Albums: The Hottest Aussie Blues and Roots 2007, Toby, Electric Smooch

There are multiple artists using that name 1) Toby Beard, a West Australian singer/songwriter. At the age of nine, Toby began piano lessons, and three years later she bought her first guitar. Toby also began teaching herself to sing at an early age. At fifteen, Toby became the frontwoman of her first band. Her first ‘real’ performance was in front of an audience of 600 people at the Octagon Theatre, UWA. She was accepted into the highly prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, studying “Bachelor of Classical Performance, Guitar”. After two years of studying, Toby began to travel extensively throughout Europe and Asia, gathering lyrics and new songs to bring home with her to Perth. In 2001, after settling back into Perth, Toby helped form popular childrens band “Dragonfly- The Funky Fairy Band”, a five piece band. She wrote the majority of the lyrics and music for their two albums (sold 2000 copies) and video. Dragonfly toured throughout WA, playing at festivals, schools and major events including support for the Wiggles, performing to 5000 people. They also performed on Telethon and at the Perth Concert Hall. After two successful years of being a performing fairy, it was time for Toby to move onto bigger and better things. Toby then formed "Toby and Code Red" in 2002 after singing at an open mic night in Fremantle. Toby was invited back for her first paid gig, and from this day forward Toby and Code Red became Toby’s main focus. Since then the band name has changed to "TOBY". "Toby" can range from Toby being solo, up to fourteen players at once. Toby has carefully selected her musicians, and only plays with the best. Showcasing strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, harmonica, drums, bass and guitar. Four years on, "Toby" have become one of Western Australia’s top performing bands – touring extensively throughout WA and also on the east coast, Canada, UK and Switzerland. They have supported many well known international and national artists. They’ve performed at every top festival in WA, and also produced five CDs – “Indi -Live On The West Coast”, “GiddyUp”,“On Second Thoughts” "Tu Es Belle" and the most recent, "Renaissance". Toby’s “RENIAISSANCE” full length studio album was recorded with Shaun O’Callaghan at Couch Studios, North Fremantle. Shaun has previously worked with the likes of Eskimoe Joe, John Butler Trio and Carus. Toby was joined in the studio by Nicky Bomba who helped produce the album, as well as play drums and percussion. Nicky has toured extensively and provided the rhythm for artists John Butler and Pete Murray, amongst others, as well as co-producing JBT’s mega hit, Zebra. Toby was accompanied by twelve of WA’s top musicians, most of whom share the stage with her on a regular basis. Special guests included Dave Mann from the Dave Mann Collective, who sang stunning harmonies on “Goodbye Baby”. Mo Wilson from Mo Wilson and The Drivers joined Toby on keys and backing vocals. He had also played with Carus and The True Believers for years, before forming his own band. Maera Paki also joined Toby with powerful, beautiful backing vocals on several tracks. Toby is known for playing a wide range of musical stylings, with a fine mixture of musos. With her solid band of Pete Gellin on bass guitar, and Elliot Bruse on drums, they invited along to record with them Jessica Gethin (violin), Penelope Kimble (flute), Lucas VanBerkel (sax), David Rastrick (flugel, trumpet), Fiona Simms (violin, vocals), Sarah Peirce (cello) and last but definitely not least their most regular solist Jean-Guy Lemire on harmonica. The album was mastered at Woodstock Studio, Victoria with Robin Mai. It is being nationally distributed by MGM, and can be found in all good music stores. ‘Renaissance’ is a perfect fusion of roots, blues, jazz, reggae, latin and rock with the underlying gutsy, raw vocals from songtress Toby Beard. www.tobymusic.com.au www.myspace.com/tobybeard www.youtube.com/tobybeard 2) A German left-wing singer/songwriter from Berlin. He released the album "Toby or not to be"

Similar to 0 things you like: