Hamewith, in Scots, means “homewards”, and it is an indication of where this band's music will take you. It will take you back to their roots, and while some of those roots are old and deep, others run close to the surface. The band members come from diverse backgrounds and while the music is predominantly Scottish, you will hear other influences, both old and new. Hamewith are (l to r):-

  Stephen Glauz-Todrank guitar
  John Taylor fiddle
  Pamela Laine fiddle
  Paul Magnussen guitar, bouzouki, banjo
  Lawrence Drummond bass, trump, guitar


John Taylor is no stranger to anyone involved in Scottish music or dance in this country. Since coming to California from Scotland he has become one of the most sought-after fiddlers for Scottish Country Dancing, has played throughout the US and Canada, and has toured in Scotland and New Zealand. He has performed and recorded with singer Ed Miller, duo Men of Worth, and Scots music icon Brian McNeill, who produced John's latest album “After the Dance”.

Pamela Laine is originally from Toronto, but grew up in San Diego and is a keen surfer. Originally forced by her parents to study an instrument, she picked violin because she thought it would be easier than piano (boy, was she ever wrong…. but we're glad!). Until a few years ago, she played mostly classical music, and wishes she had discovered traditional music when she was younger.

Paul Magnussen was born in Kent and grew up in London. His first love was Folk Music, and his early days were spent playing mandolin and banjo with The Riggers, residents at Nic Jones's club in Chelmsford. He has also studied classical and flamenco guitar, and has had an erratic musical career which includes stints in various Bluegrass and Jazz bands. He has also written regularly for various music publications.

Lawrence Drummond has been playing all kinds of music on all sorts of instruments round the Bay Area for many years. He has a particular interest in Norwegian, as well as Scottish and Irish music, and is a master of the “trump” or Jew's Harp. He has the distinction of being the US National Lochaber Trump Champion. He plays trump on several tracks on John's “After the Dance” album.

Stephen Glauz-Todrank grew up in Maine listening to the Weavers and Peter, Paul and Mary, and has always liked acoustic music full of heart. Though a relative newcomer to traditional Scottish music, he finds it one of his favorite ways to commune with his Scottish ancestors and German Grampa who played the fiddle at barndances around southern Indiana.