I’m a sucker for a good, depressing songstress.

I love Cat Power, but can’t tolerate her tantrums. The last time I saw her, she managed to get through maybe a tenth of her set before panicking and departing the stage. On Sunday night, I had the pleasure of seeing a downer of a chanteuse who can actually pull off a full set. Julie Doiron opened up for K Records founder Calvin Johnson (backed on drums by much-missed D.C.er Brett Lyman).

Doiron had an unfakeable, goofy-flighty disposition, rambling about food and travel and minor tidbits in between sets, accidentally surpassing her time limit. And she sang really beautiful songs. Someone should tell Chan Marshall that it really isn’t that hard.