Ohbijou + friends @ Sneaky Dee's

On Wednesday night, local acts Ohbijou, Kat Burns + Forest City Lovers & Mike Evin took to the Sneaky Dee's stage. To many friends and locals, it was an opportunity to not lift a finger as many had mentioned they were extremely fatigued. So, only logic would dictate that it would be a good idea to go to a show where the music is warm and relaxing, right?

The show opened up with friend-of-friend Mike Evin who fashioned a mini wooden piano for the lot of his colourful set. Many people wondered how he even carried that wonderful instrument up the steep Sneaky Dee's stairs. Regardless, it was carried up, placed on the stage and used in such good fashion.

After Mike Evin, Kat Burns + Forest City Lovers took the stage. Burns started out solo but eventually added a couple of other bodies to group the Forest City Lovers (add a bassist, a drummer who looks like James Bond, and keys every now and again). Burns stepped up her cafe-esque sound to a simple and solid routine of toe-tapping tunes and tambourine-worthy music. Kat + the band recently finished their first record and is now attainable.

Local sextet.(yes, i said sextet) Ohbijou played to sit-down crowd of fans and friends at Sneaky Dee's on Wednesday night. Acclaimed for their goregous performances, Ohbijou continued to maintain their reputation to the Toronto faithful with tunes coming from strings, well-played keys and the wonderful xylophone. To end off the band's set, lead singer Casey Mecija played a solo tune of her own, dubbing it her "country tune". Co-Ohbijou-er and sister, Jennifer, was whistling and helping with backing from off-stage. Ohbijou begin an eastern Canadian tour today in Peterborough, head all the way out to New Brunswick, and back here in time for their CD release.

For photos of Kat Burns + Forest City Lovers, go here.
For photos of Ohbijou, go here.