Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

Hailing from Toronto ON, Ohbijou is a seven-piece outfit that uses an impressive array of instruments and delicate vocal harmonies to create beautifully lush pop songs.

Started as the solo project of singer/songwriter Casey Mecija, Ohbijou can be traced back to Casey’s bedroom where she began timidly showing her songs to little sister Jennifer Mecija. After a few solo shows Casey was joined by Jennifer on back up vocals, organ and violin. Upon moving to Toronto, the Mecija sisters enlisted the help of Heather Kirby (bass/banjo), Ryan Carley (piano/keyboards), James Bunton (drums/trumpet), Anissa Hart (cello) and Andrew Kinoshita (mandolin/guitar) to complete their delicate ensemble. Since its inception Ohbijou has become the mouth from which Casey relays her whimsical stories of romance, heartbreak and living in the big city.

“After quietly assembling a mild-mannered army of followers with a penchant for prettiness, Brantford-bred chamber pop softies Ohbijou emerge with a gorgeously restrained set of songs so delicate, you want to cradle them in your palm like baby chicks. Goes down like lemonade on the hottest summer day, with no cloying aftertaste of artificial sweetness."

In September 2006, Ohbijou independently released their debut album Swift Feet For Troubling Times to rave reviews. The album was poised by critics as being “powerful” and “hearttugging.” Since forming as a band Ohbijou has been lucky to have shared the stage with Joanna Newsom, Sarah Harmer, Bright Eyes, Final Fantasy, The Sadies, The Dears and Julie Doiron. Some other highlights have included playing the Virgin Music Festival, being nominated for a 2007 Galaxie Rising Stars award and guest vocaling on Final Fantasy’s acclaimed album, He Poos Clouds.