Doiron goes back to basics
SASKATOON (CUP) — Since
her early days playing in the folkrock
outfit Eric's Trip, Julie Doiron
has been putting out record after
record of consistently hot tracks.
Perhaps a main ingredient in her recipe for musical success has been her willingness to collaborate with other musicians. Looking around the indie scene in Canada and abroad, Doiron's name pops up all over the map; she's played and recorded with a motley set of artists, including Herman Düne, Mount Eerie, Shotgun & Jaybird and Gord Downie.
She has also shared success with the university crowd. I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day — her last solo effort — was the top album of the year on Canadian campus radio for 2009, according to the online music magazine, CHARTattack.
With all the loud, idiosyncratic projects Doiron has worked on in the past, it seems oddly natural for her to go back-to-the-basics and turn to her current project, Daniel, Fred & Julie, a stripped-down, folksy affair with three-part harmonies sung over traditional ballads.
Daniel, Fred & Julie has a simple sound, which comes from a laid-back approach to writing and recording.
“I've recorded very quickly before,” said Doiron, “But this was a beautiful week. It was nice and relaxed. I'd make dinner for my kids and then (the band) would come and get me and we'd hear the songs. We'd try it once or twice and then we'd record it.”
Recorded in a campfire sing-along style, the indie super-group comprising of Daniel Romano of Attack in Black, Fred Squire of Calm Down It's Monday, and Doiron, huddled around a single microphone in an open garage and let the tape roll. The trio's live show will only use one or two extra pieces of equipment.
“It's a little different,” explained Doiron. “[There are] just two acoustic guitars, but we each have our own microphones. Theoretically, we could do it around one mic — maybe we should. But I like to sing right on the mic, because I like to close my eyes when I sing.”
Despite the stripped down approach with Daniel, Fred & Julie, Doiron hasn't slowed down at all. Shortly after her tour with this band, she will re-join Gord Downie's backing band, The Country of Miracles, on another cross-country tour.
“I've kind of been touring nonstop since March 2009. It's been a really long year and a half. (Right now) is the longest time I've had off. The last two weeks have been great.”
Asked if the somber tone of Daniel, Fred & Julie is a result of life on the road, Doiron hesitated. “Well, The Runner might,” she said, “But no, most of the songs don't. No, I love being on the road. I mean, I miss the kids a lot, but I really love touring ... A lot of the songs are more traditional and murder ballads, but Dan chooses most of the subject matter. You know, sometimes you write those (sad) kinds of songs — that's my job. I can't let it get to me. In the past, when I was a little sad it was hard, but it's an opportunity to perform. It doesn't really make me feel bad.”
Perhaps a main ingredient in her recipe for musical success has been her willingness to collaborate with other musicians. Looking around the indie scene in Canada and abroad, Doiron's name pops up all over the map; she's played and recorded with a motley set of artists, including Herman Düne, Mount Eerie, Shotgun & Jaybird and Gord Downie.
She has also shared success with the university crowd. I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day — her last solo effort — was the top album of the year on Canadian campus radio for 2009, according to the online music magazine, CHARTattack.
With all the loud, idiosyncratic projects Doiron has worked on in the past, it seems oddly natural for her to go back-to-the-basics and turn to her current project, Daniel, Fred & Julie, a stripped-down, folksy affair with three-part harmonies sung over traditional ballads.
Daniel, Fred & Julie has a simple sound, which comes from a laid-back approach to writing and recording.
“I've recorded very quickly before,” said Doiron, “But this was a beautiful week. It was nice and relaxed. I'd make dinner for my kids and then (the band) would come and get me and we'd hear the songs. We'd try it once or twice and then we'd record it.”
Recorded in a campfire sing-along style, the indie super-group comprising of Daniel Romano of Attack in Black, Fred Squire of Calm Down It's Monday, and Doiron, huddled around a single microphone in an open garage and let the tape roll. The trio's live show will only use one or two extra pieces of equipment.
“It's a little different,” explained Doiron. “[There are] just two acoustic guitars, but we each have our own microphones. Theoretically, we could do it around one mic — maybe we should. But I like to sing right on the mic, because I like to close my eyes when I sing.”
Despite the stripped down approach with Daniel, Fred & Julie, Doiron hasn't slowed down at all. Shortly after her tour with this band, she will re-join Gord Downie's backing band, The Country of Miracles, on another cross-country tour.
“I've kind of been touring nonstop since March 2009. It's been a really long year and a half. (Right now) is the longest time I've had off. The last two weeks have been great.”
Asked if the somber tone of Daniel, Fred & Julie is a result of life on the road, Doiron hesitated. “Well, The Runner might,” she said, “But no, most of the songs don't. No, I love being on the road. I mean, I miss the kids a lot, but I really love touring ... A lot of the songs are more traditional and murder ballads, but Dan chooses most of the subject matter. You know, sometimes you write those (sad) kinds of songs — that's my job. I can't let it get to me. In the past, when I was a little sad it was hard, but it's an opportunity to perform. It doesn't really make me feel bad.”
