{"id":1420,"date":"2018-04-22T20:34:57","date_gmt":"2018-04-22T18:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.planetharmonica.com\/?page_id=1420"},"modified":"2018-05-10T20:59:15","modified_gmt":"2018-05-10T18:59:15","slug":"meetingjoefilisko","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.planetharmonica.com\/NextGen\/en\/interview-eng-2\/meetingjoefilisko\/","title":{"rendered":"Meeting Joe Filisko"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Joe Filisko (c Bart Thomas)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is the very first interview not in my\u00a0 mother language; I feel very happy and honored to make it with Joe Filisko (I’m not supersicious but it is like a good presage\"\").
\nI discovered Joe Filisko about 20 years ago, and Nicolas Fouquet (aka Froggy) who met him at least twice at the SPAH convention told me a lot more beautiful things and for hours. Joe is really someone that I appreciate and respect a lot, for the man himself and all he represents to the harmonica universe. A Great man, very humble indeed, so involved everywhere for the harmonica, its advancement, for the people, the history of music etc… But so secret for me, perhaps because I am a little shy myself. Joe went with Eric Noden year 2007, to make an unforgettable workshop and to play at the very first big French harmonica festival (Les Harmonicales near Limoges). He was the godfather of this great event. So when Joe accepted the interview, I just arrived with a hundred questions \"\" (20 years of questions!!!)… Many, I agree, but not so much compared to his huge investment! The interview was going to be long so we had the idea to divide the questions to cover different main topics where I know that Joe has a lot to share (other Interviews to come later). Joe is a reference for many of us, and his extensive knowledge on various topics is of interest to the vast majority of us. This first exchange is the most general, especially for people who do not know Joe because they are very new to the instrument, and I guess from other parts of the world. If a question you are waiting for is not there, it could come later (and next introductions be shorter)…<\/p>\n

Patrice Rayon > You are born in Germany in 1967. Did you lived for a long time there? Enough to remember?<\/span>
\nJoe Filisko > I regret to say that I only lived there for a few months.<\/p>\n

Patrice R. > How is born your interest with music ? Did you have influences, perhaps with your family, friends ?<\/span>
\nJoe F. > Music has always fascinated me.\u00a0 I was really taken by it when I was in high school and only more so while in college.\u00a0 I didn’t grow up in a musical family.\u00a0 I came about it mostly on my own and was given some guidance and encouragement from friends and my cousin Steve Bourque.<\/p>\n

PR > Do you mean that your cousin Steve was musician or perhaps did he felt something in you that made him encourage you?<\/span>
\nJF > Steve is an amateur musician. \u00a0He did a great job at showing me things I needed to know on the guitar and was a wonderful source of encouragement indeed!<\/p>\n

PR > How did you start music ? Which instrument ? Can you tell us the story ?<\/span>
\nJF > I really became fascinated with the guitar in high school and studied it a little in college.\u00a0 It was then that I really started listening to American Roots music and Blues and my deep interest in the harmonica started.<\/p>\n

PR > In France, what we call college is before high school. So I understand that the step just after high school is college isn’t it?<\/span>
\nJF > Yes, you are correct. \u00a0High school is grade 9, 10, 11 and 12. \u00a0College is beyond that.<\/p>\n

PR > How came your interest with the harmonica ?<\/span>
\nJF > The harmonica fascinated me for a few reasons.\u00a0 I really loved the portability and was mesmerized by the sound.\u00a0 I also was deeply amazed by the complete lack of visuals.\u00a0 Learning the guitar was easy for me in that I could fairly easily replicate what I was seeing.\u00a0 With the playing of the harmonica, there is not much to see.<\/p>\n

PR > Your instruments: guitar, harmonica, voice … any other ?<\/span>
\nJF > I also play some drums and bass.\u00a0 Love the Cajun triangle and didgeridoo too.<\/p>\n

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PR > Wow! I never heard about the Cajun triangle! All those instruments are very rythmic! Where you interested to work about rythm or where just attracted and the rythmic aspect du to the chance?<\/span><\/div>\n
JF > Playing with Eric has gotten me to have a much deeper love of rhythm and groove which indeed the triangle needs to be. \u00a0I also love \u00ab\u00a0low tech\u00a0\u00bb instruments which it certainly is also.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n