Concert Review: Julie Doiron @ Cake Shop, April 24th, 2009

Julie Doiron at Cake Shop
(Photos courtesy Nikki Ross)

Julie Doiron – Borrowed Minivans

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Let’s face it — we love, love, love women who sound like Julie Doiron. From Moon Pix-era Chan Marshall, to PJ Harvey circa 2004’s Uh Huh Her, to Wye Oak’s feedback-fondling Jenn Wassner. And, in case you hadn’t noticed, The Pop Filter really likes these artists. Which is not to say Doiron sings with a similar sense of urgency or, in Harvey’s case, a penetrating obtuseness, but rather with a vocal clarity/subtle airness in higher registers bound to elicit drawn-out, contented sighs from listeners the likes of you and me (you know who you are).

And for the record, no, Julie Doiron isn’t pop. Or rock. Or indie (whatever that means today). She’s a musician who manages to convey more sincerity with three chords and a drum kit than most accomplish with instrumentation numbering in the double digits — a feat, I find, warranting considerable praise. Rawkblog recently classified Doiron’s I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day as “a Kimya Dawson record for adults,” which I agree with in most respects. Real music about real feelings played without agenda. These are skillfully crafted songs. Structurally. Contextually. In aim and execution. And they’re good.

Additional photos after the jump.

Julie Doiron – Tailor

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I have thought these lines many a time this past month. More than I care to admit.

Let’s leave it at that.

Doiron embarks on a tour of the great northwest later this month. Dates listed on her Myspace page.

[Buy Julie Doiron]