Mimi O’Bonsawin will grace Ottawa with her latest album, Willow, on May 13 at the NAC’s Fourth Stage.
The Ottawa-based roots singer-songwriter honours her deepest self through organic music creation alongside partner Ryan Schurman.
The Charlatan sat down with O’Bonsawin to discuss Willow’s formation and the artist’s connections to her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots.
The Charlatan (TC): What was your creative process for Willow?
Mimi O’Bonsawin (MO): We moved to the Ottawa Valley about two and a half years ago, and Willow was recorded in our little log home. We decided to collect the skills we needed to be self-sufficient. We have tons of instruments–my husband’s a drummer and mixing engineer. I wrote most of these songs while playing on the road. To arrange them in front of a live audience, instead of creating in a studio, is how I’ve always done it.
TC: It seems like a very receptive process. Is there a song on the album that especially resonates with you?
MO: They’re all bits and pieces of my heart and soul. The first song is “Where My Roots Grow.” It talks about my connection to northeastern Ontario, where I grew up, and the two communities I belong to: the Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki communities. It’s a song that’s close to home. It’s rhythm-driven and upbeat, encapsulating the record’s elements and live sounds. The other song is “Willow,” which I wrote a long time ago and was never really ready to record. This album was the seed. This was the time. I wanted “Willow” to be on this record. It was a challenge for me to let go of that song.
TC: What about this moment in your life made you ready to share “Willow”?
MO: One thing I love about songwriting is that you write a message you need to hear in that moment. It’s an honest, introspective mirror where you face hard truths and learn about yourself. “Willow” is one of those songs. I resisted recording it for a long time because there’s permanency when you record something. “Willow” was never at peak harvest time or ready to share with the world. Now, I have a great working flow with my husband in our beautiful creative space, and I feel grounded in the place we live and work. With this album, I’m finally ready and hold the courage to accept the imperfections of creating music.
TC: You’re very connected with the earth through gardening, foraging and medicinal recipes. What draws you to nature?
MO: As an artist, it’s important for me to authentically portray my perspectives, stories and the place I’m at in this world. Land plays a big part in that. Growing up, I spent lots of time on the land by myself or with family. As I came of age, I started learning what it meant to be an Indigenous woman. I learnt about medicinal plants and foraging and built these strong networks. Gardening and foraging are extensions of my artwork. I call it “working on that creative muscle.” Whether or not we’re recording in the studio, I’m still working on creativity. As a musician on the road, you’re always giving a lot of yourself. The land provides healing, recharging, acceptance and grounding for me.
TC: How can we hear your creative muscle in the new album?
MO: In a technical sense, there are a lot of natural sounds we bring for that texture. I’ve built shakers with seeds from our garden and found sticks that sound good when hit together. In the other sense, I’m usually outside or in an isolated forest when I write songs. It’s my reality. To bring that in is important to the songs.
TC: You’re currently on a Willow album tour with Ryan on percussion. What has touring and performing together been like?
MO: It’s been awesome. I feel so comfortable and supported. Working with your partner provides that safety net where you can try new things, challenge each other, communicate and know one another on a deep level. I’ve enjoyed that. Watching Ryan blossom into the musician that he is and finding himself through the music we make is beautiful to witness.
TC: How are you feeling about the final tour performance this Saturday?
MO: We’re really excited. The last two shows are in Sudbury (my hometown) and Ottawa, our new hometown. To come back to communities that have supported us for so many different chapters feels good. For the Willow shows, we get to really dig into the album. It’ll be a little bittersweet when it’s done because we love it so much.
TC: How would you describe your experience in the local arts scene?
MO: We always have really beautiful audiences and support systems in Ottawa. To call this place home has been amazing. There’s great music coming out of Ottawa, and contributing to this landscape feels good. It’s cool that both my music in French and English is being welcomed. There’s more space for that in Ottawa. It makes for a unique music scene.
O’Bonsawin is currently nominated for three Capital Music Awards and will perform at Bluesfest this July. Tickets to her May 13 NAC show can be found here.
Featured image by Ryan Schurman.
