Tasty Musical Stew

Website: http://www.tonivere.com/

Enter Hashmagandy, the folk-rock all-star gurrll band with Toni Vere on rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals; Carla Rawlyck on lead guitar and vocals; Kelly Temleck on bass and vocals; and Lauren Buckell on drums.

Toni Vere and Hashmagandy are in the works to release Vere's debut album, Just To Be, by the end of January 2010. The CD was recorded and produced at Alchemy Studios in Calgary by Toni Vere and Jeff Muller, and Vere and her band are busting at the seams.

"My ultimate message is basically the same as the title to my CD: Just To Be… What I've struggled towards for most of my life has simply been to find out who I am and to honour that. I find that joyous place within my heart and soul just by being on stage playing music and connecting my thoughts and ideas through song with the people who I'm lucky enough to be performing to," says an overwhelmed Vere, who has spent more than twenty years writing, performing and touring western Canada, but has never taken on such a major recording project before.

Vere has a gift for songwriting and performance, and has combined her passion for writing words into music with the songwriting capabilities of her seasoned fellow band members.

Vere's sound can best be described as folk-rock, with roots, blues and country elements that walk in between the riffs of her original music to create a gritty, hearty, honky-tonkin' groove. Her songs tell honest life stories that most anyone can relate to, infused with an on-stage vivacity that makes audience members sing along and tap their feet.

Vere is filled with gratitude for her rapidly growing fan base and support network, who have helped her recently become ReverbNation's number one Calgary folk artist. She also gives special thanks to the collaboration of all musicians on Just To Be, as well as Lin Elder, Kate Reid, Hashmagandy and her partner, Marilyn – who takes care of the business end of Vere's musical career.

While looking forward to the CD release, she is ultimately excited about the journey on which she and her band are embarking.

"Hashmagandy is a new chapter in my life. Carla, Kelly and Lauren are more than band mates; they've become my friends, and sharing a stage with them is the ultimate musical high."