Ohbijou, Casey Mecija - centre, front

Last Saturday, at the fourth installation of Daps All-Ages shows, we chatted with Ohbijou’s brainchild, Casey Mecija. Interview conducted by Melody Lau and Carmel Garvez.

You’re playing solo a lot lately. Is there a reason why you decided not to do Ohbijou for a while?

Well, it’s not really separate from Ohbijou. I write a lot of the songs that it’s hard to find time to do other stuff that’s not really related. I play songs that are from Ohbijou, also – just in a different formation. And some other songs that I don’t know what to do with yet.

So no solo record yet or anything?

No. Right now I’m playing with Jeff Debutte from The Acorn and making up some songs, and who knows what will come out of that.

Didn’t Ohbijou start from your own work?

Yeah! I started writing in my bedroom and then just accumulating a lot of people to play with.

Do you think the songs that you’re playing in these solo shows are going to end up as evolved Ohbijou songs?

Probably. Jennifer and Anissa are playing with me tonight. We’re playing Black Ice. So yeah, they’ll eventually become Ohbijou songs, probably.

You went to Ryerson? Radio Television Arts?

Yeah, I did!

There seems to be a lot of bands that have members that went to RTA from Ryerson.

Like the Born Ruffians! The Wooden Sky, Tokyo Police Club…

What is it about the program that makes people turn into musicians?

Heather, our bassist, went to Ryerson also and taught there actually. But I think when you’re trying to decide on a program when you’re going to university, I was kind of like, ‘Do I want to go into film…?’ I wanted to do something really arts-related, but you want to think of something that’s a bit more practical like, ‘How can I get a job? Maybe TV?’ I think the allure a long time ago was just do something where you can make a little bit of money.

Is it true that you worked at one point at Much Music?

I did. I worked at Much for four years. And recently stopped to tour and stuff. It was good.

How is it there? What did you do?

I did mostly production. It was good. It was a good community of music then than the one we have today. But it’s good to have a different perspective on music.

Did you stay in touch with any of the connections that you made there?

Yeah! Romeo who runs this youth centre actually works there.

The Toronto music scene is so close knit and interconnected. There’s a lot of connections between everyone, if you really think about it. What is it about Toronto, specifically, that sets it apart from others?

I think whenever you have a big city, or whenever you want to play music, it becomes a tight-knit community – just because everyone relies on everyone so much. I think the music community is so inter-dependent on support from different musicians. It’s a funny business to be in. Not even business, that’s not the right word. It’s like, your friends go to your shows. And you go to their shows. It just becomes a reciprocal relationship that you need to be supportive of in order for it to survive and thrive.

How did you meet the people from The Acorn? It feels like Ohbijou and The Acorn go really well together and you have worked on the split 12″.

Well, we met Rolf and we played shows with them for a while a long time ago. Almost five years ago. This was before they started taking over the world, but we just sort of formed a kinship. They’re really nice people. We always have a good party with them whenever we’re together.

You did that residency in Alberta, right?

In Banff, yeah.

How is Alberta different from Toronto, musically?

I dont’ know what the indie scene is like in Alberta, but they have an arts centre that facilitates some pretty amazing music. When we went there for the residency, it was just one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. And I was just speaking to my friend Basia – she went to the residency last year, the one that just past, and she had the exact same sort of experience.

Let’s talk about Bellwoods! You released the second compilation last summer; it was a big hit. Are there any more in the future? You don’t live in the [Bellwoods] house anymore, do you?

No, I don’t live in that house, but we’re hoping that the name is more than just a house. So, we’ll see. We’ve surpassed our $20 000 goal, and hopefully we can keep doing it. It just makes music a little bit more meaningful.

Any other projects coming up?

Not really. A lot of our members are doing their own thing. James, our drummer, just produced the Evening Hymns record, and that’s doing really well. Ryan, our keyboardist, is doing his Kite Hill project, and that album is coming out really soon. It’s beautiful. And Heather recorded Lisa Bozikovic. And Anissa plays in every band. And my little sister actually has a project called Canadian Wildlife, and she’s playing in February with Sylvie Smith’s country band.

Where?

At the Garrison! You guys should come.

There’s a lot of shows at the Garrison lately. Have you ever been yet?

I haven’t been, but I’m excited. I’ll probably go for my sister’s show.

You’re playing there, too!

Oh, yeah! Thank you for reminding me!

It’s a really good venue. So many venues are closing lately.

It’s good to have a Wavelength spot.

That’s also ending soon.

But it’s ending with some pretty awesome shows.

Any good Wavelength memories in the past ten years?

Wavelength memories? I don’t actually remember. There had just been so many shows… We played Wavelength three times. They’ve always been so supportive. They’re great. It’s too bad it’s ending.

Are you planning to attend any of the Wavelength 500 shows?

I really want to see the Constantines. And Rockets Red Glare. There’s a lot of reunions. Barcelona Pavilion. A lot of bands that I used to watch. I love the Constantines, so I’m excited to see that.

If you were a singing animal, what would you be?

I would be a loon!

Why?

I used to be a camp counsellor for this camp near Ottawa. Every morning, I would wake up to loons on the lake.

Aw.

Sorry, that was a stupid answer.

Well, we’ve never had a loon before.

What have people said?

They’ve said a lot of things.

Like a giant hamster?

Some of them get really creative. We got one that was a shark riding an elephant with laser-beam eyes.

Oh my god! Well, then, I’m a loon riding a shark with laser-beam eyes!

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For more Casey Mecija/Ohbijou,
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ohbijou

Casey Mecija will be opening for the Wilderness of Manitoba TONIGHT at the Garrison! Tickets will be at the door for $8.00! See you there!