![]() Initially acoustic, it unfurls with snatches of distorted instruments that are both dizzying and luminous. “Being Together,” his latest single (out July 9), further defies expectations of what a Donovan Woods song sounds like. Together they find power in grace and economy as their voices entwine. Woods’ featured vocals on Dabin & Nurko’s “When This Is Over” glide into anthemic dance pop, and yet Woods still sounds right at home.įor “IOWA,” a bucolic meditation on dreaming of a place you know doesn’t exist, Woods found a kindred spirit in Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan. As he does so, his own songs have become more dimensional as he digs into new sonic textures. Those collaborations highlighted a growing truth about Woods: As respected as he is as a solo artist, he continues to evolve and work with musicians across disparate genres. On “Lonely People,” buzzed-about British singer Rhys Lewis delicately echoes Woods’ sentiments about wanting to be alone – until you’re suddenly lonely.Īs an in-demand songwriter whose work has been recorded by the likes of Tim McGraw (“Portland, Maine”) and Lady A’s Charles Kelley (“Leaving Nashville”), Woods enlisted a who’s who of fellow songwriters for Without People: Ashley Monroe, Dustin Christensen, Femke Weidema, and Ed Robertson (of Barenaked Ladies), among others. You hear it in the way the harmonies pile up in gossamer layers on “Seeing Other People” and in the tenderness of “She Waits for Me to Come Back Down,” Woods’ evocative duet with rising singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt. So much of the album’s allure is rooted in how Woods connects with his collaborators and imparts the intimacy so many of us crave. It was so successful, in fact, that it led to a deluxe edition in 2021 and digital streams well beyond 20 million. Out now on Wood’s own Meant Well label, Without People has been acclaimed as “a nuanced experience” (American Songwriter), a thoughtful exploration of “fleeting interpersonal moments now under the microscope” (NPR/KUTX) and “various aspects of human connection” (Rolling Stone), and for striking “a gentle, poignant note” (Billboard). “But we tried our best to re-create that feeling.” “So much of what I like about making records is the spontaneity of making music in a room together, and we missed that,” Woods says. This is not how Woods, winner of the 2019 Juno Award for contemporary roots album (for Both Ways) and whose global streams have surpassed 220 million, prefers to create music. ![]() As Woods’ new songs took shape, backing musicians sketched out their own parts in isolation from their respective homes. In a makeshift recording studio at his Toronto home, the acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter tracked his vocals and guitar alone and then emailed files to producer James Bunton. Website: Some days you just want to pack it all in and give up, but the inner strength comes out and you pull through it, then you look back and laugh.Late at night, when a hush fell over the house after his kids went to bed, Donovan Woods got to work on his latest album, Without People. ![]() Donovan has played roles in several musical theatre productions including The Sapphires, Flower Children and We Will Rock You. Her autobiography is called Casey Donovan: Big, Beautiful & Sexy. Since then Donovan has made her mark not only as a musician, but on the stage in musical theatre and as a television presenter, MC, and author.Ĭasey is a multi-award winner and nominee, including an ARIA No #1 Award for Listen with Your Heart and Deadly Awards for Best Album, Best Single and Most Promising New Talent. Aged 16 she became the youngest-ever winner of Australian Idol. Casey Lee Donovan, a Gumbaynggirr and Dungari woman, is one of Australia’s most diverse Aboriginal entertainers.
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