Another familiar voice to GDW – the very talented singer-songwriter from Sudbury, ON, Mimi O’Bonsawin, released her single, “I Am Alive,” back on September 14th – which will in turn be featured on her upcoming 2023 album. Mimi shares about this rhythmic song, “I am Alive is a vibrant celebration of life. It may be cliché, but the journey of life is worth celebrating. In my own life, I have experienced so much loss this year. Many people have over the course of the pandemic. I’ve learned that life is a precious gift and should never be taken for granted. For me, celebrating life is through music, with my family, and on the land, that is where I feel most grounded. I am Alive reflects the happiness and love I feel in my spirit and invites the listener or audience to join in the celebration.“
I enjoyed this single while feeling absolutely free to dance and sway with arms stretched to the sky, without a care to who might be watching. Feeling grounded, to paraphrase Mimi, while reaching to the clouds may seem a bit contradicting to some, but as one who is well connected with her own air element, the verses Mini brings together in “I Am Alive” speak to me deeply. Connecting with nature at any elevation is a source pure prana and as she exclaims, “I am alive,” those words resonate within me. “Nothing can bring me down / I found peace in the clouds / Nothing can bring me down / This is what livin’ is all about,” Mimi chants in closing – the tribal-esque beat impossible to not feel and sing along with while dreaming of being at your favorite place in nature. Mimi’s Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots shine though with the variety of sounds and instrumentals she includes.
The single release has since been accompanied by a vibrant music video which highlights Mimi’s free spirit in a beautiful landscape. “I Am Alive was filmed in my favorite place in the world, Manitoulin Island, on a hike I have been doing my whole life,” she adds. “It is also the place where I wrote this song. We wanted to bring the audience into the north as it plays such a big role in my life and in my music. This video [created by Ryan Schurman] is an invitation to get into nature and to celebrate life!“
Cover Artwork Credit: Carole Diotte-O’Bonsawin
Photo Credit: Ryan Schurman
Jess has always enjoyed a wide range of music genres and eras. Connecting deeply with classical music, she played cello from grade school through high school, and although no longer actively playing, her affinity for finding an emotional connection to music is still strong. Residing in central PA, she is new to the Canadian music scene and enjoys listening to new artists as a way to break away from “the usual.” Jess is an avid yogi who often finds a sliver of peace while on the yoga mat with good music playing in the background.
