Although Gregory Alan Isakov’s music hasn’t risen to prominence until recent years, he’s actually been producing heartfelt songs since 2003. Originally born in South Africa, Gregory Alan Isakov moved to the U.S. as a child, where he’s been creating great music even since.
Isakov has been playing instruments, such as the acoustic guitar, banjo, and piano, for his entire life. However, he started his official stint as a musician at the age of 16, when he began performing with a traveling band in Philadelphia. He later moved to Colorado to study horticulture at Naropa University, where he started working as a gardener while simultaneously performing individual gigs (he also toured with Kelly Joe Phelps). This habit of pursuing both farming and music is something that would continue later on in his life; he currently runs Starling Farm in Boulder, CO in between producing studio albums.
He released his first album in 2003, titled Rust Colored Stones. He has subsequently released six more albums, with the most recent being produced in 2023. Due to the fact that he spends some much time in nature, his lyrics typically revolve around themes of peace and introspection that come from living amongst a wild environment. Isakov is known for his meaningful folk songs, which implement calm folk instrumentation and aim to provide meaningful connection with the listener.
This atmosphere continues into his concerts, which deviate from most typical musical performances with an emphasis on an intimate environment and genuine connection to attendees rather than large shows aimed at producing impressive spectacles.
His music is definitely on the slower side, so not exactly the perfect fit for a hype playlist, but rather serves as a grounding influence and an excellent way to clear your head. His gentle voice mixes with the rather simple folk instrumentation of banjos and guitars and the like to create just lovely, calming songs. In an age where celebrities are defined by how much of a splash they can make in their respective industry, I find it refreshing that Isakov simply does what he loves – gardening and creating music – without really bothering anyone else.
My Top Ten:
- “Amsterdam” (The Weatherman)
- “Big Black Car” (This Empty Northern Hemisphere)
- “freeway searching” (songs for October)
- “Salt and the Sea” (That Sea, The Gambler)
- “Light Year” (This Empty Northern Hemisphere)
- “One Day” (Appaloosa Bones)
- “San Luis” (Evening Machines)
- “Before the Sun” (Appaloosa Bones)
- “Was I Just Another One” (Evening Machines)
- “The Moon Was Red and Dangerous” (That Sea, The Gambler)
For fans of Noah Kahan, The Lumineers, and Jack Johnson.
