Acoustic singer/songwriter, Marcel Desilets, is a veteran Harvest Sun performer, having graced our stages every year since the festival’s start. Marcel spoke to us about his musical inspirations, his dedication to songwriting and the long list of things he loves about Harvest Sun.
Can you go into a little of your history and what inspired you to start making music?
Well, I started playing music, started playing guitar, when I was maybe 15 or 16 years old. My friend who lived across the street from me when we were growing up, started playing guitar. We've known each other since we were three years old so we did everything together. When he started playing guitar, I thought, well I have to start playing guitar. My dad actually found a guitar for me and I started playing that thing and I never looked back.
Would you say you came from a musical family?
I would say that for sure. As early as I can remember, my dad played guitar. He could play the regular guitar, but he mostly played the dobro that you play with a steel bar. He would jam with his friend who played the accordion. He and his younger brother would play a lot of music together. My dad was always playing, and he was a very accomplished harmonica player. My mom could play the piano and could play the harmonica. So yeah, I grew up around music.
When did you start writing your own music?
When my friend and I started playing guitar, we started writing our own songs right from the start. We did some cover tunes as well back then. We were both really into Neil Young and we learned some Neil Young songs, but mostly we were into creating our own music.
What other influences have you pulled from, from the time that you started writing to now?
Well, in terms of styles, I love acoustic music. When I was growing up, I was into indie rock and all that kind of stuff. My growing-up years were kind of in the 70s. The late 60s and 70s were the heyday for rock 'n roll, so I was really into that, but I love acoustic guitar and acoustic music. The folksier elements of rock – folk-rock – really interested me and that sort of shaped the kinds of things that I was writing earlier on.
Can you go into a little of your history and what inspired you to start making music?
Well, I started playing music, started playing guitar, when I was maybe 15 or 16 years old. My friend who lived across the street from me when we were growing up, started playing guitar. We've known each other since we were three years old so we did everything together. When he started playing guitar, I thought, well I have to start playing guitar. My dad actually found a guitar for me and I started playing that thing and I never looked back.
Would you say you came from a musical family?
I would say that for sure. As early as I can remember, my dad played guitar. He could play the regular guitar, but he mostly played the dobro that you play with a steel bar. He would jam with his friend who played the accordion. He and his younger brother would play a lot of music together. My dad was always playing, and he was a very accomplished harmonica player. My mom could play the piano and could play the harmonica. So yeah, I grew up around music.
When did you start writing your own music?
When my friend and I started playing guitar, we started writing our own songs right from the start. We did some cover tunes as well back then. We were both really into Neil Young and we learned some Neil Young songs, but mostly we were into creating our own music.
What other influences have you pulled from, from the time that you started writing to now?
Well, in terms of styles, I love acoustic music. When I was growing up, I was into indie rock and all that kind of stuff. My growing-up years were kind of in the 70s. The late 60s and 70s were the heyday for rock 'n roll, so I was really into that, but I love acoustic guitar and acoustic music. The folksier elements of rock – folk-rock – really interested me and that sort of shaped the kinds of things that I was writing earlier on.
What do you hope people get out of your performances and listening to your music?
My style is typically a poetic style of writing. I'm a minimalist I would say in terms of lyrics. I like to leave my songs, for the most part, open to interpretation. I guess I hope that people listen to it and are able to get whatever feels good to them out of what I'm singing and playing.
You've played Harvest Sun before.
Yes, from the beginning. I go every year and for some reason, Nadia is kind enough to put me on stage every year in some capacity. I really appreciate that, and I just love being there. I love playing there. I love the whole atmosphere of that festival.
Since you have been there from the start, what are some of the positive changes that you've seen happen with the festival growing?
I think one of the huge positives is that [festival creators] Nadia and Delano and all the people who helped run the festival didn't give up, because there were some lean years. However, they persevered, and they kept going because they knew they had a good thing. Then suddenly there was a kind of banner year where it hit around the 500 [attendees] mark, and it hasn't looked back.
That's one of the things that I truly love about the festival: that it's a small festival. If you're there for the weekend, you're saying 'hello' or at least nodding to pretty much everybody that's there. It's homey. It's the atmosphere that they've created. The sound is brilliant, and the location is fantastic.
Catch at Marcel Desilets The Harvest Sun Music Festival in Kelwood, MB - August 17 -19th.
Follow Marcel on Facebook, on his website, and Instagram.
Be sure to check out @harvestsunmusicfest on Instagram on June 16th, as Marcel takes over our account for the day!
My style is typically a poetic style of writing. I'm a minimalist I would say in terms of lyrics. I like to leave my songs, for the most part, open to interpretation. I guess I hope that people listen to it and are able to get whatever feels good to them out of what I'm singing and playing.
You've played Harvest Sun before.
Yes, from the beginning. I go every year and for some reason, Nadia is kind enough to put me on stage every year in some capacity. I really appreciate that, and I just love being there. I love playing there. I love the whole atmosphere of that festival.
Since you have been there from the start, what are some of the positive changes that you've seen happen with the festival growing?
I think one of the huge positives is that [festival creators] Nadia and Delano and all the people who helped run the festival didn't give up, because there were some lean years. However, they persevered, and they kept going because they knew they had a good thing. Then suddenly there was a kind of banner year where it hit around the 500 [attendees] mark, and it hasn't looked back.
That's one of the things that I truly love about the festival: that it's a small festival. If you're there for the weekend, you're saying 'hello' or at least nodding to pretty much everybody that's there. It's homey. It's the atmosphere that they've created. The sound is brilliant, and the location is fantastic.
Catch at Marcel Desilets The Harvest Sun Music Festival in Kelwood, MB - August 17 -19th.
Follow Marcel on Facebook, on his website, and Instagram.
Be sure to check out @harvestsunmusicfest on Instagram on June 16th, as Marcel takes over our account for the day!
Interview by Janet Adamana
Janet Adamana is the Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Sound, Phrase & Fury Magazine - a Winnipeg-based digital publication dedicated to promoting independent artists and industry professionals from all over the world. More than just about inciting hype, she interviews/writes to capture an artists’ essence and their greatest passions to ignite meaningful connections between fans and really great bands.
Janet Adamana is the Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Sound, Phrase & Fury Magazine - a Winnipeg-based digital publication dedicated to promoting independent artists and industry professionals from all over the world. More than just about inciting hype, she interviews/writes to capture an artists’ essence and their greatest passions to ignite meaningful connections between fans and really great bands.
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