Biography
OMBIIGIZI, an Ojibwe term translating to "they are noisy," serves as the moniker for a Canadian duo anchored by two prominent figures in indie rock. Daniel Monkman, known through his work as Zoon, and Adam Sturgeon, previously associated with Status/Non Status, shift here from the shoegaze textures that defined their solo endeavors. Their February 2022 debut Sewn Back Together emphasizes a brighter, tuneful approach, weaving vocals, guitars, and keyboards into atmospheric layers shaped by dream pop, post-rock, and introspective indie elements. The lyrics simultaneously confront the ongoing and historical hardships faced by First Nations communities. Their 2024 follow-up Shame maintained that emotional depth while favoring a more natural sonic palette.
Hamilton, Ontario, provides the base for Anishinaabe artist Daniel Monkman, who belongs to the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. Drawing the project name Zoon from the Ojibwe word "zoongide'ewin," which signifies courage, he merges ancestral musical traditions with dense, My Bloody Valentine-inspired guitar textures, playfully labeling the hybrid "moccasin-gaze." Zoon’s 2020 album Bleached Wavves earned a Polaris Music Prize shortlist, Canada’s premier recognition for independent releases. Adam Sturgeon’s initial major effort, WHOOP-Szo, likewise contended for the same prize with its 2019 release Warrior Down, grounding its overdriven guitars in voices from his lineage. In 2021 he retitled the project Status/Non Status to address Canada’s legal categories for Indigenous citizens.
During sessions for a Warrior Down remix collection, Sturgeon enlisted Monkman, who handled production on "Cut Your Hair (Zoon Remix)" for the 2020 compilation Warrior Remixes. The partnership prompted plans for a joint full-length. Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene arranged access to Bathouse Recording Studio in Kingston, Ontario, a facility run by members of the Tragically Hip. With Eric Lourenço of Status/Non Status and Drew McLeod of Zoon assisting, the sessions yielded Sewn Back Together. The pair revisited the same studio for Shame, again guided by Drew’s production and supported by Lourenço, McLeod, and Derek Durant, as the material explored the darker facets of emotional experience and the path toward recovery.
Hamilton, Ontario, provides the base for Anishinaabe artist Daniel Monkman, who belongs to the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. Drawing the project name Zoon from the Ojibwe word "zoongide'ewin," which signifies courage, he merges ancestral musical traditions with dense, My Bloody Valentine-inspired guitar textures, playfully labeling the hybrid "moccasin-gaze." Zoon’s 2020 album Bleached Wavves earned a Polaris Music Prize shortlist, Canada’s premier recognition for independent releases. Adam Sturgeon’s initial major effort, WHOOP-Szo, likewise contended for the same prize with its 2019 release Warrior Down, grounding its overdriven guitars in voices from his lineage. In 2021 he retitled the project Status/Non Status to address Canada’s legal categories for Indigenous citizens.
During sessions for a Warrior Down remix collection, Sturgeon enlisted Monkman, who handled production on "Cut Your Hair (Zoon Remix)" for the 2020 compilation Warrior Remixes. The partnership prompted plans for a joint full-length. Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene arranged access to Bathouse Recording Studio in Kingston, Ontario, a facility run by members of the Tragically Hip. With Eric Lourenço of Status/Non Status and Drew McLeod of Zoon assisting, the sessions yielded Sewn Back Together. The pair revisited the same studio for Shame, again guided by Drew’s production and supported by Lourenço, McLeod, and Derek Durant, as the material explored the darker facets of emotional experience and the path toward recovery.
Albums
Singles
