www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 25 MUSIC Gregory Alan Isakov is known for his subdued hymns to America: its countryside, its stars, wind, rain and simple daily life. All that despite Isakov being born in South Africa—or maybe because of that. His family moved to the U.S. when he was 7 years old. Since then, he has been praising vast plains, the California sun or flocks of birds soaring over Pennsylvania’s valleys. He often invokes locations such as St. Louis, the Rockies, urban San Francisco or rural Virginia. In one of his songs, Isakov claims to know “all train stations.” But when he is not touring, he lives in Boulder, Colorado, where he has “a six-acre farm focused on small-scale, bio-intensive market gardening,” as he once told an interviewer. Isakov has released eight albums to date, with 2023’s Appaloosa Bones being the latest. While his first and second albums—Rust Colored Stones in 2003 and Songs for October two years later—included popular country and folk melodies, it’s his fourth album, This Empty Northern Hemisphere from 2009, that fully presents the originality of Isakov’s music. It feels simple and humble, and almost always nostalgic. One of his most recognized songs is the haunting “Big Black Car” from that fourth album. It ended up being used in a 2012 McDonald’s commercial. Isakov donated the proceeds to nonprofit organizations that help advance sustainable farming and nurture communities. This Empty Northern Hemisphere resonated in different media. “If I Go, I’m Goin’,” was featured in the television series Californication. The following album, The Weatherman from 2013, found success through beautiful lyrics and stories about love, such as “Saint Valentine” and “Suitcase Full of Sparks”—perhaps the only Isakov love stories that have happy endings. With time, Isakov started to use echo for his vocals, emphasizing his lyrics and demonstrating the fullness of his voice. In 2016, Isakov recorded an album with the Colorado Symphony. The effect was, naturally, monumental. Since then, Isakov has been experimenting with more sound, more instruments—he plays guitar, harmonica, banjo, piano, drums and the fiddle— and vocal authority. His pieces seem even bigger and more spacious. Catching Isakov live is an occasion to celebrate his journey through people, places and music. Gregory Alan Isakov 8pm Thursday, Jan 30. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $210-$520; sold out. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. GLENN ROSS Tour Guide Over the years, Gregory Alan Isakov has told many stories through music, changing all the while. By Agata Popęda Gregory Alan Isakov stops in Monterey on his current tour, before performing on larger stages with orchestras like the Chicago Philharmonic and Nashville Symphony. HWY 1 @ RIO RD, CARMEL, CA 93923 831.625.4106 THECROSSROADSCARMEL.COM CC Mry Cty Weekly CO-OP Ad Quarter Pg 2023.indd 1 11/21/23 11:19 AM 840 Broadway Avenue, Suite B-5, Seaside 1091 S. Main Street, Salinas • 157 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel www.myofrozenyogurt.com Welcome AT&T Fans! Bring in this ad and receive 20% off Can’t be combined with any other offers Expires 2/2/25 ’10-’24 Best Frozen Yogurt
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