The Beaches Accordion Festival in Eastport got underway last week with the first part of its Best of Bonavista Bay concert. The Friday show, for the third year running, was dedicated to the late Gerry Cheeks, a local accordion player who entertained people in the region for many years, both in bands and on recordings.
Music continues to live on in his family through the efforts of his granddaughter, Tiffany Cheeks. The Glovertown native first picked up the accordion in Grade 11, and began learning to play the instrument with help from Mr. Cheeks.
Once again, Ms. Cheeks took to the stage of the Beaches Heritage Centre to help honour her grandfather’s passion for the squeezebox by performing with her group, Rastra-Astra. The four-piece alternative-indie group also includes Adam Vardy on guitar and vocals, Simon Blackwood on drums, and Ryan Gordon on bass. While Ms. Cheeks usually straps on a guitar with the group, she played accordion for the group’s set at the accordion festival – they did a rollicking version of Whiskey in the Jar.
Q: What was your first exposure to the accordion?
A: It would have to be listening to dada (Gerry Cheeks) play. Ever since I was a little girl, I remember growing up hearing him play at shows, his house, or anywhere.
Q: What struck you about him when he was playing?
A: He was just so happy when he played. The music he played was always upbeat and fun. I just enjoyed listening to it.
Q: Your own move towards the accordion, was it inspired by him?
A: I’d say it was. I didn’t pick it up until Grade 11, I think. It was right before he passed away. I went out, and he showed me a couple of songs, and then from there I took it on my own and went with it.
Q: Had you been playing any musical instruments at that point?
A: I’ve played guitar since Grade 7 or 8.
Q: What sort of songs were you playing on guitar?
A: Well, the funny thing is, the guitar songs are not really folk songs that I play. It wouldn’t be anything similar to the accordion music. It’s more rock music, or alternative. Nothing like what you’d play on an accordion.
“Once you get used to the feel of it, it’s a lot of fun to play.” - Tiffany Cheeks
Q: What was it like picking up the accordion yourself?
A: It’s different, but I enjoy playing it. Once you get used to the feel of it, it’s a lot of fun to play.
Q: It seems like there’s a lot to think about between all the different buttons and having to figure out the technique of squeezing at the right times. Is that true?
A: Yeah, it’s hard to get used to the in-and-out, because one button going in and going out makes different sounds. You’ve got to get used to the feel of what you’re doing with it there.
Q: What was the first song you learned to play?
A: Mussels in the Corner was the first one. I got my grandfather to show it to me. That was the first one I learned.
Q: Did it come to you quickly, or did it take a lot of practice?
A: It didn’t take too much practice, just a few times going through it. I didn’t really know how the song sounded, so he had to sit there and hum it to me as I tried to play it.
Q: You perform in a group now – Rastra-Astra. Can you tell me a bit about that?
A: We’ve been together for four years now. We don’t always play accordion music. That style of music is actually a lot different than what we play at the accordion festival. We usually write our own songs or play a couple of covers every now and then. It’s more like a rock, alternative, and indie type of music rather than folk music.
Q: Are there any sort of groups you draw inspiration from for that?
A: I guess there’s a few. Modest Mouse or other bands like that. Not real popular bands, but different stuff.
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