Canadian singer-songwriter Donovan Woods, renowned for his heartfelt songs and acoustic sound, will be performing at The Ark on October 16. He has a devoted world-wide following and blends styles of indie, folk and country in his music.
We interviewed Woods, who shared personal influences in his music, specifically about the inspiration of his latest release “Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now,” released in July this year.
“Therapy has led me to attempt to say my feelings and needs out loud, which is hard for me,” Woods said. “I don’t like the vulnerability. A therapist told me to start by just saying when things are nice. So started doing that, and that’s what the title is (‘Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now’). Just reminding myself that things are good sometimes. It’s also, of course, a wink at modernity in this moment, wherein we all know that something feels bad. It feels like things are not going good.”
Woods is originally from Sarnia, Ontario but gained notoriety from divulging so much in his lyrical storytelling, sometimes delving deep on the topics like love, relationships and small yet meaningful moments that surround us. His debut album was in 2009.
Woods said he likes to engage with the audience, both through conversation and song when on stage. He is open, self-reflective and honest.
“Well, I’m a talker, so there’s a lot of talking but it’s not annoying,” Woods said. “I sing a lot, also. And there’s a great band and it’s emotional, hopefully. Emotional and funny, and not too long, you know? No one’s legs will get too tired.”
Woods also spoke about how his music has evolved over time. He literally now bares his soul.
“When I listen back to my old songs, I was writing them to play alone at open mics or noisy bars. I can hear that,” Woods said. “I wasn’t really writing about much. I was just trying to prove that I could sing and play guitar pretty well. So, that’s what those songs are. They’re more like a demonstration of my skills so people would know that I know what I’m doing. All writers, I think, are a product of their influences before they become themselves. I think I’m myself now.”
Woods also handles a multitude of themes in his music.
“This album was inspired, I guess, by a midlife crisis,” Woods said. “I’m writing about my first experiences as a person who’s trying to live with complete honesty for the first time. I didn’t quite know how to do that before. I wouldn’t tell anybody everything I was feeling. And I’m always writing about couples and the things we do to each other in relationships. I’m interested in domesticity. Wow, really selling it. It’s also life-affirming, I swear.”
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“I have (been in Ann Arbor), yup,” Woods said. “I remember the Pretzel Bell, I think it’s called. I’ve had some nice sandwiches there. My wife and I were last at The Ark when we drove from my hometown of Sarnia — across the river from Port Huron, Michigan — to see Lori McKenna, who’s just one of the best songwriters currently living if you ask me.”
He also enjoys the process of touring, mingling and walking about while traveling.
I like increasing my daily step count,” Woods said. “I get to walk through a lot of museums, which is my favorite thing to do on earth. I like to talk to people about music at the shows. I love how much people love music. I like it a lot, and many people like it way more than me.”
His music, like his life, promises to focus on moments of joy, the intricacies of friendship, and even hope.
The Ark. 316 S Main St, Ann Arbor. Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. $26
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
