Artists

Tom DAVEAU

ASBA artist – L'impératrice

Tom Daveau, 35, is a professional drummer, composer, and arranger. He has been performing for over ten years on both French and international stages, notably with the band L’Impératrice.

Tom Daveau is the emblematic drummer of the French band L’Impératrice, which he joined at its very inception in 2012. A lifelong music enthusiast, Tom began studying saxophone at the age of 8, then moved on to guitar before discovering drums—an instant passion—during his time at the conservatory and the Atla music school.

By 2008, he had already begun working as a live and studio/session drummer for various projects. In 2012, he officially joined L’Impératrice, standing out not only as a drummer but also as a composer and arranger. With the band, he has released four EPs and four studio albums (Matahari in 2018, Tako Tsubo in 2021, and Pulsar in 2024), and toured extensively across France and internationally, including performances at Coachella in 2022 and 2024.

In parallel, Tom has collaborated with numerous artists such as Elliott & Gaspard Murphy, Static King, Jane Ayache (Superbus), Joseph d’Anvers, Valère, Malo’, and Worshhhip—both live and in the studio—also contributing as a composer and arranger.

His connection with ASBA began through René Guérin (drummer for Martin Circus), who let him play as a child on his blue-white-red ASBA kit. Today, Tom is proud to be part of the ASBA family. He currently plays a Rive Gauche kit (20″/13″/16″) with a 14″/6″ metal snare, as well as a vintage 1970s acrylic ASBA kit (22″/13″/14″/16″) with a 14″/5″ snare.

Tom embodies the union of artisanal precision and musical creativity, both with ASBA and L’Impératrice.

“I’ve played a lot on vintage Ludwig and Premier kits over the years, but with ASBA, I’ve found that same warm, vintage sound I love — along with great tuning versatility across different styles.”