Photo By Wright Photography
Hex Appeal originally formed as a result of Ladies Rock Camp, which is run by Girls Rock St. Pete (GRSP). During the camp, every camper is assigned an instrument and randomly assembled into a group to make up the members of a band. In the case of Hex Appeal, Gabrielle Calise, who attended as an assignment for her column in the Tampa Bay Times, was placed with Loella Springmann, Sandra Döhnert, Cat Lim and Kelly “KJ” Jackson. The band’s name was decided upon when they were invited to continue playing shows, immediately after their camp's showcase performance. The spirited group have been a performing band for two years and counting.
Calise, the fearless culture and entertainment reporter at the Times, likes to immerse herself in her research and this is just one of the many rabbit holes she has tumbled down over the years, including, but not limited to, Florida’s long lost hot dog girls, the story of a spaceship atop a Tampa strip club and a tourist attraction called Orlampa that never took off. She once shadowed a four-generation family of alligator trappers and went looking for roadkill with the state’s only pet taxidermist. Most recently, she trained to become a mermaid at Weeki Wachee’s Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp.
“Everyone has some kind of fantasy of what they would have wanted their life to be. For example, my mom wanted to be a ballerina but instead became a podiatrist,” says Calise, who took guitar lessons when she was a kid. “In high school I was in a ‘band’ with some classmates, but mostly we were just being silly and joking around with our instruments. I pivoted to music journalism by my mid-teens, writing a music blog and photographing bands around St. Pete and Gainesville. Music is one of the beats I cover. The Ladies Rock Camp was supposed to be only a couple of days, but the friendship, sisterhood and love of music and women artists have pushed us to keep going and see how far we can take our band. And we are committed. I’ve been taking guitar and singing lessons. We are still learning our instruments—sort of building the plane as at it flies, working on our stage banter and fun outfits.”
Photo by Samantha Moullet.
Facing The Music
For each of the band’s members, the camp was both invigorating and nerve-racking.
“I was breaking into myself as a person and opening myself as an artist to people I did not know, which was a mission I dreamt of for way too long,” explains “Punk Granny” Springmann, who is a certified professional coach specializing in growth mindset and empowering mid-life women.
A vocalist and keyboard player in the band, she shares that Hex Appeal takes her back to her younger days.
“I felt like a kid starting kindergarten again! I just wanted to make friends with everybody and play. I feel like the five of us immediately hit it off because we all were truly vested in making the most of every minute of that experience. Basically, we all went into the band room with similar mindsets. I played classical guitar for a year and piano for many years, until age 18. Then, I didn’t touch anything for years. I got into community theater in my thirties and began some vocal training for a few years. It took Ladies Rock Camp to teach me how to rock out like I’ve always wanted,” Springmann shares.
The five members, who consider themselves “sisters in music,” all have fascinating backstories, successful and demanding careers and eclectic tastes and talents.
Lim, who is both a graphic designer and a stand-up comic, performs as bassist and part-time vocalist with Hex Appeal. She contributes to songwriting and choreography, and designs the visuals, from the band’s logo to song cover art.
“I’m currently experimenting with new basslines and exploring my synthesizer/drum machine to see what fresh sounds I can bring to the band,” Lim offers. “Outside of music, I’m starring in a horror-comedy short film premiering in March 2026 and performing live comedy.”
Photo By Wright Photography
Change Your Tune
Döhnert is an award-winning photographer (who contributes to SPL through her brand Sandrasonik Creative Photography) and is known for her commercial, portrait and event photography and video work. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Döhnert studied classical voice and music theory at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico before moving to Miami. There, she immersed herself in the city’s creative scene, collaborating with producers as a singer-songwriter, signing with a German all-girl pop group and later receiving a solo record deal offer from a Spanish label. Ultimately, however, she realized that path wasn’t the right fit and chose to step away. She then redirected her creative energy toward supporting other artists through photography.
“On stage, our band translates into what I do behind the camera at the pit of concert halls, auditoriums and arenas,”
she explains.
Now, aside from celebrating others, she takes center stage on vocals and guitar.
“It connects you with yourself and shows you that you can do what might seem unattainable,” Döhnert shares.
Beat Your Own Drum
Jackson came to drumming later in life, but now she can’t imagine a world where she’s not behind a kit. As the drummer for Hex Appeal, she leans into the band’s witchy vibes with equal parts mischief and musicality. Offstage, Jackson owns Vertical Ventures, St. Pete’s community-driven climbing gym, writes poetry and volunteers alongside her partner, Jesse Miller, Executive Director of GRSP, to help young musicians find their voice.
After teaming up in February of 2024, Hex Appeal dropped their first single Haunted, written by Calise, in October of that same year. The band’s name mirrors the essence of the song—loud, spooky, sexy and campy.
“Playing it is our favorite way to close out a show,” says Calise.
The band is back in rehearsal to record new songs between bookings on January 18th for “Sew Iconic,” a benefit for GRSP youth camps, Sew Pinellas and St. Petersburg City Theatre, as well as the Ladies Rock Showcase on February 15th at Bayboro Brewing.
Photo by Lily Fox Photography.
Sounding Off
Playing in the band also celebrates the power and magic of female friendship. Döhnert and Calise offer that everything from sharing songs that inspire them to “stuff that just makes us giggle, like dancing around and screaming in a big circle,” is on the menu.
“It’s hard to make friends and on stage we bare our souls and it can make you feel vulnerable, but when you are wearing a fun outfit and making music with your best friends, it tricks your brain into feeling confident and that spills over to reduce the stress of real life in relationships and work,” Calise offers. “We have helped each other through hard stuff and had so much fun as Hex Appeal.”
“The music is only half (if that) of what Ladies Rock Camp is about,” adds Springmann. “This program helps people reconnect with their authentic selves, encourages and empowers. And the support doesn’t end when camp is over. This is a place to find your tribe and build community.”
Indeed, the ladies spend more time bonding than they do performing.
“We catch up, bond over espressos, talk admin stuff like merch sales, budgeting and practice times,” says Lim. “Rehearsal rituals range from painting our nails with the same Sally Hansen silver and black glitter polish to circling up in a huddle to remind each other that we’ve got each other’s backs. Then we shred!”
Photo by Lily Fox Photography.
Find Your Voice
Want to explore your inner rock star? Learning something new and creative is a great way to jump into the new year and you never know who you will meet on this musical adventure.
“It’s a wild ride and a one-of-a-kind experience, really fun and a great way to make new friends,” asserts Calise.
The next Ladies Rock Camp is scheduled for February 12th through the 15th. According to the program description, in one weekend you will learn a new instrument (or pick up where you left off), form a band, write an original song and perform your song live on stage to hundreds of fans at a special concert event. The instructors bring real-world experience in performing, songwriting, touring and recording. No previous musical experience is required—the program is designed to help every skill level shine. The camp is conducted at Allendale Equity & Justice Center and the final showcase takes place at Bayboro Brewing in St. Pete.
Roots and Wings
Did you see Girls Rock St. Pete on The Kelly Clarkson Show and at Localtopia last year? Then you know the nonprofit celebrates music, self-esteem and girl power for children, teens and adults. Executive Director Jesse Miller describes GRSP as a grassroots movement that uses music and collaboration to build self-confidence and community.
“It empowers girls to take up space, use their voices and to see each other as allies instead of competition,” says Miller.
For more information, visit girlsrockstpete.org and contact Hex Appeal by sending an email to hexappealmusic@gmail.com
