Toby Beard

Last year Toby Beard had to wear a moon boot. Why? Broken bones in her left foot, fractured bones in her right. Sounds strange? If you have never witnessed a live show of Toby’s then it’s hard to understand. Toby is a foot stomper, a passionate, raw, cheeky and powerful performer playing a mix of soul, blues, folk, rock and a splash of gypsy hick. (she never really wore the moon boot, it got in the way of the foot stomping of course…)

So much more than a singer-songwriter

Western Australia’s Toby is so much more than your average singer-songwriter. She powers through each live performance with her own lyrical talent and fierce, dynamic vocals, with audiences revelling in the genuinity and honesty of both her songwriting and her performance. Her compelling vocals and the way in which she captures her audience can’t be explained but just needs to be heard and seen. Her live performance truly is a treat.

A prolific and powerful artist, music has always been Toby’s driving force. Toby grew up in Western Australia and bases much of her work here, with strong ties in Canada, the USA and Europe. Over the past decade Toby has captured the hearts of audiences across the globe. In the meantime, she has 6 albums, 2 live DVDs and several EPs under her belt. Between her touring and recording, it is a rare occasion that she will spend any given time in one place, setting her up for some great song writing inspiration. Toby finds her anchor in her family, her life on the road and the people she meets and this shows in her song writing. She was born to perform.

Fall Into Me

Toby has recorded with some of the best. Her first two albums were produced by Nicky Bomba (John Butler Trio) and recorded in Fremantle WA. Her 2010 album “Sleeptalk” was recorded in San Fransisco with a team consisting of the likes of Dave Matthews on keys (Etta James), Jon Evans on bass (Tori Amos) and Julie Wolf (Ani Difranco, The Indigo Girls, Maceo Parker).

“Nobody Told Me” (2015) was recorded at Bear Creek Studio in Seattle with acclaimed producer Ryan Hadlock (best known for his Grammy-nominated work with The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile, and ARIA-winner Vance Joy) and an array of USA talent including Portland based Joe Plummer (The Shins, Modest Mouse and Cold War Kids), bassist Adam Trachsel and violinist Lauren Jacobson (both performed on the Grammy nominated album The Lumineers), and Josh Neumann on cello (Brandi Carlile, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis).

In 2017 Toby released a six track EP “Fall Into Me”. To create her masterpiece, Toby teamed up with Eskimo Joe’s Joel Quartermain to record and produce half of the EP. Quartermain also plays drums, bass, keys and electric guitar. The other half was recorded by Rada Studio‘s Matt Gio, also playing drums and bass on the tracks.

An eclectic touring life

Last year (2018), the focus was on her brand new EP “About Time”. Recorded with Matt Gio at Rada Studios (Perth, WA), Toby decided it was about time she stripped the music right back and in doing so the end product is truely beautiful. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Singing about ‘time’ in its different forms. 

Over the years Toby has opened for some iconic artists including Sheryl Crow, John Butler Trio, The Waifs, John Mellencamp, Jimmy Barnes and The Indigo Girls just to name a few. She has performed at festivals worldwide including Summeriest (Milwaukee USA), WA Blues and Roots Fest (Aus), Skagen Fest (Denmark), Bardentreffen Fest (Germany), Big Time Out Fest (Canada) Utah Pride Fest (Utah USA) and L-Fest (UK). 

Toby’s eclectic touring life sees her continue to spread her infectious musical vein across the globe, playing everything from sold out headline shows to impressive festival slots and supports, from barnyard gigs to canal boats and intimate bodegas for a lucky few. Her reputation as a must-see, emotionally charged live performance, intertwined with songs guaranteed to get you moving, precedes her wherever she plays.

Nothing seems to keep Perth’s Toby Beard down. With a huge couple of years that could make many give up, Toby keeps writing, keeps recording and keeps performing whenever she possibly can.

2020 was by far the most horrific year of Toby’s life, as her beloved sister Pippa passed away in February. She very quickly learned what grief was all about and at the same time, due to Covid, she lost over 60 shows and 4 international tours in that year alone.

It has been a massive seven years since Toby Beard launched her last full length studio album.

2022 is a new year and who knows where it will take us all. But one thing is for sure, Toby’s two new albums ‘What Happens To The Heart’ and “Live At The Quarry” will help you get through it.