<-- Andy Lamarche -->Independent artist Andrew Lamarche has played with many artists including David Gogo, Order of the Day, Carole Pope/Robert Farrell, and Steve Gardiner.



Biography:

"Drumming is about laying down a solid groove for the music that I'm playing," says Andrew Lamarche. "It's always about the music and artist I'm playing with, it's not just about doing flashy fills everywhere."



For Andrew Lamarche, attention to the music, consistency and dedication are key. As a freelance drummer, it is this, along with his easy-going attitude, ability and skill, that have continued to earn him recording sessions and a place on North American and world stages with some of Canada's most prominent acts. While perhaps best known for his rock performances, Lamarche frequently branches out into other genres. "I think the key to being busy is being as diverse as possible and learning as much as I can," he explains. "The entire music industry has changed, so it's important to understand how to incorporate it all."



Andrew Lamarche has definitely been busy. The summers of 2004 and 2005 saw him on the road with blues rocker David Gogo, 2005 Maple Blues Awards Guitarist of the Year, playing festivals and clubs throughout eastern Canada and the United States for audiences of up to 25,000, and opening for B.B. King, ZZ Top, The Tragically Hip and other top acts. At the same time, he continues to play with "anti-diva" Carole Pope and, on occasion, the Gold, Platinum and Juno Award-winning band Rough Trade, fronted by Pope.



Closer to home, Andrew Lamarche continues to play and record with Ottawa blues-rock artist Robert Farrell, whose latest album "Elegant Chaos" was a collaborative band effort, written entirely in the studio. Shows with rock artist Steve Gardiner have also been a highlight on the Ottawa scene, with melody-driven music that packs a powerful live performance. Adding to Lamarche's range of projects is Order of the Day, a hard-edged rock band with a heavier sound that allows him to experiment and stretch the way he plays, while still maintaining a solid groove.



Lamarche also makes himself available for recording sessions with artists and bands in a number of genres. "I've been able to do quite a number of good sessions over the years, and have had the opportunity to work with some great musicians, engineers and producers," he says. Lamarche's drumming has been heard not only on the radio, but also on television and in movies. "The studio business has changed over the years," he notes. "Musicians now tend to do their own thing away from the studio, doing it wherever they can in a digital medium. It's strange to me, how there have been a lot of sessions that I've never heard the final mix of."



It's a career that has always been evolving, from the time Lamarche took his first drum lesson at the age of 11. At 14, he began playing in bands, and by 16, was performing in clubs and bars. At 18, he was teaching, and upon graduating high school, published a drum method book that he used to instruct his students.



A highlight of Lamarche's career would come in 1997, with his role in Artificial Joy Club (Crunchy/Interscope Records). That year, the band's slot on the Lollapalooza tour took him across the United States, and was soon followed by months of festivals and headlining shows across the continent alongside Matchbox Twenty, Faith No More, Our Lady Peace, Smash Mouth and more. The band's first single, "Sick & Beautiful," was added to heavy radio rotation, and the video received high rotation on North American video channels. In 1998, Artificial Joy Club went overseas, performing throughout Europe. "It just all happened so fast," he recalls. "I think some of the most memorable moments of my career were doing the Lollapalooza festival and doing big festivals in Europe. Touring and playing in different places is great - you get to meet all sorts of interesting people."



Not long after returning home, Lamarche became part of alterna-power rock band THERMOclinE (Stamina Records). The group was soon cast in the Canadian spotlight, with a video in rotation on MuchMusic, a feature on the station's "Rapid Fax" segment, and a single that received airplay nationwide. THERMOclinE also became Internet favourites, with featured artist honours on GarageBand.com and mp3.com.



Throughout his career, one goal has remained constant: the desire to play as much as possible. "I don't think you ever stop learning and growing as a musician," Andy Lamarche says. "I still really enjoy playing, so as long as I still feel that way, I'll keep doing it."



Andrew Lamarche uses Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Los Cabos Drumsticks exclusively.