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Band Members: Gregory Alan Isakov, Jeb Bows, Phil Parker, Jamie Mefford, Steve Varney, James Han
Major Discography: Rust Colored Stones (2003) Songs for October (2005) That Sea, The Gambler (2007) This Empty Northern Hemisphere (2009) The Weatherman (2013)
Biography: Gregory was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but came to the U.S. as a child and was raised in Philly. Around the age of sixteen, he began to tour with a band and ended up settling in Colorado, where he currently resides. From reading interviews and general biographies of Gregory, it seems like he has spent a shit ton of time traveling and adventuring around the world, which is very much reflected in his music. Some of his songs come across to me like paintings of landscape, but spoken through music. I find him an absolute joy to listen to - and his artistry and intention translates beautifully in live performances. A lovely quote from him: "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." If you want to delve more into the mind and past of Gregory, I recommend this article.
Genre: Indie folk
Sounds like/might like him if you like them: James Vincent McMorrow, Joshua James, William Fitzsimmons, Blind Pilot, M. Ward, Horse Feathers, Peter Bradley Adams, the Head and the Heart, Iron and Wine etc.
Suggested Listening:
This cover was a risky move since Iron&Wine does what he does so fucking well, and the song Trapeze Swinger is one of my absolute favorites of his, probably my very favorite, but goddamn he did it justice. He interpreted it so differently from how Sam Beam originally did, with more of a biting tone and atmosphere embodying the storytelling (Trapeze Swinger, after all, is an incredibly constructed tale woven into a beautiful, lullaby-type song). Please please check it out:
Physical reaction/live show/personal notes: I've seen Gregory twice - both times at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC, about a year apart and the most recent one being just this past winter, and both shows were fantastic. He puts on a very engaging show, but don't go into it looking for a dancing-grooving kind of good time. I spent the majority of his set standing quite still, watching his movement and FANTASTIC backing band (if he's still with all the same people, the violinist is unreal), and just soaking in the gorgeous lyrics and musicality that he presents to the audience. When he speaks to the crowd, he is humble and soft-spoken but witty; I fell a little bit in love with him by the end of both shows. There are definitely moments of jamming where the band gets really into it and the crowd starts to move around with the energy of the band igniting a rise in motion from the onlookers, but for the most part, be prepared to take it all in. Think City & Colour's show from Roo last year, if you made it to that. He's a joy to watch, and if you're a lyrics-focused kind of music listener and/or strong proponent of the indie folk genre, I can't imagine that you won't love this guy.
I'm bad at writing my thoughts into boxes/categories like that, but I have plenty to say about Gregory and my love for him and his music, so if you have any questions at all, please ask.
Considering you've found the need to respond to my threads as if you are threatened by me I offer you some peace my confused counterpart. May you find peace in your restless soul.
