Elementary, my dear Watsons

It's a good thing I had a chance to see a few shows a couple of weeks ago, because I've been busy of late with provincial elections and throne speeches and other thrilling (cough) stuff at work. Magnolia Electric Co. brought their mournful roots rock to town, and with them came The Watson Twins and matching sibling harmonies. They praised the weather and sang real pretty.

Those twins, Chandra and Leigh (Leigh and Chandra?).



Guitarist J. Soda.



Drummer Russ.



Contemplative bass-playing from someone who may or may not be Aram Arslanian or Matt Fitzell.






Singalong action!



Some harmonica too.



The whole lot!



The whole psychedelic lot!



And an assist on pedal steel from the Magnolia Electric Co.'s pedal steel player.



A very sweet-sounding bunch.

• Show reminder: Do Make Say Think and Jetplanes of Abraham perform at Mavericks. Souljazz Orchestra play the Glebe Community Centre.

Twice as good

The run-up to the weekend boats a fabulous trio of shows, starting with Thursday's performance at Zaphod's by The Magnolia Electric Company and The Watson Twins. Like most people I first heard of the twins when they performed with Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley on Rabbit Fur Coat. I'm a sucker for a good female vocalist and Americana, so the twin's performance naturally appealed to me a great deal.

Just don't ask me which one's Chandra and which one's Leigh.



I saw Magnolia Electric Company when Jason Molina and Co. performed at Barrymore's. It was nice to see them at a smaller venue. They aren't a band I could listen to for hours on end, but they do a good country rock rave-up.



They covered Hank William's You Win Again, pulled Northstar Blues from way out of their back catalogue and had Russ and Jay of the Watsons' band up to help out on bass and guitar.

• Show reminder: Bastardator, Hard Charger and Take One For The Team perform at A&A Speedshop; The Toasters, The Flatliners, The Peacocks and The St. Alvia Cartel perform at Babylon; Eric's Trip, Rick White Album, Moonsocket and Blue Heeler play Barrymore's; Eugene and the Eugenics, Doll and Knives for Kids rock Cafe Dekcuf; Team Robespierre, DD/MM/YYYY and Fucked Corpse play at 59 Argyle.