Ahead of his debut Australian tour starting on the 13th of June, Juno award-winning Canadian artist Donovan Woods has released ‘116 West Main, Durham, NC’. The track is taken from his upcoming seventh studio album, ‘Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now’ out July 12th via End Times Music.
“I wrote this in a green room at The Carolina Theatre in Durham. I had a great day walking around (really nice town), and I was feeling hopeful. This is what passes as hopeful for me,” notes Donovan. “I’m trying to forgive myself more, and that’s what I’m doing here. I wanted it to feel like one of those days when you’re getting a lot of errands done. Maybe you’re walking, and your legs feel good. You feel like you could walk forever. It’s sunny, not too hot, and you think it’s good that time rolls on. Maybe it is actually good. Saxophones are the sound of moving on. Maybe you didn’t know that.” DONOVAN WOODS
The release of ‘116 West Main, Durham, NC’ comes just ahead of Donovan’s first shows on Australian shores – with intimate solo shows booked in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne – all of which will also feature local artist Hayley Warner.
The tour also sees Donovan partnering with Support Act – with $1 from each ticket sold going towards the music industry charity to support music industry professionals doing it rough; offering crisis relief, mental health support and aid.
Donovan’s popularity has built consistently over the last decade, testament largely to his heartfelt storytelling and live performances to match. Woods’ audiences have grown significantly in recent years, thanks to the success of 2020’s Without People album, tours with artists including The Gaslight Anthem, and US TV syncs (‘Portland, Maine’ featuring on The CW’s Legacies) establishing Donovan Woods as an artist to watch in a number of different markets.
Long known as a masterful storyteller, Woods is at his absolute best on ‘Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now’. Across the album’s 12 sparse, intimate songs, Woods finds himself reflecting on the ups and downs he has been through since his breakthrough in 2020. Through his songwriting, Woods opens up and addresses the complexities of life, and all that he has been going through. He notes, this album serves as “a funeral to the life I was living.” Woods was joined in the studio by a number of friends on the album, co-writing lead single ‘Rosemary’ with Connor Seidel, ‘I’m Just Trying To Get Home’ with Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran, Kacey Musgraves, Noah Cyrus) and Matt Prime (Sam Smith, Aloe Blacc, Charlie Puth), and featuring William Prince. Along with “When Our Friends Come Over,” a gorgeous duet written and performed with Madi Diaz.
As Donovan continues to work on himself, ‘Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now’ is the portrait of a songwriter at his creative best. Addressing the truths and pains of life is never easy, and here, he does so in a way that’s brutally honest.
DONOVAN WOODS LIVING WELL TOUR
w/ special guest Hayley Warner
TICKETS
Thursday June 13th Milk Bar, Perth WA
Friday June 14th Jive, Adelaide SA
Saturday June 15th Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
Thursday June 20th Stag & Hunter Hotel, Newcastle NSW
Friday June 21st The Great Club, Sydney NSW
Saturday June 22nd Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD
