Donovan Woods

Friday, October 25 • 8 PM
The Historic Market Hall 

A decade ago, singer-songwriter Donovan Woods released his first album, and since then, his unique blend of folk, country, and pop has struck a chord with listeners around the globe. Fast forward to today, and this award-winning artist has seen his star rise, especially with his breakthrough album, Without People.

Touring for Without People had Woods playing to his biggest crowds yet, including a slot opening for New Jersey’s retro rockers, Gaslight Anthem, on their recent reunion tour. Not too shabby for a guy who started out playing cozy coffee shops!

Over the years, Woods has built a loyal fanbase who hang on his every word. Known for his raw and unfiltered songwriting, Donovan has never been one to sugarcoat things. With his upcoming seventh studio album, Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now, Woods dives even deeper into his soul, taking a long, hard look at himself—and let’s just say, he’s not exactly thrilled with what he finds. For an artist who’s never been afraid to bare his soul, this is as gritty as it gets.

Woods has always been a master storyteller, and he’s at the top of his game on this album. Across 12 sparse and intimate tracks, he reflects on the ups and downs of life since 2020. The album, he says, is like “a funeral to the life he was living.” So, you know, light stuff.

Musically, Woods decided to shake things up this time around. “We had our boundaries and made things sound beautiful within them,” he explains. “What’s left is scrappier than Without People, but the moments of creation are much more accessible on this record.”

Many of the songs on Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now dig into the nitty-gritty of friendships and relationships, zooming in on the small moments that make life so complex. Co-produced with longtime collaborator James Bunton throughout 2023, the album’s delicate nature shines through in its lyrics.

Woods has always been fascinated by what makes people tick, and that curiosity is front and center on this album. Happy, party vibes? Not his thing. Instead, he takes listeners down some darker paths, admitting, “It was a warts and all album in a way that I never had done before.” The result? Songs that are as universal as they are personal.

Take the heart-wrenching track “Rosemary,” co-written with Connor Seidel. It’s about the fallout from a heated argument, but let’s be honest—who hasn’t had a long, existential fight over text? Woods describes it as finally admitting all your faults, showing your true self, and asking, “Can you still love me?” And really wanting an answer.

But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom! On “When Our Friends Come Over,” Woods sings about a couple rediscovering their affection for each other, even as they navigate a rocky patch. Featuring Madi Diaz on vocals, the song is a reminder that sometimes the smallest gestures can be the most meaningful.

Then there’s “Back for the Funeral,” a song that cuts deep. It’s about returning to your hometown after a friend’s overdose, a situation that stirs up all kinds of emotions. Woods explores the bittersweet nature of reconnecting with old friends under such tragic circumstances, showing that even in the darkest times, there’s a glimmer of light.

As Woods continues to dig into his own complexities, Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now stands as a portrait of a songwriter at his creative peak. Tackling life’s harshest truths isn’t easy, but Woods does it with brutal honesty and an unflinching gaze. Because that’s what great songwriters do, right?