Mimi O'Bonsawin

Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi embraces the beauty of the land, all the while yielding to her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots. The ethereal quality of her music whisks you away with uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics that weave pop sensibilities with acoustic instruments. The layers of percussion and surprising harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.

“Making music and growing food are very much the same. They both start with a seed, and with proper care, can grow into a beautiful garden that we all can share. I put intention and love into every seed and every note,” Mimi says.

Fresh off a Coast to Coast Summer tour , Mimi often performs as a duo with her husband Ryan Schurman on drums making it an intimate yet uplifting experience for the audience. They recently added Anthony King on lead guitar adding a layers of atmosphere and energy to their full band sound.

Mimi’s latest album, Willow released March 2023, (independent) features four singles, “Here’s to the Women”, “I am Alive”, “I Wish I Was a Farmer” and “The River”. 
“Willow” is a collection of 14 songs, with an album cover so welcoming in its own right that I wish I could just take off my shoes and lay under that willow tree while I listen.” - Great Dark Wonder.
In Sept 29 2023, Mimi also released her first Full Length French Album “Boréale”, an intimate reflection of where she comes from. Just like her previous release, and first instrumental album Fiddleheads & Ferns (2022), this album was produced and recorded in Mimi and Ryan’s log home studio. “Just like the bark of the willow tree, the making of this album has brought me so much healing. I have never felt more alive.”

For many years, Mimi struggled to find her ‘sound’, her ‘voice’. “This album sounds like the music I have always heard in my heart.” Mimi adds; “It is honest, it is real and it is full of life. I feel like all of my previous albums have led me to where I am now, learning and growing at every chapter.”

It is important to note that no software instruments were used in the making of this album. All of the instruments are real and recorded live. Mimi and Ryan draw on a wide range of percussive and acoustic instruments in their home and weave them with sounds from the land and vocal play. “I like to paint with instruments and leave space for intention and breath.”