If Suzie Ungerleider sounds happier than usual on her latest album, it's because she is.

Performing under the name Oh Susanna, the Toronto-based singer-songwriter's new self-titled album is also her most upbeat. There are still some touches of the alt-country that first earned her fans, but her new relationship has brought out a newfound sense of carefree joy.

"It's hard to be earnest all the time and it doesn't capture my personality," she says. "I have a tendency to be a little contrary and I want to break away from the persona that I helped create: the lone singer-songwriter singing melancholy dark songs. That was true to what I was, or what I am in some ways, but it's always fun to do something that's breaking that a little bit."

Her disc was recorded with a full band, including former Winnipegger Luke Doucet, and takes its cues from classic rock, infused with her sense of melody and romantic inclinations.

"I was thinking about my old heroes Mick Jagger and Pat Benatar -- they inspired me as rock god and goddess -- and I thought it would be fun to do that even if it's tongue in cheek, just something not so precious."

When the 34-year-old started writing music in the mid '90s she was trying to fashion herself after the twangy soulfulness of Hank Williams but now she has come into her own and realized she should just follow her own path, even if she's unsure where it will lead her.

"It's sort of enjoyable and easier to have some sort of model to fashion yourself after. Now I feel more vague because I'm not clear about what I look like or what I want to look like," she admits.

Oh Susanna and her bandplay the Pyramid Cabaret Wedneday.

Jim Bryson and Selena Ryder open the show. Admission is $12.