Friday Evening: Gregory Alan Isakov

Gregory Alan Isakov, 34, is a singer-songwriter.  He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, he emigrated to the United States as a child, and was raised in Philadelphia. He began touring with a band at the age of 16. He now resides in Colorado.  Gregory Alan Isakov has spent his entire life travelling. His travels have impacted his songwriting with his songs telling stories of miles and landscapes and the search for a sense of place.  Music has been a constant force in his life, as he says, “I’ve always had this sense about music and writing, that I sort of have to do it. Like I’ll implode without it. I probably wouldn’t do it if I felt any other way.”  He has been described as “strong, subtle, a lyrical genius,” but the source of his writing often remains a mystery to him. “My songs have nothing to do with me; they have a life of their own. A lot of times I won’t know what a song is about when I’m writing it. It just has a certain feeling about it.”  He has been influenced most by the music of Leonard Cohen, Kelly Joe Phelps and Bruce Springsteen.  When he is not on the road or writing, he is usually in his garden. A degree in horticulture might seem contradictory to a life spent in motion, but Isakov finds balance in the quiet concentration of the work, creating roots that keep him connected to home.  His new album, The Weatherman, was recorded mostly in solitude outside the quiet mountain town of Nederland, Colorado over the course of a year and a half. “I wanted to make something that felt genuine. We recorded everything with analogue gear and mixed it on tape, which gives the songs a raw and vulnerable feeling.”  The title Isakov chose for the record reflects the nature of his external surroundings as much as his inner experiences. References to the weather are a reoccurring theme in Isakov’s writing, but there is a deeper meaning behind the name.  “To me, the idea of a weatherman is really powerful. There’s a guy on television or on the radio telling us the future, and nobody cares. It’s this daily mundane miracle, and I think the songs I chose are about noticing the beauty in normal, everyday life.”  (Sources: Gregory Alan Isakov Website and wiki)

Isakov’s Albums on iTunes: “The Sea, The Gambler” and “The Weatherman“