PHOTOS: Gregory Alan Isakov, Leif Vollebekk in Boston, MA 11.16.18
On Friday night, indie-folk artist Gregory Alan Isakov took a breath in between tending to his 3-acre farm to mesmerize the local folk lovers of Boston, following their opener, indie folk artist Leif Vollebekk.
Armed with an impressive arsenal of instruments and a 6-piece ensemble, Isakov came to tell fans stories of hurt and heart, of curious wonderment, travel, laborious love, and even immigration. “Silver winged, broken English,” Isakov sings. “Boys they smoke, talk and joke, above the water; New York lady, holding in her heavy hand, sacred lantern, guiding dawn…”
For this tour, Isakov debuted his newest album, Evening Machines, which came out October 5th, 2018, in addition to old fan favorites like Big Black Car, from his 2009 album, This Empty Northern Hemisphere. During the show, fans swayed on their feet, closed their eyes, quietly sang along, and listened with fascination as Isakov left no work to the imagination, painting scenes that are very likely right out of his own life. Isakov, when he is not making music, tends to his farm from which he sells the crops he grows. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Isakov and his family immigrated to the united states in 1986, and he has spent much of his life traveling and making music. His first self-produced album Rust Colored Stones entered the world in 2003.
Evening Machines conjures nothing less than consistent mystery in sounds listeners feel nostalgic for, perhaps because at the core of Isakov’s words are feelings fans identify with: Weariness, majesty, loss, and love.
Purchase Gregory Alan Isakov’s new album Evening Machines by clicking HERE.
Photos: Gregory Alan Isakov, Leif Vollebekk at Royale in Boston, MA – 11/16/18:
