“It’s cos I’m pregnant” pleads Julie Doiron while trying to regain her composure mid song, not a line you hear at your average gig, but then Canada’s Doiron is no average artist or performer.
This happens on a couple of occasions tonight but you won’t hear a peep out of anyone as they remain cast under her spell of warming whimsical internal monologues.
Doiron is no stranger to touring having spent the best part of 20 years on the road.
However, its unlikely she has previously ventured out to the other side of world while so heavily pregnant!
Nevertheless, she is as engaging and chatty as ever, indeed one could imagine her spending the entire hour spilling out thoughts rather than performing material.
No shortage of material there is, when not collaborating with everyone from Okkervil River to Mount Eerie or starting a new band she’s somehow found time to amass ten solo efforts.
So Many Days the third in a trilogy produced by former Eric’s Trip band mate Rick has just became available this side of the pond, almost a full year later than its North American release.
Ambling on stage a full seven months pregnant Doiron and an accompanying guitarist open the set with ‘By the Lake’, a nice punchy piece of offhanded beauty to open a predominately hushed set.
Doiron apologises for playing two new songs in a row, insisting we “get them out the way”, but such misgivings appear unfounded as the new material gains a positive reaction from a small devoted crowd.
‘Cars and Trucks’ is possibly one of her most upbeat numbers in years and has those in Broadcast foot tapping along, while ‘Homeless’ is the standout haunting track of the night.
With just Doiron and guitarist Christopher McLaughlin on show tonight there is a low key vibe to proceedings and the lack of drums hampers small sections of the set.
In spite of this minor disappointment, the apologetic and mournful ‘Homeless’ showcases the kind of dark beauty Doiron is prone to produce; “I used to be good” she talk-sings to snippets of bass.
Consistently releasing albums filled with a melancholic song writing prowess and an uncanny ability to build beautiful melodies; pieces that are endearing without becoming overbearing the intimacy created through her painfully honest lyrics allows a crowd to step inside those regrets and wishes.
‘Swan Pond’ follows along in this trend, understated guitar chugs along while Doiron’s imaginative phrasing “one, two, three, one two, three oh swan” wraps itself through the venue.
Following the electric brilliance of ‘Consolation Song’ she speaks of “shifting the units” and that it’s unlikely she’ll tour for a few years and for someone who has reportedly taught yoga to maintain the bills/nappies it’s clear the rock star life isn’t always all its cracked up to be.
Doiron has spoken in the past her concerns of becoming too mainstream, but when such desperate measures are taken (in addition to the pregnancy thing) surely she should cut herself some slack.
Whatever her conclusion, it would be a horrible reflection of an industry in a self induced never-ending coma if such a talent was lost and consigned to fitness classes and the like.
As the set closes with the audience requested acoustic French magnifique that is ‘Ce Charmant Coeur’ one can only hope this is not the last wee see of this charming heart.
Words: Andy Quigley
Photos: Jayjay Robertson
