Joe Donovan

Drummer — Manchester

01Profile

A Joe Donovan Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Joe Donovan, Manchester.

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘Manchester’ and ‘Music’?
Going out. Whether it’s 42s or to a gig or even just pre-drinking with the tunes on, I don’t know if it’s because we’re missing being able to do them things at the moment but that’s the first thing that comes to mind having a good time with mates.

What part has Manchester played in your own musical journey?
I’d say a huge part, we’ve always done mint gigs here and the crowds are always the best and I don’t just think that’s because it's home town, so many bands look forward to a Manchester gig, they’re next level. I think the buzz for live music is mint whether it’s watching someone starting out playing Night and Day or someone at the MEN I think the loyalty Manchester crowds show to live bands plays a part in most bands.

Why do you think Manchester has produced and inspired so many amazing musicians?
Who knows, it’s got something though hasn’t it, maybe how normal it all is or how sound most of the people you meet in town are? Could be that or it’s just raining all the time so staying in starting a band is the only thing to do.

Tell us about your favourite ever Blossoms gig in Manchester?
My favourite and it’s really hard to pick is probably The Ritz gig we last did, I think when you play a venue that’s a little smaller than what you usually play it’s amazing, the crowd goes off because they feel lucky to get tickets, you’re buzzing on stage from them buzzing so the gigs there just go off and that sprung dance floor gets a beating.

How important do you think the Northern Quarter is in terms of Manchester’s musical scene?
I think it’s massively important, so many little venues that are mint for bands to play whether it’s just starting up or a secret gig, no matter what day you can always find a live gig on in the Northern Quarter and that is massively important because it's so easy to book a gig and get your name out there.

Where’s the best place to discover new music in the NQ?
I’d say Night and Day cafe, that amount of huge acts that have played that venue on the way up is amazing!


instagram.com/joedonovan

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others' by The Smiths.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Morning Glory' by Oasis.

One record you would keep forever?
'Rubber Soul' by The Beatles.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
"England is mine, and it owes me a living"

From 'Still Ill' by The Smiths.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Party All The Time' by Eddie Murphy.

A song you wished you had written?
'Charlemagne' by Blossoms.

Best song to turn up loud?
'In The Morning' by The Coral.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Taste (Make it Shake)' by Aitch.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Regret' by New Order.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
The Coral’s new album and Inhaler.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Joe Donovan, Manchester.

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘Manchester’ and ‘Music’?
Going out. Whether it’s 42s or to a gig or even just pre-drinking with the tunes on, I don’t know if it’s because we’re missing being able to do them things at the moment but that’s the first thing that comes to mind having a good time with mates.

What part has Manchester played in your own musical journey?
I’d say a huge part, we’ve always done mint gigs here and the crowds are always the best and I don’t just think that’s because it's home town, so many bands look forward to a Manchester gig, they’re next level. I think the buzz for live music is mint whether it’s watching someone starting out playing Night and Day or someone at the MEN I think the loyalty Manchester crowds show to live bands plays a part in most bands.

Why do you think Manchester has produced and inspired so many amazing musicians?
Who knows, it’s got something though hasn’t it, maybe how normal it all is or how sound most of the people you meet in town are? Could be that or it’s just raining all the time so staying in starting a band is the only thing to do.

Tell us about your favourite ever Blossoms gig in Manchester?
My favourite and it’s really hard to pick is probably The Ritz gig we last did, I think when you play a venue that’s a little smaller than what you usually play it’s amazing, the crowd goes off because they feel lucky to get tickets, you’re buzzing on stage from them buzzing so the gigs there just go off and that sprung dance floor gets a beating.

How important do you think the Northern Quarter is in terms of Manchester’s musical scene?
I think it’s massively important, so many little venues that are mint for bands to play whether it’s just starting up or a secret gig, no matter what day you can always find a live gig on in the Northern Quarter and that is massively important because it's so easy to book a gig and get your name out there.

Where’s the best place to discover new music in the NQ?
I’d say Night and Day cafe, that amount of huge acts that have played that venue on the way up is amazing!


instagram.com/joedonovan

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others' by The Smiths.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Morning Glory' by Oasis.

One record you would keep forever?
'Rubber Soul' by The Beatles.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
"England is mine, and it owes me a living"

From 'Still Ill' by The Smiths.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Party All The Time' by Eddie Murphy.

A song you wished you had written?
'Charlemagne' by Blossoms.

Best song to turn up loud?
'In The Morning' by The Coral.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Taste (Make it Shake)' by Aitch.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Regret' by New Order.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
The Coral’s new album and Inhaler.