Interview with Ulric Lacombe

Transcript:

Interviewer: When you were growing up, was there a lot of music around?

Ulric Lacombe: Oh yes!

Interviewer: All the time?

Ulric Lacombe: As far as accordions go, in Montmagny, I don’t think there was a single house that didn’t have one!

Interviewer: So, there was always at least one family member who…

Ulric Lacombe: Yes. After that, I started making them. Just for fun!

Interviewer: When was that?

Ulric Lacombe: Oh, my Lord! The first one I ever made, it’s at the Manoir [the Musée de l’Accordion]. It must be 37 or 38 years old, that one. It was the first one I managed to finish and that still works! Ah yes!

Interviewer: What made you suddenly…

Ulric Lacombe: An idea! Hey, I’ll give it a try!

Interviewer: A challenge?

Ulric Lacombe: Yes! A challenge! I’m going to give that a try! I didn’t have the right materials.

Interviewer: Had you seen someone build one before?

Ulric Lacombe: No, I hadn’t. I started making bellows, but I didn’t have the right kind of leather for the corners. It had to be waterproof leather. I had to throw them out, because they weren’t any good. Then, I made three more just like them. Finally, I said: “This just isn’t working.” I had to get my hands on the right kind of leather. Well, that’s how I started out.

Interviewer: In other words, you had to learn as you went along?

Ulric Lacombe: Yes, that’s right. I’m thinking of the first bellows I made. I had to fold it using a stick, because I didn’t have a press. I didn’t have the right tool so I just made them with a stick. The folds, I mean. And it still works. It was a good one! [Laughter.] I’ve played parties with it, many times! Ah yes!

Interviewer: It had a single row?

Ulric Lacombe: Just one, just a single row.

Interviewer: In C or in D?

Ulric Lacombe: In C sharp. Then, I changed it to D. [Laughter.]