Blues Virtuoso Brandon Isaak Unleashes Musical Magic: One Step Closer Album Out Now
With a lineup of songs that span the blues genre, Brandon Isaak unveiled his new album, One Step Closer, on September 22.
Throughout the album, Isaak explores classic iterations of the blues with the occasional modern twist. The record flirts with a vintage, New Orleans sound and incorporates an array of old-time instruments, from fiddle and banjo to washboard and lap steel. Through his collaborations with masterful veteran musicians like David Vest, Al Pease, Darryl Havers, and others, Isaak creates a rich, timeless culmination of sounds, styles, and themes with the power to transport the listener to the French Quarter and beyond.
“It was such an honour to work with these veteran master musicians and I could not be more happy with the final outcome of the recording,” Isaak said.
The first single from the album, “House Bound Blues,” was also released on September 22. The single highlights Isaak’s skillful songwriting and intentionally crafted lyrics:
Take it easy, we’ll see this through
Everybody talkin’ bout the dyin’ flu
Don’t you worry, we’ll be fine
Dim the lights, and open up the wine
The album’s themes and lyrics range from lost love and positive thinking to spirituals and “down and out” subject matter.
“I always try to write from the heart, no matter if I’m writing about hard times, funny situations or singing about the spirit,” said Isaak.
One Step Closer spotlights the best of Isaak: the Yukon-born artist is known for his preeminent songwriting skills and his mastery of multiple instruments, from guitar to banjo to harmonica and more. The new record pulls these elements together into an authentic, emotional journey bolstered by raw musical talent and an expert command of the blues.
Care to introduce yourself?
My name is Brandon Isaak I’m a Canadian roots and blues songster. I was born in Whitehorse, Yukon but now live on Vancouver Island. I have a deep passion for roots and blues music and try my best to keep traditional elements in my music with modern themes and some modern production ideas on my albums. I have 5 solo albums and never made records with commercial success on my mind. I have no problem getting some more recognition and more opportunity to perform and tour, but I won’t sell out and do what’s popular in most of the blues I hear on the radio today. I always include a spiritual song or two on my albums as I find it such a powerful style and heavy themes. It’s flirting with the other side and I try to bring comfort to folks who might find what they need in my songs. I’m not religious so it’s open-minded yet traditional spiritual music.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording “House Bound Blues.”
I wrote this song during the Covid lockdown the world went through. I know a lot of folks have written about this and it’s a topic that we can all relate to. I did it in an old New Orleans style with tuba, banjo, clarinet, and washboard. I love that old style of music and was honoured to have some fantastic older players record this song with me. I learned a lot as I always do when I play with other world-class musicians.
What’s it like being a musician on Vancouver Island?
Vancouver Island is an amazing and very inspiring place to live. There are so many awesome musicians living on the island and artists of all kinds in general. There are a lot of great clubs and a whole lot of festivals so one can keep quite busy without even leaving the island. The blues scene on the island is so much better than in the city of Vancouver. Don’t get me wrong, Vancouver has many amazing blues musicians but nowhere for them to play.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
Willie MacCalder was a piano player from Vancouver, BC. He had a band called Willie and the Walkers and he played piano in a band called Powder Blues. He came up to The Yukon where I was living at the time. We became great friends and he taught me so much about the blues, as well as how to go about playing it and the art of entertaining folks. I’ll always credit Willie Mac for his guidance and friendship. The latest artist who’s blown my mind is Al Pease. He’s an incredible musician and legendary Vancouver Island clarinet/tenor sax player. He’s in his late 89s but still on the scene playing his music and taking no prisoners.
You’ve been making music for a while now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Starting out today as a young musician, first, you must be nuts. These are tough times for musicians to make a living. It can be done, I’m living proof but venues and folks willing to go out are getting to be more scarce by the day. If you love music and are crazy enough to try to make a living, practice every day, start singing day one, and write as much as possible. Even if you’re a bad singer at first, you will get better as you slowly improve on your chosen instrument. Writing is a muscle that will get bigger and stronger the more you excessive it.