodwin indicated the band was taking a break from recording to avoid the album-tour cycle. He stated they were not ready to return to the studio for at least two years, describing it as a chance to "wipe the slate clean" and start anew.
On October 2, 2012, EMI International released a Doves anthology titled 5 Album Set, encompassing their four studio albums from Lost Souls to Kingdom of Rust, along with the 2003 reissue of Lost Sides.
In March 2014, Jimi Goodwin released his debut solo album, Odludek. Jez and Andy Williams began collaborating again in 2012, recording in various home studios. In summer 2014, their new project, Black Rivers, was announced. They began performing live and released their self-titled debut album in February 2015.
Return and New Music
At the end of 2018, the members of Doves announced a series of concerts for 2019 and tentative plans to explore new music together. As the tour neared its conclusion, the band indicated that their August 31 and September 6, 2019 shows would be their last until a new album was completed.
On June 18, 2020, Doves released their first new material in ten years, the single "Carousels." This was followed by "Prisoners" on July 9. Both tracks were featured on their new album, The Universal Want, which was released on September 11, 2020, and debuted at number 1 in the UK. In October 2021, the band canceled their upcoming tour due to Jimi Goodwin's mental health, stating that "performing live isn't possible for us at this time or in the immediate future."
