Laganza tends to be a name that isn't alway's the most straight forward, but ask the boys if they remember how they got it and you'll get a different answer every time. The ever-changing meaning of their name resembles the constant face-lift they give to their music. One minute they think they are Rock-Reggae band and then bam they start writing blues and country tunes. It's never the same, but it's all good.
Hailing from the backwoods of maple country (Huntsville ON.) Laganza has flourished in their own natural habitat since the mid-nineties, and now seek to branch out into the outer world while still remaining true to their roots. Laganza's brand of music involves the use of environmentally friendly solutions. Laganza's latest release(It's Only Life, 2008), seems to have somewhat of a "Rock" direction to it and showcases a growing appreciation for song-writing. Look for the next album to be completely different, and yet somehow still relevant.
The band:
Tobin Spring (original member, guitar, vocals) was born in 1980 and into a musical family where he was encouraged (forced) to play a number of instruments until finally the guitar took. Together, with original members Derek Cochrane and Benji Jordan they formed Laganza and began playing gigs and writing tunes. Eventually Tobin attended Humber College in Toronto for music and has since been busying himself with playing shows and recording with Laganza while also master-minding the highly successful Northern Blues Review.
Derek Cockrane (original member, drummer,) was born in 1979 in Huntsville. Like his boyhood friend Tobin he started up musically at age 11 but on drums. Early study was left-handed with Humber graduate Dan Neil, and then Derek switched to a right-handed kit when Hawksley Workman became his instructor. Derek picked up some guitar and bass along the way- you may be getting the idea that this fellow is pretty dedicated to a life in music. The change from left to right-handed approach has resulted in a unique open-handed style.
Derek moved on to study with Montreal jazz drummer Rejean Gamache (drummed for Eilleen Regina Edwards, in-house singer at Deerhurst Inn, Huntsville before she became Shania Twain) and was moved to audition for the Humber jazz program where he spent 3 semesters working with Roger Flock, Don Vickory and Paul Delong.
His open-handed technique has evolved into a polyrhythmic styling which sits well underneath Laganza's brand of rock/blues/reggae.
Brian Hawley (added a 2nd outstanding guitar voice to Laganza in 2006, also some vocal work and songwriting) was born in 1980 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He went to a different music school than Derek and Tobin- taught himself guitar and was working clubs by the time he was 12. Music school was playing with Matt Minglewood (east coast Juno nominee and multiple blues awards winner) and Richard Berk (another east coast master). Mind you, with Warren Haynes, Stevie Ray Vaughn and David Gilmour as other inspirations, Brian sets his standards pretty high. Hawley brought his seemingly effortless guitar style to many bands over the years until he found a home with Laganza. Like all great players he doesn't stay static, always seeking just the right tone, just the right expression for this song, right now. No posturing or studied rock stances. Simply outstanding guitar. "Don't drink anything you can't see through". Sound advice from a veteran musician.
Ryan Murray aka Skim (bass player, Laganza member since 2006), like Brian, comes from a long way off, west not east this time. Born in 1978 in Edmonton, Alberta, Ryan ran away to Huntsville at age 15, drawn by the music scene which had Huntsille High School's 'Black Whole Cabaret' at its centre. Again like Brian, he is self-taught and like all the members of this band devotes all his working life to music, to making Laganza's ever-growing sound memorable. Influences such as Bob Marley, Gov't Mule, Led Zepplin, Tool and P-Funk don't make him an imitator. He is committed to developing his own style.

Benji Jordan (original member, bass player): Due to geographical circumstances Benji can't play with the band full-time these days, but still makes the most of it when the time allows. He has been responsible for the majority of the bass on Laganza recordings and continues to be an integral part of the band.

- Formed in 1994 in Huntsville On.
- Began playing at the legendary Black Whole and started playing venues in 1997
- Have played over a 1000 shows in On. alone
- Have opened for Big Sugar, Kim Mitchell, Bedouin Sound Clash, Default, Theory of a Dead Man, Trooper, Sloan, April Wine,
- They continue to donate time to many charity events including : The Heart and Stroke foundation, The Terry Fox Run, Breast Cancer research and The Chrysalis house.
- Recorded their first self-titled release in 2001 at Puck’s Farm studios
- Their original material is a melting pot of rock, reggae, blues and roots music.
- Their shows appeal to a wide audience and are notorious for being high-energy.
- They released The Black Creek Sessions in 2006 and thousands of albums have been distributed under their Etwell Records label
- Released the hit single “ Higher Height “ as the Black Creek Boys.
- André Wahl produced “Higher Height” and also co-produced the 2008 album "It's Only Life" - Laganza is currently touring steadily and thriving with their all-star line up
including : Tobin Spring on guitar and vocals, Derek Cochrane on drums,
Brian Hawley on guitar and vocals, and Ryan Murray on bass and vocals.

Tobin Spring : Born in Huntsville in 1980, Spring began playing guitar at age 11. His father Bill was the piano player for the Lost Marbles Boogie Band, so Tobin’s background was filled with blues and rock. Hawksley Workman (Ryan Corrigan) was one of Spring’s first teacher’s and had a large influence on his development. Bill Stewart also taught Spring for a period, and blues guitarist Dave Curry continues to be a teacher and a source of inspiration for Spring. Spring formed Laganza along with original members Derek Cochrane, Benji Jordan and Dan Watson at H.H.S.
Spring began studying at Cambrian College, in Sudbury, in the fall of 2000. He studied classical guitar with Phil Candelaria for three semesters before enrolling in the jazz program at Humber College in Toronto. Tobin spent three years at Humber before receiving his diploma.
Highlights included studying with Ted Quinlan and playing guitar for Dave Stillwell’s “Blue Jackets” : a fourteen-piece R&B band.

Tobin returned to Huntsville in 2005 where he began teaching guitar lessons and promoting Laganza full-time. He is also the coordinator for the Northern Blues Review.

Derek Cochrane : Born in Huntsville in 1979, Derek was first introduced to the drum kit at 11 years of age. First picking up beats from Humber grad Dan Neil, Derek started playing drums left handed. It was not long before Derek started taking lessons from Hawksley Workman. It was here that Derek learned to play a little guitar and bass. At this time Derek switched his drum kit to a right-handed setup, therefore resulting in the open handed style. Derek moved on to study with Rejean Gaumache, a jazz drummer hailing from montreal. It was not long before Derek was inspired to audition for the Humber jazz program.

In 2003 Derek enrolled in the Humber Jazz program in Toronto for three semesters. At this time Derek was taking lessons from Roger Flock, Don Vickory, and Paul Delong. Recently Derek has been teaching, and touring across Ontario. Baffling people with his off beat shots, and original rhythms Derek has been promoting the second album Laganza has released.

Brian Hawley: Born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia 1980. Brian is a self- taught guitar player, but managed to get a couple of lessons from blues player Matt Minglewood, and Richard Berk. Brian started playing clubs at 12 years of age. Brian has played in many bands such as Higher Ground, Sause Jacks, and Last Exit.

Moving to Huntsville in 2003, Brian has been recording local bands in his own home studio (Hawley Tone). Joining Laganza in 2006, Hawley’s speed licks and smooth playing have impressed many around Ontario.

Ryan Murray: Ryan Murray (Skim) was born in Edmonton in 1978. Moving to multiple location across Canada, Ryan found a home in Huntsville at age 15. Inspired by the well known Hawksley Workman, Ryan is a self taught bass player. Ryan started playing bass at age 13, managing to get a couple of lessons from Adam Barton and Glen Morgan. Ryan has played in bands such as Dead Mini Pop Trio, Ear Goggle, Mob Army Three, and Hay Day. Also joining Laganza in 2006, Ryan’s slapping and popping technique is a perfect fit for Laganza’s ever growing sound.

Etwell Records:

Established in 2004. Located on the outskirts of Huntsville. Home of Laganza productions and Black Creek Sessions. This studio is open to the public to record. For more information on prices and booking times we can be reached at tobin@laganza.com