MAKATO:
You are at present working, recording and performing in your homeland of Russia and around Europe. Can you tell us what types of venues or recording projects you are currently involved in?

LAMARQUE:
Right now I'm mostly concentrated on my Solo activities, promoting my current Project - the latest, recently recorded Album along with the corresponding DVD, and the relative Concert program, which is taking the most of my time and forces at the moment, so these days I just can't afford to accept the proposals of being involved into any long-term ventures or continuous recording projects and, therefore, am only available for short-term collaborations and one-time studio session jobs every now an again.

MAKATO:
Are there any plans in your future to perform in the United States, or anywhere for that matter besides Europe?

LAMARQUE:
Yes, I guess I'd love to perform/tour in the U.S., under the proper conditions, that is - provided that there will be decent promoting/managing Company to organize the tour. Actually, last winter I had the U.S. tour scheduled for this summer, supposedly starting with Bonnarou Festival, then a bigger concert at the Stardust Club and Belmont University in Nashville...and so on, till autumn, proposed by some Co from Nashville area. They even pressed a certain amount of my CD Album copies in Nashville just before Christmas (which was sort of a bootlegger action, in fact), and sent me the Contracts to sign (afterwards... ;). Anyway, somehow, very soon, in the middle of January, they declared themselves broke and just closed the business down. So, by now my CD Album yet hasn't been officially released in the U.S...And I YET haven't toured in the U.S., too... ;) Therefore I'm open for cooperation and would consider decent business/touring proposals from the U.S. pluggers and promoters with interest... ;) Also, taking into consideration that I haven't yet been to the States anyway.
As for my possible willing to perform elsewhere...Well, there are actually quite a number of places on the Planet where I still haven't performed and where I would really love to perform. Australia, New Zealand, Africa...Middle East, India, Japan, Latin America...to name but a few. In fact, I'd appreciate performing "anywhere" where my music is appreciated and demanded and where it has its audience. Provided that the conditions proposed are reasonable, of course.

MAKATO:
Are there any future projects on the way from Alexandre de Guise or in the works at present?

LAMARQUE:
By now I'm having about 40+ more songs and compositions already written and awaiting recording, something which is planned to make the next 4-5 CD Albums and going to be a real lot of work. And, guess I'd surely love to record a couple of these Albums in the U.S.





MAKATO:
Regarding your surname - “Alexandre de Guise Lamarque” is that a "stage name" or your “real” name?

LAMARQUE:
It really is a real and legal one...Which is often quite a "surprise" for some of the local Russian authorities that sometimes happen to be unaware of the matter... ;) The Road Police inspectors included...

MAKATO:
In our recent correspondences you mentioned that all the instrumentation, arrangements and producing was a do it yourself effort. If so - why have you chosen to do it all yourself?

LAMARQUE:
That's mostly because I'm more comfortable relying on myself than on others, in creative and professional aspects too. Thus, I am a "producer" of my own musical material. If I had an arranger or producer whose knowledge, skillfulness and taste I could really trust or perhaps rely on, I guess I'd really appreciate to cooperate with them. Also, I could stack some of the weight on their shoulders...and thus save quite some time for the actual "creative activities"...;)))...Not even to mention time for experiencing the weird thing now called leisure...;) Naturally, I do write songs on my own, myself, because that's actually the way I "express" myself, most creatively.

MAKATO:
Regarding the official or profound and professional education; is it considered necessary to you or not, and does it help an artist to go that route?

LAMARQUE:
Provided that it's a really decent one, I suppose it surely does help, being regarded as a constructive background and a "building platform". Yet, also supposing the most important "knowledge" is obtained mainly through personal practice, experience and sometimes through some crucial counteractions. For example, Paganini and Mozart, too, were primarily educated by their Fathers...for a start. Some of the distinguished performers and composers; for instance, Paul McCartney, Paco De Lucia and Luciano Pavarotti are said to still be unable to read music scores... and so on. It's all quite individual in fact.

MAKATO:
What are the origins of your inspiration?

LAMARQUE:
Different ones… The LIFE itself, in every way it demonstrates itself. DREAMS, as something alluding to what LIFE is expected to be, at its "best".

MAKATO:
Who are your current favorite Recording, Performing Artist, and Groups?

LAMARQUE:
The Beatles. Now, Paul McCartney, I guess...This is the Man whose real great talent I do appreciate, and whom I also really do respect a lot for his human and professional consistency, tolerance, "insistence"...His music has been one of my favorites since the days of my early youth. Yet, having said that, it's been hard for me to choose between him and John Lennon. I also quite like and respect Queen, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Genesis, YES, Pink Floyd...Just wouldn't name any of the "newer" more modern ones, for I guess I'm just "too busy or preoccupied" with my own stuff - no arrogance meant or implied - to be on the lookout for the "new comings" and listen to the many of the "fresh stuff"...Some of it must be fairly decent, I believe. Also, suppose it helps to prevent one from subconsciously or un-deliberately following and repeating already existing and most recent trendy routes, "licks" and "clichés"...both in terms of composition and performance...and the "manner" and style, as well.

MAKATO:
Whom do you consider your "Educator" in terms of playing guitar...and your major influences in terms of writing and composing?

LAMARQUE:
Some Scottish Radio presenter once described my style of playing (relating to the instrumental Solo acoustic stuff) as "Segovia alloyed with Malmsteen". So, here you go...Speaking of "Rock Guitar" performance - surely, Ritchie Blackmore and Jimmy Page, for the beginning, then followed by Yngwie Malmsteen, whose approach and technique I really did appreciate when I first heard him, way back in the 80's. Having learned quite some things from him, I afterwards worked out and developed my own individual guitar playing technique/School and the relative performing Style based on Guitar-Violin closeness/likeness and one with the background from the performer Schools, exercises and pieces of the famous Violin players of the past (Paganini, Vivaldi, Joachim, Veniavski) that I've been studying. Thus...for the very beginning, I'd name Nicolo Paganini as my "Teacher". As for "writing/composing" influences - well...I've been brought up on the decent and really better Classics, and guess I am likely to have "inherited" sort of the relevant approach...Sure, I also appreciate the "writing/composing" skills of quite a few current or recent writers/performers...Among them I'd name Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Roger Waters, Brian May (Queen), Brian Adams... Yet, as for the actual "influences"- I guess in fact I just don't have "serious" ones...at least "consciously"… ;) I just "write" when I feel, what I feel and how I feel. That's, actually, what I call "creativity".

MAKATO:
What are the most appreciated and valued things in the life of Alexandre de Guise?

LAMARQUE:
Faith, Human Warmth, Grace and Honesty.

MAKATO:
What are the most despised and disliked things in the life of Alexandre de Guise?

LAMARQUE:
Mendacity, Indifference, Treason, Evil and Violence.

MAKATO:
What do you consider to be the most wonderful thing in life?

LAMARQUE:
LOVE, in every meaning of this word.

MAKATO:
What is the story behind your New Album Title “Can’t be in Vain”?

LAMARQUE:
Like Leo Tolstoy said - “Do what you ought to do, and let it be what it MUST be!” ...And, if you do so, it just "can't be in vain", ever.





MAKATO:
Does Alexandre de Guise Lamarque have a motto or a slogan?

LAMARQUE:
I have two... "Love Conquers Everything" ...and "Fortune Assists the Daring"

FORTES FORTUNA ADJUVAT!


In April/May of 2005 Guitar virtuoso and songwriter Alexandre de Guise is going to release his New Solo Album, entitled "Can't Be in Vain" and Live Concert (open air) DVD entitled "Live in Red Square, Moscow", 2004.

The Album is a collection of songs which, stylistically, can be discribed as a tasteful blend of Mainstream melodic Rock, smart Pop, with an influence from Progressive Rock, elements of New Age and vibes of Celtic Folk. All songs written, arranged and produced by Alexandre de Guise. The title of the DVD speaks for itself - it's a video of Alexandre de Guise's recent Live Solo Concert in Red Square, Moscow, featuring the songs from his New Album "Can't Be in Vain"

For more information and with record/publishing/licensing, cooperation and booking proposals please contact: