Brasse-Camarade
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | François Lamoureux, Pierre Lamoureux |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Albums, live music performances |
Brasse-Camarade was a francophone rock ensemble from Ontario, Canada, created by the Lamoureux brothers, François and Pierre, who originally hailed from Sudbury. Prior to relocating to Montreal for music studies at McGill University, they resided in Toronto, Ottawa, and Penetanguishene.
Between 1993 and 1999, the group produced five albums and became known for establishing a network of live music venues in Canadian educational institutions, one of which evolved into Réseau Ontario. Their performance history spans more than 500 concerts throughout North America, covering locations from Alabama to Yellowknife and Vancouver to Nova Scotia, as well as tours in Portugal, the Azores, and France.
Although the band achieved several top ten singles, some Quebec radio stations were hesitant to feature music by Franco-Ontarian musicians. Consequently, Brasse-Camarade directed their efforts toward their expanding Portuguese fanbase, which subsequently led to opportunities in New York City and inspired the creation of FogoLabs Corp.
While extensive touring cultivated a loyal audience, limited exposure on radio and television restricted broader commercial success. The group dissolved during the rise of the internet era; in retrospect, they acknowledged that social media could have mitigated challenges posed by Quebec media gatekeepers.
Following the band's dissolution, François and Pierre Lamoureux established FogoLabs Corp. and Cinemusica, companies dedicated to concert film production. Their work includes projects with artists such as Rush, Branford Marsalis, The Who, Cowboy Junkies, Brian Setzer, Pat Metheny, Joe Satriani, Peter Frampton, and Willie Nelson.
Their concert film Zappa Plays Zappa received a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Rock Performance. Additionally, they secured two Juno Awards for Music DVD of the Year with The Tragically Hip’s That Night in Toronto and Billy Talent’s 666. Their direction and production of Harry Connick Jr.'s concerts Only You – The Concert and In Concert on Broadway earned Emmy Awards for Outstanding Music Direction. Other accolades include two Gemini Awards with Cowboy Junkies and numerous industry honors for collaborations with Rush, Branford Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Stray Cats, and Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Cinemusica was launched in 2010 to concentrate on innovative performing arts endeavors. Meanwhile, FogoLabs grew into a comprehensive audiovisual production company responsible for events such as the Fragrance Foundation FiFi Awards and NEA Jazz Masters Awards. Presently, it produces PBS programs Front and Center and Speakeasy, with Pierre and François serving as directors and François handling audio mixing. Featured performers include Joe Satriani, Christina Perri, Alt-J, and Lady Antebellum.
There are reports that Brasse-Camarade is contemplating a reunion; a box set compilation is underway though no release date has been announced.
Members
- François Lamoureux – vocals, guitar
- Pierre Lamoureux – bass
Drummers
- Arnold Bondi (until 1993)
- Jim Pistilli (1993–1994)
- Tim Rideout (1994–1995)
- François Paré (1996)
- Shawn Sasyniuk (1997–1999)
Other drummers who contributed live or in studio sessions with Brasse-Camarade include Jo Anne Blondin, Pierre Pineault, Claude Desjardins, Martin Gaboury, Marc-André Fortin, and Pascal Racine.
Discography
- 1993: Brasse-Camarade
- 1994: Fonce!
- 1996: Princesse des Bayous
- 1996: Mas Voltarei (album featuring Portuguese, English, and French tracks)
- 1997: Les étrangers
- 1997: Mil Razoes (Portuguese-language album)
- 1998: Rêve et réalité (5-track EP)
- 1998: Mil Razoes/Mille raisons (singles)
- 1998: Tard/Éternel/Éterno (singles)