Jenny Omnichord
A whimsical indie rock force who turned a quirky instrument into the heart of her charmingly off-kilter songwriting.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Musical artist·Birthday: September 28·Millennials
Biography
Jenny Omnichord, born Jenny Mitchell, carved out a uniquely endearing space in the Canadian indie scene. Her artistic identity is inseparable from the Omnichord, an electronic autoharp from the 1980s, which she adopted as her primary instrument and namesake. This choice set the tone for a career built on melodic ingenuity and lyrical warmth rather than conventional rock posturing. Based in Guelph, Ontario, a hub for collaborative and community-minded music, she has woven her sound through solo projects and bands like The Barmitzvah Brothers and The Burning Hell. Her recordings, often home-spun and intimate, feel like shared secrets, blending folk sincerity with lo-fi electronic textures. Beyond albums and EPs, her live performances are celebrated for their genuine connection, turning rooms into gatherings of friends. Omnichord represents a path in music where personality and inventive spirit trump sheer scale, building a lasting legacy on a foundation of authentic charm.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jenny was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jenny Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jenny's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Released three solo albums and an EP, establishing a distinct lo-fi indie sound centered on the Omnichord instrument.
- Performed and recorded as a key member of the collaborative Canadian indie bands The Barmitzvah Brothers and The Burning Hell.
- Cultivated a dedicated following through a DIY ethos and warmly engaging live performances.
- Helped define the sound of the Guelph, Ontario indie music community in the 2000s and beyond.
Did You Know?
Her stage name is taken from the Omnichord, an electronic instrument originally marketed by Suzuki in the 1980s.
She is married to fellow musician Stephen Lamb, who is a member of The Burning Hell.
The Barmitzvah Brothers, one of her early bands, were known for their playful, childlike aesthetic and use of unconventional instruments.
“The Omnichord is my voice, a little plastic box full of ghosts and heart.”
