Noise Pop Festival 2026 presents:
Julie Doiron
Julie Doiron is back with I Thought Of You, her first solo record since 2012’s So Many Days. Every bit an instant classic as only she can masterfully create, Julie Doiron emanates a radiative force with nothing more than her guitar and her unmistakably indomitable voice. Julie Doiron is a maker of songs and a teller of stories, wielding her instruments like a craftsperson would their tools.
In her time away from the solo spotlight she has remained entwined with music, albeit in consortions with others; releasing a critically acclaimed record with members of Cancer Bats and Eamon McGrath under the name Julie and The Wrong Guys, reworking some of her previous work in Spanish for Spanish label Acuarela and returning to her otherworldly collaboration with Mount Eerie for Lost Wisdom pt 2, to name but a few. These are additions to Julie’s long and storied history of collaboration, working with luminaries like Gord Downie, Herman Dune, a split record with Okkervil River, and the unforgettable and iconic Eric’s Trip, the first Canadian band ever signed to legendary American record label Sub Pop.
Ever the bountiful songwriter, Julie had been writing songs in the 9 years since her last solo record, keeping them close and waiting for it to feel right to head back into a studio. When the time came, she enlisted close and trusted friends to collaborate in the process: the uber-prolific and multi-talented Daniel Romano, superstar drummer Ian Romano, and Quebecois songwriter Dany Placard on bass. Together the quartet retreated to a cabin in the woods to record Julie’s first solo offering in 9 years. The resulting album, I Thought Of You, is every bit a return, as Julie Doiron finds her way back with new songs to enthrall our hearts, while simultaneously finding her way back to herself. We live for these moments, when our dearest friends find their way back to the places they love, and we once again hear their voices rise back into our lives.
It’s Julie’s voice that rises to meet us from the get-go. Album opener You Gave Me The Key welcomes us in, a quintessential Julie Doiron song where she announces with a joyful resignation here I am, starting over again. Title track I Thought Of You is a rolling twang-tinged Doiron jam, an instant classic. As we move towards the tail end of the record we share in Darkness To Light a soulful ballad ruminating on moving our way out of dark days and into lighter shades. On Back To The Water Julie sings over gently plucked strings I’ve been here before as she has, and so have we, and we are once again here together.
I Thought Of You is a return of the breath and fire of Julie Doiron and we are lucky to find ourselves back in the embrace of her tender and powerful forces.
Yea-Ming
Yea-Ming, the Oakland-based singer-songwriter is known for her heart-tugging lyrics, catchy melodies and dreamy notions. Her low, dusky tones recall ‘60s German singer Nico, although she was most inspired as a young adult by pop punk and indie bands like Mr. T. Experience, The Queers and Dressy Bessy. “Bands like that,” she says, “made me realize the power of a simple song.”
Solo or backed by a band, Yea-Ming can be heard as Yea-Ming and The Rumours, and now is the front woman for the super group, RYLI. Over her career, she has shared a bill with Shonen Knife, Ty Segall, Osees, Calvin Johnson, Paul Collins, The Dodos, Hunx and His Punx, The Mantles and Bart Davenport.
In 2024, The Rumours frontwoman masterfully curated her self-proclaimed “pop record”, weaving melancholy narratives with catchy hooks in a sound that is more full on indie pop leaning than anything the Rumours have done before. The fuller-sounding production is heavily influenced by 90’s underground college radio favorites. “I Can’t Have It All” marks the band’s continued evolution past their early days as an outlet for Chen’s sparse and intimate songs.
Produced by Chen, the album was mostly recorded and sculpted in her home studio after basic tracks were recorded with Meric Long (The Dodos) at Tiny Telephone Studios and Mike Walti at Wyldwood Studios. As usual, the record is performed by Yea-Ming with the help of long-time Rumours collaborators Eóin Galvin on lead guitar, lap steel and backing vocals and Sonia Hayden on drums and percussion on several of the tracks. New Rumours members Jen Weisberg (Hits) and Luke Robbins (RE Seraphin/Latitude) also make their debut and appear on bass and drums throughout the record.
Marika Christine
Marika Christine is inspired by the power of tenderness. Her music creates a whimsical atmosphere to navigate the highs and lows of life. Sonic influences include Laurel Canyon folk, indie pop, and gentle psychedelic rock. She has been active in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for eight years. She’s been featured on tracks by Mild Universe, Asha Wells, and Butterman. Her first full-length album, Soft Like an Apricot, was released in 2023 and she plans to share new music in 2025.
DOORS at 7:00PM | MUSIC at 8:00 PM