Gregory Alan Isakov
Isakov in 2015
Isakov in 2015
Background information
Birth nameGregory Alan Isakov
Born (1979-10-19) October 19, 1979
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Websitegregoryalanisakov.com

Gregory Alan Isakov (born October 19, 1979) is a South African–born American singer and songwriter currently based in Boulder, Colorado.[2] Isakov and his family immigrated to the United States in 1986 and he was raised in Philadelphia.[3]

Isakov's music combines indie and folk, featuring instruments such as the guitar and banjo. He is widely known for the songs "Words," "The Stable Song," "Big Black Car," "If I Go, I'm Goin' " and "San Luis." Isakov has released seven albums. His most recent album, Appaloosa Bones, was released on August 18, 2023.[4][5]

Life and career

Isakov was born in Johannesburg on October 19, 1979. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1986 during the apartheid era because his father Nissen started an electronic-engineering business in Philadelphia.[6][7] His grandfather was a Lithuanian Jew who fled to South Africa during World War II.[8]

In Philadelphia, he began touring with a band at the age of 16.[2] Isakov later moved to Colorado to study horticulture at Naropa University.[9] Isakov had played instruments his whole life, but began a life as a professional musician playing occasional gigs while also working as a gardener.[7] His musical career became more serious when he began touring with Kelly Joe Phelps.[9]

In 2003, Isakov self-released his first album Rust Colored Stones.[10] In 2005, he self-released Songs for October. In 2007, he self-released That Sea, the Gambler.[11] Later that year, he was named "Best Male Songwriter" by Westword Magazine.[12] In 2009, Isakov self-released This Empty Northern Hemisphere which featured vocals by Brandi Carlile on five tracks and a cover of Leonard Cohen's "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong".[11] In 2013, Isakov created his independent label Suitcase Town Music on which he released The Weatherman.[13][14]

In 2016, Isakov released Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony, an album of eleven of his earlier songs orchestrated by several composers and recorded with the full Colorado Symphony.[6][15] On October 5, 2018, he released Evening Machines on his Suitcase Town Music label.[5]

Isakov has been influenced by the music of Leonard Cohen, Kelly Joe Phelps, Iron & Wine and Bruce Springsteen.[16]

Acclaimed for his lyrics, his music often explores themes such as nature, introspection, and personal experiences within the folk and indie genres.[12] He has played at many music festivals around the United States, Canada and Europe. At these musical festivals, Isakov has shared the stage with numerous touring artists such as Rodrigo y Gabriel, Alexi Murdoch, and Fiona Apple[17][12]

In November 2019, Isakov's album Evening Machines was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[18]

The song "Big Black Car" from the 2009 album This Empty Northern Hemisphere was featured in a 2012 McDonald's commercial. Isakov donated the proceeds to non-profit organizations that help further sustainable farming and nurture community.[17]

Discography

  • Rust Colored Stones (2003)
  • Songs for October (2005)
  • That Sea, the Gambler (2007)
  • This Empty Northern Hemisphere (2009)
  • The Weatherman (2013)
  • Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony (2016)
  • Evening Machines (2018)
  • Appaloosa Bones (2023) – No. 81 US Billboard 200[19]

References

  1. ↑ Ismail, Noora. "Gregory Alan Isakov: The Indie Folk Singer Building His Own Off-Grid Paradise". Huck. TCOLondon Publishing. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Monger, James. "Artist Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  3. ↑ Van Leuven, Chris (January 2, 2013). "Deep Music From Up In The Hills". Elevation Outdoors Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Gregory Alan Isakov". gregoryalanisakov.com.
  5. 1 2 "Gregory Alan Isakov: Evening Machines". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Lacroix, Kate (January 1, 2017). "Gregory Alan Isakov's Dad Beams as His Son Plays With the Colorado Symphony". Westword. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Gregory Alan Isakov". P O T F. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  8. ↑ Gregory Alan Isakov: The Passenger, The Land, And The Ritual No Depression
  9. 1 2 Oloizia, Jeff (June 3, 2016). "A Singer-Songwriter Who Puts His Garden First". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Rust Colored Stones – Gregory Alan Isakov | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Gregory Alan Isakov – This Empty Northern Hemisphere (Suitcase Town) | Northern Sky Magazine". northernskymag.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 "Gregory Alan Isakov – The Vogue". Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  13. ↑ BWW News Desk. "Gregory Alan Isakov Comes To Boulder's Fox Theater". Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Gregory Alan Isakov album review, 'The Weatherman'". Washington Post. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony Album Released Today, Receives National Critical Acclaim". Colorado Symphony. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Biography". gregoryalanisakov.com. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Gregory Alan Isakov interview: 'It's a scary time to be alive'". The Independent. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  18. ↑ "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List". November 20, 2019.
  19. ↑ @billboardcharts (August 28, 2023). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved August 29, 2023 – via Twitter.
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