Toronto’s Ohbijou recently released their third album, Metal Meets, adding to the momentum gained from Beacons in 2009. Metal Meets is sure to render success and has the mature feel that only comes with years of touring.

Although many band members pursue side projects, when working on albums as Ohbijou it becomes “Ohbijou time” and their focus and consistency continues to produce phenomenal records. The band has aged gracefully, staying largely true to their eclectic instrumentals and hauntingly angelic vocals.

Apparently most band members have difficulties looking at one focal point.

Their tour began on Nov. 2 in New York City, and will find its way to Saskatoon where they will play Amigos on Nov. 13. Lead singer, Casey Mecija, who also shares guitar duties, spoke to the Sheaf last week to discuss the latest album and tour.

Your new album Metal Meets came out just over a month ago. How is this album different?

I think that the big change in the making of the album was that we did a lot of writing for the record and arranging for the record in a cabin in a small town called Dyer’s Bay. We did a lot of writing there and then took all of our ideas and all of our demos to Montreal where we recorded in a studio with Jace Lasek (of Montreal band The Besnard Lakes), who’s actually from Saskatchewan.

Are you excited to be on the road again?

Yes and no. I think that it’s always hard to be away from home, but we worked really hard on the record so sharing it with audiences is something that we are always anticipating and getting excited for.

What is the biggest challenge you face while on the road?

Finding food that’s healthy. When we were on the road heading east a couple weeks ago, all you can eat is bread. The only thing that you can get at truck stops and anywhere off the highway is just a bunch of sandwiches and bread. At the end of a tour your body just starts to feel like poison. So I think that we’re all packing dehydrated fruit and all that stuff just to try and stay healthy. You end up eating at Subway so you can get lettuce.

When you’re travelling during a tour, how do you pass the time? 

Well especially for the tour coming out west, where we have consecutive 10-hour drives, we do a lot of sitting and reading and watching stuff on our laptops and talking to each other.

Do you have any car games that you play?

We on occasion have played the “never have I ever” game and that’s exciting for, you know, like 10 minutes, then you’re back to watching something on your computer.

Do you have any current TV addictions or movies that you’re excited to catch up on?

For some reason I’m totally addicted to that show Chopped on the Food Network. It’s just these chefs, they’re given this mystery basket of ingredients and they have to cook three different courses and it’s just, I feel like with reality television it takes so long and you have to get invested in these characters, but with Chopped it’s just one episode and then you say goodbye to the characters and they’re new ones next week. The cellist and I are totally into this show for some reason.

What Canadian city are you most excited for?

That’s hard. It’s so nice to just see Canada sort of unravel while driving on the highway and making short stops at places. I really like the prairies into the mountains. I think that that is just such a beautiful drive and I always say that I love the prairies so much, something about how quiet it feels.

You’ve been to Saskatoon several times, are you excited to come back? 

Yeah, our drummer actually recorded or did something on the Slow Down Molasses album — I think he mixed it. I think they’re a really great band from Saskatoon. We’re friends with the guy who runs the mixing board at Amigos and we always look forward to those big burritos.

It’s a fun time in Saskatoon and we really, really like it.

Do you have any pre-concert rituals or any superstitions that you need to adhere to before you can play? 

I don’t know about the other band mates, but something that I do all the time is I don’t drink before a show. If I do have a beer, it’s always after our set and that’s something that I’ve really stuck to. Drinking beer dries up your voice.

Was there ever a band break-up that broke your heart?

The Constantines. I don’t know if it was ever officially written that they broke up or not but the fact that we don’t get to see them play as often is pretty heartbreaking because they’re one of my all-time favourite bands. Oh, and Eric’s Trip.

Would you rather win a Juno or the Polaris prize?

I don’t think the Juno gives you any money…. I think that’s because right now the climate of music is I think very difficult for bands to make a living off their craft. I think that awards like Polaris, because they come attached with an award of money is really helpful to bands that you know need to fix the van or pay a producer and things like that.

So I would say a Polaris. The Polaris reception seems like a pretty good time. Jennifer and I played with Final Fantasy on the first Polaris awards and then Jenny played with Timber Timbre in the last awards. So it’s definitely a really fun time and fun party.

Where are you going next for your music? This album just came out, so are you going to start writing songs while on the road or is it on the back burner?

It’s kind of on the back burner. Our band members have different projects that they are committed to, you know, they have solo projects. I’d love to record an album of songs of my own and things like that. Right now it’s Ohbijou time and it’s a lot of fun, and it’s also fun to channel creative ideas onto different projects.

Last question, describe your perfect Sunday.

Just being in bed and watching movies.

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Photo: Supplied