# Interview with Pierre Lacocque: Mississippi Heat – Don’t Look Back – I am always in a creative mode: Video, new CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2026/01/19/pierre-lacocque/
- Published: 2026-01-19T00:02:00+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Written interview with Bluesman, harmonica player Pierre Lacocque’s Mississippi
Heat – Don’t Look Back (2025).**

**Jazz Blues European Union: – Thank you for taking the time to have this interview
with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?**

**Pierre Lacocque: – **I started performing at 17 years old (c. 1970). Going to 
as many jam sessions in the Chicago area as I could, and occasionally I sat in with
my mentor, Junior Wells, at Theresa’s Lounge.

**What do you consider to be your hometown, and how does that affect your music?**

We traveled and lived in four countries by the time we emigrated to Chicago in 1969.
Our father was a Theologian and biblical scholar (Old Testament), as well as a Protestant
Minister. By the time we arrived in Chicago, we had lived in Israel, Germany (for
my father’s pastoral/military requirement), France (Alsace), and Belgium.

Our family hails from Belgium on both sides. And this, for centuries. We have French(
Walloon) ancestry as well as Flemish origins on our mother’s side.

**What performers have been your inspiration?**

I always loved the harmonica. Ever since I was two or three years old. But it is
in Chicago that my calling to be a bluesman became clear: Big Walter Horton introduced
me to blues harp and blues music. I had never heard an amplified harp before I heard
him live at the University of Chicago’s Ida Noyes Hall (1969). I followed his recordings
and live performances closely.

Another harp player who continues to have an impact on my playing is Little Walter.
When all is said and done, Little Walter remains my master.

Other players who influenced me, but in lesser ways, are Sonny Boy Williamson I &
II, George “Harmonica” Smith, James Cotton, George “Papa Lightfoot, Junior Wells,
Slim Harpo, and Paul Butterfield.

Lee Oskar (War), while not directly influencing my harp playing, introduced me to
natural minor tunings for harp.

**What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s
music industry?**

I am blessed to have been on the Delmark Records label since 2005. CEO/President
Julia Miller and Elbio Barilari (Artistic Director) took over the label in May 2018
and are delightful to work with. We have released 14 Mississippi Heat albums so 
far, and 7 of them are on that Chicago label, including a Live DVD recorded at Rosa’s
Lounge in 2005.

We also recorded two albums for CrossCut Records (Bremen, Germany) and enjoyed our
relationship with them (Detlev Hoegen, CEO/President). The other five Mississippi
Heat releases were independent releases on our label, Van der Linden Recordings.

Whether you are an independent artist or not, you need to be masterful at budgeting
and leading your band. It costs money to do things right as a band leader. Morale
within the band is paramount to me.
 While we have been independent artists on and
off over the years, being on a label helps with local and international recognition.

**What do you base your success on?**

Critics often note our sincerity, freshness, and heartfelt interpretation. Mastery
of our respective instruments also brings positive attention. We thrive and respect
Blues history and culture, its “vocabulary’ and existential truth.

Having support from my family is a huge plus. Having friends and fans who believe
in our music is also reassuring.

I always say that “if you don’t enjoy what you are doing, a life in music can be
like falling into a bottomless pit”.

Financial survival is often a necessity. Many of my friends and colleagues earn 
extra income by playing with other bands, giving private lessons, driving Uber, 
or even delivering pizzas! For decades, I held a full-time job while leading Mississippi
Heat. Whatever helps fund our joy to sing and/or play our instrument!

Recording and traveling with Mississippi Heat for over 30 years has helped us gain
notoriety.

**Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians?
How does it influence your creative process?**

As we are busy with our families, gigging, and making ends meet, I lean towards 
writing my own songs.
 I always welcome my band’s feedback -individually and collectively-
when we rehearse for a recording. I have also enjoyed co-writing with others, such
as Robert “Golden Voice” Covington, Billy Flynn, Chris “Hambone” Cameron, and James
Wheeler. I also welcome recording with other harp players like Billy Boy Arnold 
and Peter “Madcat” Ruth, and on our new album, Don’t Look Back, Omar Coleman. Duets
are challenging (in a positive way) and exciting. In our live shows, I often invite
harp players to join me. Sugar Blue, Omar Coleman, Nico Wayne Toussaint, Michel 
Herblin, Tad Robinson (in this case, he is the one who called me up to sit in with
his band when he lived in Chicago), and countless others.

![](https://i0.wp.com/blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWViarnYKcpYb-
CEZHxLCATIXObWOK1s3gzqHO5jmcPzUjDaGQcbRnyh_NtowvYhXotlceUNnYaH2tlhVgJYkTCZd7GjnbEnoxE-
z8WOkvq8YoZTg4quqC8CO1DtyAweQ3pc5oH-cwqWQ4u_7SujiTKYIYuQIo-BE3_vw5jdSRYvfY-t9mobRfCWuJb-
2n/w1890-h1663/Pierre-by-SAM-WONG.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

**What was your latest musical release?**

We released DON’T LOOK BACK (DE 895) on the Delmark Records Label (September 2025).

**Do you have any news to share?**

We are working on a new recording project for 2026. All original songs.

It will include musicians I perform with in Argentina, as well as with the core 
members of my band in Chicago.

**Could you share the story behind your latest CD, Pierre Lacocque’s Mississippi
Heat – Don’t Look Back – what inspired its creation? How does it fit into your creative
path? Is this a goal you wanted to achieve?**

This recording took longer to make than others we have done in the past due to the
COVID-19 timeout. It was during that time that I wrote most of the songs on our 
Don’t Look Back.

In terms of creation, I am thankful to God for inspiring me to continue writing 
and composing songs. I don’t know where that urge comes from, but in addition to
my loved ones, it provides me with joy and purpose.

I am always in a creative mode. I am inspired to continue, even in my seventies.
My friend and former bandmate Bob Stroger, the original co-founder of Mississippi
Heat with Jon McDonald, Robert Covington, and me, just turned 95 and is still going
strong! He is an inspiration to me. May I continue to thrive as long as he has!

[**Buy from here – New CD**](https://delmark.com/product/delmark-895-miss-heat/)

[[

**How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes
or emotions you tend to explore in your music?**

I stay with the existential issues confronting us as humans, as well as the direct
and indirect experiences of my family and myself. I occasionally turn to humor to
disguise painful truths. “Can’t Take It” on the new album is an example of that.
It talks about a true story of what alcoholism will do to a family.

**As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom
and commercial appeal?**

I aim for depth and inspiration when I release a song. My thought is that existential
themes tend to speak to others. In the end, if I am happy, I accept that it will
be, or will not be, a commercial success. Although it can happen, in blues music,
the likelihood of getting a hit out of a song or an album is rare. What ultimately
matters is the inspired enjoyment of the songwriting and recording process.

**What role do technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting
with your audience?**

Visibility is everything. Many outstanding artists do not get their deserved spot
in the sun. Hiring a publicist and having friends and family behind you is priceless
in this area.

As my friend and mentor Deitra Farr used to tell me, “Pierre, your audience is what
matters.” My advice to any artists is to treat our audience with respect. Give them
your time and interest. Fans do not forget sincere acts of kindness and inspirational
moments on stage.

**Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had
a lasting impact on you and your music?**

We have performed at the Lucerne Blues Festival many times, including its first 
years. The organizers’ welcome and the audience bring out the best in us.

Many places are equally touching to us. Places like Québec, France, Poland, The 
Netherlands, Belgium, Argentina, Mexico, USA, Tunisia…

**In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape
of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?**

To survive in the blues world, you must love this music, its cultural context, message,
and its legends.
 For many of us, financial survival is a forefront issue. Yet, 
no matter what, I continue to plow forward with meaning and fulfillment. I love 
what I do!

**Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage
with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?**

My brother Michel (manager since Day One) and my sister Elisabeth help me with PR,

social media, and artistic decisions. They work relentlessly out of love for the
band and for me. They keep tabs on our Facebook pages, including messages, and Instagram;
they edit pictures for magazines, contact radio stations, etc. This enables me to
respond promptly to my fan base. I wouldn’t do this well without their devotion.

**How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.**

You can find us at [www.mississippiheat.net](http://www.mississippiheat.net)

There you will find pictures, updates, interviews, CD purchase orders, reviews, 
and our history.

You can also find us on **Facebook**: [Mississippi Heat Blues Band](https://www.facebook.com/therealmississippiheat)

**By Olivia Peevas**

![Pierre Lacocque | Mississippi Heat](https://i0.wp.com/mississippiheat.net/wp-content/
uploads/2025/08/Pierre-by-CHUCK-OSGOOD.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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