Altered states

It seems a bit strange to be watching Julie Doiron at Mavericks, which nowadays I usually think of in connection with metal and punk; the only stage I've seen her look at home on was The Rainbow (then again, it is a very homey stage). The first time I saw her solo on stage, opening for The Rheostatics, she literally was the only person up there. I've also seen her perform with a quartet, drumming for Blue Heeler, as part of Eric's Trip, singing with Attack in Black and attempting to submerge herself in her scarf with Wooden Stars at the long-gone Lucky Ron's. In short, for someone who's supposed to be a sad'n'strummy, heart-on-sleeve style singer-songwriter she's never appeared the same way before me. For this gig she seemed to be in touch with her inner Neil Young. I say this not because she accompanied Will Kidman's fairly straight-forward stab at Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere, but because of her frenetic guitar attack. If you've heard her latest album, 2009's I Can Wonder What you Did With Your Day, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Julie rocks the Hagstrom!



Kidman kicks in on the kit.



Toe-pointing action!



Running about!



Will hits! This drum set actually belongs to Doiron, and was feeling a bit worse for wear after being pummelled by Jon of The Allrights during their opening set.



Double the Julie!



Julie sings!



Extra Will.



Hair-shaking action! At one point Julie brushed her considerable bangs aside and accidentally saw the audience, much to her alarm.



There was considerable between song banter about self confidence. "I think I'm pretty cool ... some of the time," she noted. Also: Much discussion of Canadian municipal pride and it's dark side, dislike of Toronto.



Julie sings! Most of the photos were taken during the more active part of her set, which might leave the false impression it was more extroverted than it actually was.



Julie bends!



This was an extroverted bit.



Julie sings while Will wrangles the Strat.



Julie on the mic!



Here comes that Neil Young cover!



And so on!



And some final Will strumming.



And that's it! In fact as of this writing that's the last photo I've taken, so goodbye backlog. Hopefully I shall be able to replenish it at tonight's Carlangas show. Anyone have suggestions for Sunday or Monday? Otherwise you'll be subjected to yet more ancient photos, previously only seen on the Birdman website.

• Show reminder: As noted, Carlangas and The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol perform at the Clocktower Pub; The Krapskraps, Knives and Forks for Freedom, The Mudplots, Brain Damage and The Romantic Edge play an early show at Cafe Dekcuf; My Dad Vs Yours, Coco et co and In Antarctica are at Mavericks; Fuck The Facts celebrate 10 years of eardrum assault with a free show at Ou Quoi; The Jesse Green Band plays The Rainbow. Shannon Rose and The Thorns launches her new CD at the Elmdale, along with Lisa Poushinsky. Melwood Cutlery make the cut at Irene's. Pretty Little Death Machine, The Cowards and Mayday! Mayday! got worry at Zaphod's.