Artist description Solo Artist

Music Style Pop/Rock

Artist History Andrew Tarr, aka "Tarmac," has been writing songs since the age of 8. His first song, "Runnin Over a Possum," written on a toy piano, convinced his mother, (Tommy Award-winning artist Sandy Tarr) to buy the young iconoclast a real piano. His first band, "The Short Young Vikings" had Tarr performing for live audiences and glowing reviews as "Ike King", an angst-ridden Viking character created by Tarr, who always had a flair for the dramatic. A native of the northeast, Tarr (whose childhood nickname was "Tarmac") found himself in Boston after high school, as the lead singer of "The Bowman Drowned," and making extra money by playing his portable Casio keyboard in the subway stations. The band broke up and Andrew decided to take a break from his music. He got in his car and headed for Los Angeles, where he spent the next several years working as an actor, appearing in several independent films, TV shows and commercials (including the infectious Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" spot. "I want my baby back baby back"). Then, in 1997, a near-death experience caused Tarr to take a break from his acting as well. Run over by a truck, his spine narrowly escaping the crushing force of the wheels, he found himself in the hospital, lucky to be alive. Taking stock of his life, Tarr "realized two things: that getting run over by a truck really sucks, and also that I missed doing my music." Unable to walk unaided for several months, Tarr spent the bulk of his time writing. When he wasn't in surgery or physical therapy, he would be at his keyboard, feverishly pounding out a string of new songs. He found that his writing had benefited from the time off. In early 1999, back up on his feet, Tarr moved to Atlanta to form a band with a group of his friends. They rehersed, and developed an edgy, melodic sound that fit with Tarr's unique style. Working with producer Everett Young, they set aside time in Atlanta recording studio The Nudist Colony, and spent the last part of the 1900's recording and mixing the album. The result is Tarmac, a collection of fourteen songs, with Tarr pounding on the piano, and spewing forth his sardonic brand of lyrics. Whether he's lambasting the struggles of the slacker generation ("I don't mean to trouble you, but you failed your TRW. Please place your back against the wall."), bemoaning the narcissism of L.A. ("We got some coffee at a coffee bar. Your eyes were dartin all around the place, like everybody should know who you are or recognize your face") or poking fun at doomsday paranoia ("I don't know what the prophets said, but they're all dead, anyway") Tarmac's melodies rise above the noise to make this Gen X travelogue a suprisingly hummable collection. Also, for listeners on the other side of the rock, Tarmac has also recorded these songs in Japanese.

Group Members Andrew Tarr

Instruments Keyboard, Synthesizer, drums, violin, cello, trumpet, bass guitar, guitar, other percussion, etc.

Albums Tarmac

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

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