Biography
Gregory Alan Isakov has been described by Boulder Weekly, "Strong, subtle...a lyrical genius" and has been compared to his influences, Bruce Springsteen, Kelly Joe Phelps, Iron & Wine and Nick Drake. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised in Philadelphia, Isakov moved to Colorado at the end of the last decade. He recently was named 2008's Best Acoustic/Folk Artist by the Denver Westword (Audience Award) and was named by the Denver Westword as the Best Singer/Songwriter 2007 (Critics Award). Isakov is also the 2007 winner of the Telluride Troubador Songwriting Competition. Gregory Alan Isakov has shared the stage with numerous artists such as Ani Difranco, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Richie Havens, and Fiona Apple. He has appeared at music festivals such as South by Southwest, Falcon Ridge Folk Fest, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Monolith at Red Rocks. On the heals of his latest full length release, "That Sea, The Gambler", Gregory Alan Isakov tours as a solo artist as well as with his band, The Freight. Recordings available at cdbaby.com and iTunes.
"Colorado loves traditionalists, and it's Gregory Alan Isakov's unquestionable purity that's elevated him above the infinite army of singer-songwriters. Rather than another would-be Jeff Buckley or Will Oldham, Isakov uses 'That Sea, The Gambler' to lay bare an elegant simplicity that's caked in dust and an utter lack of pretension. Unadulterated, loosely woven folk music will always strike a twang in Denver's soul, and 'That Sea' is one of the best this area's seen in ages." -The A.V. Club
"Gregory Alan Isakov proudly calls himself a folk artist, and while that's broadly accurate, it's also a tad limiting. Because while some music fans might not consider themselves fans of "folk," they still bow at the alters of Jeff Tweedy, Andrew Bird and Jolie Holland.
And now you can add Isakov to that list."- Denver Post
"Gregory Alan Isakov - That Sea, The Gambler -- Americana, Folk -- Right from the first refrains of the first two tracks, it's evident that there is a reason why Gregory is recognized as "Best Male Singer-songwriter 2007" (Westword). When an artist can shush a room full of jaded peers and media types, as Gregory did at the Westword music showcase VIP nomination party recently, it's a major nod to the talent he posseses as a performer. He's appeared on David Dye's World Cafe and is quickly rising in the ranks of independent modern folk artists. A very highly recommended release."- KRFC Colorado
"...his music coasts on the same subtle strength and gravity that Bruce Springsteen built 'Nebraska' on. Hints of everyone from Steve Earle to Gillian Welch also creep into Isakov's twangy, shaded folk, but it's his absolute ease-the man sounds like he's swimming through his own songs-that makes his new 'That Sea, The Gambler' such a stunning disc." -Westword
Instrumentation
Gregory mostly plays solo, including guitar, harmonica, and dobro.
Occasionally accompanied by his band "The Freight":
Jon Souza: tenor banjo
Jen Gilleran: drums, cajon, percussion
Jeb Bows: fiddle
Phil Parker: cello
Discography
Songs from a Cold Room (2001)
Rust Colored Stones (2003)-"february" streams on XM satellite radio, airplay on NPR, (available at cdbaby.com)
Songs For October (2005) E.P- streams on whole wheat radio, Alaska. available at cdbaby.com
That Sea, The Gambler (2007)
Links
| http://www.thefreight.net |