I am sick. I am desperately sick. I alternate between being sweatily hot and shiveringly cold. I lost my sense of taste and smell a long time ago. I have developed a permanent squint as I attempt to focus on the computer screen with reddened, burning eyes. All I want to do is go to fucking bed, but my numerous attempts to gain entry into the land of nod have been woefully unsuccessful. I am one pissed off dude right now.'œMisty Eyes'? by Toronto-via-Brantford combo Ohbijou comes wafting out of my speakers. Soon the swirling strings and the dulcet lilt of vocalist Casey Mecija soothes my jangled nerves, and I am as warmly comforted as I would be if I had downed a big steaming cup of ginger tea. What follows is a wee interview with the owner of the voice that had charmed me so, the super-nice Casey Mecija.

YOU LIVE IN TORONTO NOW, BUT YOU USED TO LIVE IN BRANTFORD, ON. WHAT DOES THE HOMETOWN OF WAYNE GRETZKY OFFER IN TERMS OF MUSICAL INSPIRATION?
Well really, Brantford is a town where if you're a teenager and you want to go on a trip to a "big" city you'd probably take the bus to Hamilton. It's a relatively small place to live and I think from that isolation stems a sense of community and an opportunity to be creative. There are less distractions. Less music/art shows so you have to create your own. The town is small but the dreams are big and there are good people that come from that town - people like Tim Ford, Chris George and Josh Bean (of the Ford Plant) - who epitomize how vital preserving the arts have been for Brantford. People are creating amazing things there. Great bands, great art and great spirits.

IT IS A GOOD TIME TO BE A MUSIC FAN IN TORONTO - THERE ARE A TON OF AWESOME BANDS AROUND RIGHT NOW. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST PRO OF HAVING SUCH A CROWDED MUSIC SCENE? WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CON?
The biggest pro would be variety. There are so many opportunities to be introduced to bands you might not otherwise see if you were from a small town. Also the ability to see a band you already love without having to get in a car and drive an hour is pretty convenient. The biggest con would be saturation. Sometimes there's just too much music and too many shows that they seem to lose their meaning. The anticipation isn't there...we're just so spoiled with music that it takes so much for people to get excited about it. Don't get me wrong though, being from and playing music in Toronto has been a blessing. There are so many positive people here that want to just play and create communities where their music can thrive.

TELL US SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE NEW EP.
We put together some songs to hand out at Pop Montreal and I guess it has become our new EP. We put out something different to begin with and then decided maybe this one zips and zings, was something we liked more. We don't really know if it's our official ep. We just like making cover art so we keep putting out things with new covers. I know that seems stupid but who doesn't like cutting and pasting. Now I'm babbling. Here's what you need to know. It was recorded by Heather Kirby, Ryan Carley and Jamie Bunton (who are in the band) and was mastered by the resident "nice most generous guy" Leon Taheny. Gentleman Reg sings on a song and we rock out so hard that you might lose your shit. Not really, but I hear quiet is the new loud. Oui ? Non ? Non.

DO YOU WRITE ALL THE SONGS? IF YES, WHAT IS IT ABOUT WRITING SONGS THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO KEEP WRITING?
Hmmmm, well I would say I write the lyrics and the melodies first and then everyone else in the band helps arrange and performs them. It is very much a co-operative/ co-dependent thing. Everyone and every part is so important. We get along so well that it is so exciting to see what ideas brew up in our practices. I love the people in this band and they are so talented; they make me want to keep writing because if I don't other bands will steal them from me. No lie.

THE SONG I LISTENED TO ON YOUR WEBSITE, 'œMISTY EYES'?, HAS THIS BILLOWY, FALL-LIKE FEEL TO IT. WHERE DOES AUTUMN RANK IN YOUR LIST OF FAVOURITE SEASONS?
It's my favourite season....so sad but so beautiful. Also, my sister Jenn would agree that the best clothes are worn in autumn. Come on now, scarves, mitts, browns and oranges. Nothing like lifting the collar to keep from getting cold.

By Pras Rajagopalan