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{{Short description|Canadian indie pop band}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Ohbjiou
| name = Ohbjiou
Line 7: Line 8:
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]
| origin = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| genre = [[Indie (music)|Indie]], [[pop music|pop]], [[folk music|folk]]
| genre = [[Indie (music)|Indie]], [[pop music|pop]], [[folk music|folk]]
| years_active = {{Start date|2004}}–{{Start date|2013}}
| years_active = {{Start date|2004}}–{{End date|2013}}
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts = We're Marching On..., Alight, [[Gentleman Reg]], [[The Wooden Sky]], [[The Acorn]], [[The Rural Alberta Advantage]], [[Forest City Lovers]], [[Timber Timbre]], [[Bruce Peninsula (band)|Bruce Peninsula]], [[Evening Hymns]]
| associated_acts = [[We're Marching On...]], Alight, [[Gentleman Reg]], [[The Wooden Sky]], [[The Acorn (band)|The Acorn]], [[The Rural Alberta Advantage]], [[Forest City Lovers]], [[Timber Timbre]], [[Bruce Peninsula (band)|Bruce Peninsula]], [[Evening Hymns]]
| website = {{URL|ohbijou.com}}
| website = {{URL|ohbijou.com}}
| current_members = Casey Mecija, Jennifer Mecija, Heather Kirby, James Bunton, Anissa Hart, Ryan Carley, Andrew Kinoshita
| current_members = [[Casey Mecija]], Jennifer Mecija, Heather Kirby, James Bunton, Anissa Hart, Ryan Carley, Andrew Kinoshita
| past_members =
| past_members =
| notable_instruments =
}}
}}


'''Ohbijou''' was a Canadian [[indie pop]] band that formed in 2004 in [[Toronto]].
'''Ohbijou''' was a Canadian [[indie pop]] band that was based in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]. The music of Ohbijou draws on [[pop music|pop]], [[folk music|folk]] and [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] influences.


==Biography==
==History==
Ohbijou began as the solo project of [[Brantford, Ontario|Brantford]] singer-songwriter Casey Mecija (born 1981).<ref name=Sayej>Sayej, Nadja. "Underground rock", ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', 2007-01-06, p. M2.</ref> (She also works as a production assistant at [[MuchMusic]].)<ref name=Lederman>Lederman, Marsha. "Rocky mountain high", ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', 2008-03-27, p. R2.</ref> Through the process of songwriting and composition, Casey discovered a need for the musical support of her sister Jennifer Mecija (born 1985),<ref name=Sayej /> whom Casey invited to assist with her early performances. The Mecija sisters later moved to Toronto to attend [[Ryerson University]] and the [[Ontario College of Art and Design]], respectively - Mecija soon saw what kinds of music existed in Toronto, and began to seriously consider playing her own music for a real audience.<ref name=Exclaim>[http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=135&csid2=778&fid1=40125 Ohbijou - August 2009 Interview]</ref>
Ohbijou began as the solo project of [[Brantford]] singer-songwriter [[Casey Mecija]].<ref name=Sayej>Sayej, Nadja. "Underground rock", ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', 2007-01-06, p. M2.</ref> (She also works as a production assistant at [[MuchMusic]].)<ref name=Lederman>Lederman, Marsha. "Rocky mountain high", ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', 2008-03-27, p. R2.</ref> Casey began composing her own songs, taking inspiration from Canadian songwriter [[Julie Doiron]]. She invited her sister Jennifer Mecija,<ref name=Sayej /> to assist with her early performances. The Mecija sisters later moved to Toronto to attend [[Ryerson University]] and the [[Ontario College of Art and Design]], respectively.


[[File:Ohbijou.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Casey Mecija performing at the [[Calgary]] Folk Festival in 2010]]In Toronto, the band expanded to include Heather Kirby (bass, banjo), James Bunton (drums, trumpet), Anissa Hart (cello), Ryan Carley (piano, synth, glockenspiel, electric piano, harpsichord), and Andrew Kinoshita (mandolin).<ref>"[http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/localplayer-story.cfm?content=159361 Casey Mecija]", ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]''. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.</ref> In the context of Ohbijou, Casey remains as lead vocalist, though also plays guitar, piano and ukulele. Jennifer continues to add vocal layering, moreover, her instrumental contributions to Ohbijou include violin, harmochord, glockenspiel, organ and melodica.<ref>Langlois, Jill.[http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=135&csid2=778&fid1=40125 "Community Living"], ''[[Exclaim!]]'', August 2009.</ref>
[[File:Ohbijou.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Casey Mecija performing at the [[Calgary]] Folk Festival in 2010]]
In 2004, the sisters joined with Heather Kirby (bass, banjo), James Bunton (drums, trumpet), Anissa Hart (cello), Ryan Carley (piano, synth, glockenspiel, electric piano, harpsichord), and Andrew Kinoshita (mandolin) to form the band Ohbijou.<ref>"[http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/localplayer-story.cfm?content=159361 Casey Mecija] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220230734/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/localplayer-story.cfm?content=159361 |date=2014-02-20 }}", ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]''. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.</ref> In the context of Ohbijou, Casey remains as lead vocalist, though also plays guitar, piano and ukulele. Jennifer continues to add vocal layering, moreover, her instrumental contributions to Ohbijou include violin, harmochord, glockenspiel, organ and melodica.<ref>Langlois, Jill.[https://archive.today/20120713091439/http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=135&csid2=778&fid1=40125 "Community Living"], ''[[Exclaim!]]'', August 2009.</ref>


The music of Ohbijou, which draws on [[pop music|pop]], [[folk music|folk]] and [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] influences, has been classified in the [[indie pop]] genre. Casey has cited the music of Canadian songwriter [[Julie Doiron]] as an inspiration. The music has been described as being similar to [[Bic Runga]] and [[Mazzy Star]],<ref>Sayani, Fateema. "'Anything goes' for Temporao and new low", ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]'', 2005-07-21, p. E3.</ref> and called "hushed, heart-tugging music".<ref name=Rayner>Rayner, Ben. "Fans wake up to dreamy pop: Hometown buzz pushes Toronto septet Ohbijou into bigger venues", ''[[Toronto Star]]'', 2007-09-09, p. E10.</ref>
The music of Ohbijou has been described as being similar to [[Bic Runga]] and [[Mazzy Star]],<ref>Sayani, Fateema. "'Anything goes' for Temporao and new low", ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]'', 2005-07-21, p. E3.</ref> and called "hushed, heart-tugging music".<ref name=Rayner>Rayner, Ben. "Fans wake up to dreamy pop: Hometown buzz pushes Toronto septet Ohbijou into bigger venues", ''[[Toronto Star]]'', 2007-09-09, p. E10.</ref>


[[File:AnissaHart.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Anissa Hart performing at the [[Calgary]] Folk Festival in 2010]]
[[File:AnissaHart.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Anissa Hart performing at the [[Calgary]] Folk Festival in 2010]]Since the release of their debut album ''Swift Feet for Troubling Times'' in 2006, Ohbijou have played festivals across Canada,<ref name=Rayner /> including the [[Osheaga Festival]] in [[Montreal]] and the [[Hillside Festival]] in [[Guelph]]. They played the opening set for the [[Virgin Festival]] in Toronto, and were nominated for the 2007 Galaxie Rising Stars Award of the CBC,<ref>Bliss, Karen (Spring 2008). ''Words & Music'', '''15''' (1): 8.</ref> competing with artists such as [[IllScarlett]], [[Owen Pallett|Final Fantasy]] and [[Emily Haines]] of [[Metric (band)|Metric]]. The band were among the organizers of a 2007 compilation CD, ''[[Friends in Bellwoods]]'' - based out of Mecija's own Bellwoods Ave. Toronto home and practice space for Ohbijou and their friends - as a benefit for Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank.<ref name=Exclaim /><ref>Liss, Sarah. "[http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=157047&archive=26,19,2007 Parkside pop: Ohbijou makes new friends in Bellwoods]", ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]'', 2007-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.</ref> In 2008 they were chosen as one of three bands for the [[Banff Centre]]'s first Indie Band Residency, where they had the opportunity to spend two weeks working with some top producers and recording engineers.<ref name=Lederman /><ref name=Exclaim />
Ohbijou released their debut album, ''Swift Feet for Troubling Times'', in 2006. They played festivals across Canada,<ref name=Rayner /> including the [[Osheaga Festival]] in [[Montreal]] and the [[Hillside Festival]] in [[Guelph]]. They played the opening set for the [[Virgin Festival]] in Toronto, and were nominated for the 2007 Galaxie Rising Stars Award of the CBC,<ref>Bliss, Karen (Spring 2008). ''Words & Music'', '''15''' (1): 8.</ref> competing with [[IllScarlett]], [[Owen Pallett|Final Fantasy]] and [[Emily Haines]] of [[Metric (band)|Metric]]. The band were among the organizers of a 2007 compilation CD, ''[[Friends in Bellwoods]]'' &mdash; based out of Mecija's Bellwoods Ave. Toronto home and practice space for Ohbijou and their friends &mdash; as a benefit for Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank.<ref>Liss, Sarah. "[http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=157047&archive=26,19,2007 Parkside pop: Ohbijou makes new friends in Bellwoods] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605041653/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=157047&archive=26,19,2007 |date=2011-06-05 }}", ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]'', 2007-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.</ref> In 2008, they were chosen as one of three bands for the [[Banff Centre]]'s first Indie Band Residency, where they had the opportunity to spend two weeks working with producers and recording engineers.<ref name=Lederman /><


Their music has been playlisted on [[CBC Radio 3]]. Their song "St. Francis" peaked at No.&nbsp;4 on the network's weekly charts in December 2006,<ref>[http://radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2006/12/The-R3-30Week-Ending-December-4th-2006 CBC3 weekly charts]</ref> and ranked as the No.&nbsp;34 song on the network's year-end singles chart.<ref>[http://radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2006/12/Top-94-Tracks-of-2006 CBC3 2006 charts]</ref> More recently, Ohbijou was included in the April 5, 2008 broadcast of [[CBC Radio]]'s ''[[The Vinyl Cafe]]'' and chosen as [[Aux.tv]]'s X3 Artist of the month for August 2009, in partnership with [[CBC Radio 3]] and ''[[Exclaim!]]''. As well, Casey Mecija was named one of ''[[Chatelaine (magazine)|Chatelaine]]'''s 80 Women to Watch for 2008.<ref>Dean, Flannery; Griffith-Greene, Megan; Howard, Cori; et al. (May 2008). "Chatelaine's 80 amazing Canadian women to watch", ''[[Chatelaine (magazine)|Chatelaine]]'', '''81''' (5): 253–273.</ref>
Their music has been playlisted on [[CBC Radio 3]]. Their song "St. Francis" peaked at No.&nbsp;4 on the network's weekly charts in December 2006,<ref>[http://radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2006/12/The-R3-30Week-Ending-December-4th-2006 CBC3 weekly charts]{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and ranked as the No.&nbsp;34 song on the network's year-end singles chart.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070921155341/http://radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2006/12/Top-94-Tracks-of-2006 CBC3 2006 charts]</ref> Ohbijou was included in the April 5, 2008 broadcast of [[CBC Radio]]'s ''[[The Vinyl Cafe]]'' and chosen as [[Aux.tv]]'s X3 Artist of the month for August 2009, in partnership with [[CBC Radio 3]] and ''[[Exclaim!]]''. As well, Casey Mecija was named one of ''[[Chatelaine (magazine)|Chatelaine]]''{{'}}s 80 Women to Watch for 2008.<ref>Dean, Flannery; Griffith-Greene, Megan; Howard, Cori; et al. (May 2008). "Chatelaine's 80 amazing Canadian women to watch", ''[[Chatelaine (magazine)|Chatelaine]]'', 81 (5): 253–273.</ref>


Ohbijou is nationally distributed through [[Outside Music]]. The band released their second album, ''[[Beacons (album)|Beacons]]'' in 2009.<ref name=Exclaim /><ref>[http://www.zunior.com/product_info.php?products_id=2531 Beacons album information]</ref>
Ohbijou is nationally distributed through [[Outside Music]]. The band released their second album, ''[[Beacons (album)|Beacons]]'' in 2009.


Casey Mecija recently covered [[The Beatles]] "Dear Prudence" for [[American Laundromat Records]] charity CD "Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies" which was released worldwide on May 18, 2010. During this year the band also visited China with local promoters [[Split Works]].
Casey Mecija covered [[The Beatles]]' "Dear Prudence" for [[American Laundromat Records]] charity CD ''Sing Me To Sleep — Indie Lullabies'', which was released worldwide on May 18, 2010. During this year the band also visited China with local promoters [[Split Works]].


The album ''Metal Meets'' appeared on the !earshot Campus and Community National Top 50 Albums chart in January, 2012.<ref>[http://www.earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=101&dWeekOfID=2012-01-03 "The National Top 50 For the Week Ending: Tuesday, January 3, 2012"]. ''!earshot''.</ref>
The band announced they would be going on an indefinite hiatus after their farewell show on September 7, 2013.<ref>http://ohbijouband.tumblr.com/post/55878931055/farewell</ref>

The band announced, they would go on an indefinite hiatus after their farewell show on September 7, 2013. Casey Mecija has continued to work on music, arts and media projects, including hosting the documentary series ''[[The Doc Project]]'' on [[CBC Radio One]].<ref name=fall>[http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/cbc-radio-one-unveils-fall-lineup/1003787540/?&er=NA "CBC Radio One Unveils Fall Lineup"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032512/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/cbc-radio-one-unveils-fall-lineup/1003787540/?&er=NA |date=2015-11-17 }}. ''Broadcaster'', September 3, 2015.</ref>


==Members==
==Members==
*Casey Mecija – vocals, guitar, ukulele, piano
*[[Casey Mecija]] – vocals, guitar, ukulele, piano
*Jennifer Mecija – violin, harmochord, Glockenspiel, melodica, vocals
*Jennifer Mecija – violin, harmochord, Glockenspiel, melodica, vocals
*Heather Kirby – bass, banjo
*Heather Kirby – bass, banjo
Line 56: Line 60:


===Splits===
===Splits===
* ''[[The Acorn]] + Ohbijou - 12" EP'' (2008)
* ''[[The Acorn (band)|The Acorn]] + Ohbijou - 12" EP'' (2008)


===Contributions===
===Contributions===
Line 68: Line 72:
==External links==
==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.ohbijou.com/}}
*{{Official website|http://www.ohbijou.com/}}
*{{myspace|ohbijou}}
*{{allmusic|id=p866636}}
*{{allmusic|id=p866636}}
*[http://exclaim.ca/Artists/ohbijou Ohbijou] at [[Exclaim!]]
*[http://exclaim.ca/Artists/ohbijou Ohbijou] at [[Exclaim!]]


{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ohbijou}}

[[Category:Musical groups established in 2004]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2004]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Toronto]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Toronto]]
[[Category:Canadian indie pop groups]]
[[Category:Canadian indie pop groups]]
[[Category:Bella Union artists]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Ontario]]

Latest revision as of 13:53, 4 June 2024

Ohbjiou
Ohbijou performing in 2007 in London, Ontario.
Ohbijou performing in 2007 in London, Ontario.
Background information
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresIndie, pop, folk
Years active2004 (2004)–2013 (2013)
MembersCasey Mecija, Jennifer Mecija, Heather Kirby, James Bunton, Anissa Hart, Ryan Carley, Andrew Kinoshita
Websiteohbijou.com

Ohbijou was a Canadian indie pop band that was based in Toronto, Ontario. The music of Ohbijou draws on pop, folk and bluegrass influences.

History

[edit]

Ohbijou began as the solo project of Brantford singer-songwriter Casey Mecija.[1] (She also works as a production assistant at MuchMusic.)[2] Casey began composing her own songs, taking inspiration from Canadian songwriter Julie Doiron. She invited her sister Jennifer Mecija,[1] to assist with her early performances. The Mecija sisters later moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University and the Ontario College of Art and Design, respectively.

Casey Mecija performing at the Calgary Folk Festival in 2010

In 2004, the sisters joined with Heather Kirby (bass, banjo), James Bunton (drums, trumpet), Anissa Hart (cello), Ryan Carley (piano, synth, glockenspiel, electric piano, harpsichord), and Andrew Kinoshita (mandolin) to form the band Ohbijou.[3] In the context of Ohbijou, Casey remains as lead vocalist, though also plays guitar, piano and ukulele. Jennifer continues to add vocal layering, moreover, her instrumental contributions to Ohbijou include violin, harmochord, glockenspiel, organ and melodica.[4]

The music of Ohbijou has been described as being similar to Bic Runga and Mazzy Star,[5] and called "hushed, heart-tugging music".[6]

Anissa Hart performing at the Calgary Folk Festival in 2010

Ohbijou released their debut album, Swift Feet for Troubling Times, in 2006. They played festivals across Canada,[6] including the Osheaga Festival in Montreal and the Hillside Festival in Guelph. They played the opening set for the Virgin Festival in Toronto, and were nominated for the 2007 Galaxie Rising Stars Award of the CBC,[7] competing with IllScarlett, Final Fantasy and Emily Haines of Metric. The band were among the organizers of a 2007 compilation CD, Friends in Bellwoods — based out of Mecija's Bellwoods Ave. Toronto home and practice space for Ohbijou and their friends — as a benefit for Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank.[8] In 2008, they were chosen as one of three bands for the Banff Centre's first Indie Band Residency, where they had the opportunity to spend two weeks working with producers and recording engineers.[2]<

Their music has been playlisted on CBC Radio 3. Their song "St. Francis" peaked at No. 4 on the network's weekly charts in December 2006,[9] and ranked as the No. 34 song on the network's year-end singles chart.[10] Ohbijou was included in the April 5, 2008 broadcast of CBC Radio's The Vinyl Cafe and chosen as Aux.tv's X3 Artist of the month for August 2009, in partnership with CBC Radio 3 and Exclaim!. As well, Casey Mecija was named one of Chatelaine's 80 Women to Watch for 2008.[11]

Ohbijou is nationally distributed through Outside Music. The band released their second album, Beacons in 2009.

Casey Mecija covered The Beatles' "Dear Prudence" for American Laundromat Records charity CD Sing Me To Sleep — Indie Lullabies, which was released worldwide on May 18, 2010. During this year the band also visited China with local promoters Split Works.

The album Metal Meets appeared on the !earshot Campus and Community National Top 50 Albums chart in January, 2012.[12]

The band announced, they would go on an indefinite hiatus after their farewell show on September 7, 2013. Casey Mecija has continued to work on music, arts and media projects, including hosting the documentary series The Doc Project on CBC Radio One.[13]

Members

[edit]
  • Casey Mecija – vocals, guitar, ukulele, piano
  • Jennifer Mecija – violin, harmochord, Glockenspiel, melodica, vocals
  • Heather Kirby – bass, banjo
  • James Bunton – drums, trumpet
  • Anissa Hart – cello
  • Ryan Carley – piano, synth, Glockenspiel, electric piano, harpsichord

Past members

[edit]
  • Andrew Kinoshita – mandolin, guitar

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]

Splits

[edit]

Contributions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Sayej, Nadja. "Underground rock", The Globe and Mail, 2007-01-06, p. M2.
  2. ^ a b Lederman, Marsha. "Rocky mountain high", The Globe and Mail, 2008-03-27, p. R2.
  3. ^ "Casey Mecija Archived 2014-02-20 at the Wayback Machine", Now. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.
  4. ^ Langlois, Jill."Community Living", Exclaim!, August 2009.
  5. ^ Sayani, Fateema. "'Anything goes' for Temporao and new low", Ottawa Citizen, 2005-07-21, p. E3.
  6. ^ a b Rayner, Ben. "Fans wake up to dreamy pop: Hometown buzz pushes Toronto septet Ohbijou into bigger venues", Toronto Star, 2007-09-09, p. E10.
  7. ^ Bliss, Karen (Spring 2008). Words & Music, 15 (1): 8.
  8. ^ Liss, Sarah. "Parkside pop: Ohbijou makes new friends in Bellwoods Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine", Now, 2007-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.
  9. ^ CBC3 weekly charts[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ CBC3 2006 charts
  11. ^ Dean, Flannery; Griffith-Greene, Megan; Howard, Cori; et al. (May 2008). "Chatelaine's 80 amazing Canadian women to watch", Chatelaine, 81 (5): 253–273.
  12. ^ "The National Top 50 For the Week Ending: Tuesday, January 3, 2012". !earshot.
  13. ^ "CBC Radio One Unveils Fall Lineup" Archived 2015-11-17 at the Wayback Machine. Broadcaster, September 3, 2015.
[edit]
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