Rising Stars: Meet Toby Rand of Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toby Rand

Hi Toby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Melbourne, Australia, to British parents who had moved there for career opportunities. I grew up with two older brothers, and there was always music playing throughout the house, particularly rock n roll. My mother was a music teacher, so I was encouraged to sing and play instruments. It wasn’t until my brothers’ started a successful Rock n Roll band, that I realized i wanted to sing in a band. By the age of 15, my school band was playing Fairs, Proms and parties and this continued until we were able to play pubs and clubs at age 18.
By the time I was 20, I had a successful band playing 5 nights a week, and writing music that was now being played on radio. However, the Australian market for Rock music is quite limited and when an opportunity arrived to audition for an American TV show, I jumped at the chance.
So, in 2006, I was cast in Rockstar:Supernova, a show where members of Motley Crue, Guns N Roses and Metallica were searching for their frontman. The show went on to be a huge hit around the world and opened up a lot of opportunities for me. I ended up reaching the final and gaining a strong fanbase, which I then educated with my Australian band. My bandmates moved to Los Angeles and we toured and wrote records for around 7 years.
After disbanding, I continued my pursuit of music and writing and have been working a several different projects.
I am co-founder of Rock band AshenMoon with Garry Beers (bass player for INXS), and we are in the process of releasing music and videos. I also sing at a Vegas residency with the band RadioXx, which also travels around the world for large corporate events.
One of the most important parts of my creative life now is writing and performing for children’s TV shows and movies. I have also written many children’s stories which I am currently pitching for print and animation production.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My life has definitely not been a smooth road. I have a 14 year old daughter who lives in Australia, so being present and making the journey back home to be with her has had its challenges. Thankfully, we have formed a very special unique bond and she has taught me many life lessons on love, patience and sacrifices. Her name is London, and is one of the most charismatic humans I know.
Being far away from my friends and family in Australia, navigating a new country had me second guessing my career path, very often. The music industry can be hot and cold, and I had to try and stay true to what I wanted rather than follow a trend or listen to outsiders opinions. It was very easy to disappear and not pick up the phone.
So, LA can be very lonely when you don’t have a strong support system. Another major struggle was keeping my identity in an ever-changing music industry. Writing music in the last 15years has changed dramatically, particularly with the commercialization of artists and songwriting. Rock n Roll has taken a back seat to ‘popular’ music platforms, so my focus has been to create music that resonates with me and my band mates and not try and chase a trend.
In 2015, I also had to have vocal surgery for major damage on my vocal chords. This was easily the scariest moment in my life so far. The negative thoughts that ran through my head each day became very debilitating, and it took I look of self reflection to turn the energy around. I was unable to speak for 7weeks, and then started speech therapy and eventually back to singing lessons. Upon reflection, that was a turning point in my vocal health, and protecting my body and mind, as a singer. My voice has never been stronger and take pride in educating my peers, and bandmates, on how to care for their voices.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in performing Rock music as a quintessential frontman. My success on the Rockstar:Supernova tv show launched my career performing with bands around the world. I also pride myself on being a versatile performer and singer. I was recently in a Broadway touring production called Rocktopia / Rock Me Amadeus that fused rock n roll with classical music. it was one of the most unique and rewarding shows I have been part of, and where I met my love, & partner, Kia Warren (who is a supreme talent in her own right).
I have been fortunate to have had many career highlights, such as; touring with Slash (Guns n Roses) & friends around America, Scandinavia, Australia & New Zealand; Performing at the 2007 MTV Awards; hosting a TV show with Dennis Rodman in Australia; singing on numerous feature films; releasing records and traveling the world performing at exclusive events.
One major highlight was singing with Michael J Fox backstage at Radio City Music Hall many years ago.
I am most proud of my survival in the industry and my drive to keep pursuing happiness and success in the US music industry. Also, keeping my humility and surrounding myself with good people is something I pride myself on.
I have been able to grow every year and that is something that allows me to stay focused and motivated.

I have also performed philanthropic work in Los Angeles for charity groups such as The Boys & Girl Club of Hollywood, Musicians on call and the Susan G Komen Cure Foundation, which I wrote a theme song ‘Brightest Star’ and performed their Walk for Cure, at Dodger Stadium.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up surrounded by sport and music. My parents are from Great Britain, and I too have British citizenship. So, our upbringing was based on English traditions, humour, banter and lifestyle. My father is an accomplished Scientist from Cambridge University and my mother was a stellar musician and music teacher. I was very fortunate to have a stable home environment and growing up in the Bay area of Melbourne, was incredible. Great beaches and neighbourhood, where I felt safe to roam and enjoy.
I leaned into sport and was always outdoors playing cricket, Australian football, soccer ‘english football’, tennis…everything! My personality was and still is, jovial and honest. Outside of music, my main source of meditation and escapism is the love of surfing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tobyrand
• Facebook: @tobyrandmusic
• Twitter: @tobyrand
• Youtube: @tobyrandmusic