Interview with Stéphanie Richard
Audio: Stéphanie Richard interviewed by Camille Brochu. Archives of the Musée de l’accordéon. 1995.
Photograph: Archives of the Musée de l’accordéon. Collection: Carrefour mondial de l’accordéon.
The band Mauvais Sort consists of Stéphanie Richard (accordion), Nicolas Geoffroy (guitar and mandolin), Patrick Giroux (fiddle), Charles-Frédérick (drums), Charles Picard (bass) and François Lessieur (vocals).
Transcript:
Stéphanie Richard: In my case, it was when we went to the snack bar. The owner played the accordion, and I would listen to him. I could’ve kept listening for hours. I’d watch him, stare at him, and he could see I liked it. At one point, he gave me an accordion. That’s how I got started.
Interviewer: This man lived near your cottage?
Stéphanie Richard: Yes, in Cap-Saint-Ignace.
Interviewer: What was his name? Raynald Lord? And he played a small accordion?
Stéphanie Richard: Diatonic.
Interviewer: What brand of instrument did he have? Do you remember?
Stéphanie Richard: A Hohner, I think.
Interviewer: And he gave you one? One he already owned but wasn’t really using?
Stéphanie Richard: No, but it was old and a bit leaky. But you could still play it. He gave me that to get started with.
Interviewer: So, it was a Hohner as well?
Stéphanie Richard: Yes.
Interviewer: Diatonic?
Stéphanie Richard: Yes, one row.
Interviewer: What key?
Stéphanie Richard: C, I think.
Interviewer: So now you had an accordion. What did you do with it? Just play around?
Stéphanie Richard: My mother would sing songs, and I would accompany her.
Interviewer: So, you were able to figure out the notes?
Stéphanie Richard: Well, I did my best! [Laughter.]
Interviewer: Just by ear!