Juno-nominated artist Brandon Isaak is riding high on his newest album, One Step Closer
It’s been a while since we caught up with Brandon Isaak. Far from idling since our last conversation, the Whitehorse-born blues songster has been hard at work writing, recording and promoting his newest album, One Step Closer, the follow-up to 2021’s Modern Primitive, all the while still touring and performing, and even buying a house on Vancouver Island.
“It was such a treat to make this new album, and a real learning experience,” Isaak told What’s Up Yukon. “I have played in New Orleans many times and wanted to pull some of that vibe from the French Quarter into my new record.”
Calling upon some friends on the island who are well-versed in NOLA-style music, Isaak was able to create One Step Closer completely from the comfort of his new home, in which he’d built a music studio.
“I was blessed to have these older veteran musicians bless our crib with their amazing grasp on Dixie and old 1930s Jazz,” Isaak continued. “It’s always such a treat to see how these veteran musicians approach this music. I was floored with the wealth of knowledge and the skill these gentlemen played with. We’re blessed to have some of the best musicians in the country living here on the island. I went with old-school recording techniques like using just a couple ribbon microphones with vintage preamps and compressors. Just picking up the drums from afar really added to the feel and sound of the old records I love.”
One Step Closer also proved to be a lesson in trusting the process, as Isaak explained.
“My wife thought I was nuts when I told her the tuba, clarinet and washboard player were on their way over, but after she heard what we were doing, she really fell in love with the whole concept.”
Isaak finds he often writes about the same kinds of topics–things that make him tick. Often, the topics are vast, and Isaak says he likes the idea of finding “the silver lining in dark clouds.” Putting positive spins on difficulties in life is something he finds helps him and can hopefully help those his music reaches as well.
“Love and all that comes with it is always in the forefront, but things like spiritualism and everyday life are always in the mix,” he said. “This new album has three spiritual songs on it and that is more than I normally have on my records.”
The 1930s New Orleans direction of the new record sets it apart from Isaak’s previous releases.
“I can’t say it’s my best record to date but many have told me they think it is,” he admitted.
For Isaak, writing songs and practising guitar every day for hours is not a chore or something he needs to find motivation to do; rather, it’s an intrinsic need and what he lives for. Creating music clears his head and helps keep his emotions in check. Beyond music, Isaak also engages in painting, sculpting and African dance routines.
“I feel like I’m the most blessed man on Earth [in] being able to make art for a living and spreading positive, good vibes to the people,” he explained. “I think if you spend your whole life making art in any form, that’s a life well lived and you’re making the world a better place.”
Since Isaak’s wife and agent Cindy Mae took the reins, Isaak has seen great progress in his growth as a musician and performer, especially from a business perspective. He’s stopped playing in venues like pubs, restaurants and bars for free, and has been able to secure more paying gigs for invested audiences.
“Don’t get me wrong, I cut my teeth playing these kinds of gigs, and it’s important for young musicians to do these types of shows to learn their craft and hone their chops,” he said. “That being said, I’m playing a quarter as much now but making real money doing what I love. So we’ll keep moving in this direction. We’re playing more festivals and slowly but surely getting our music out there more and more.
“It’s all about the journey, and Cindy Mae and I love to travel together and are enjoying the ride. We’ve taken a break from playing overseas and are focussing on our home country of Canada right now. There is too much going on right here and we are working hard at breaking new ground every day.”
While Isaak says he’s his own worst critic and nothing ever seems good enough for him, he’s ultimately proud of how One Step Closer turned out and is grateful for the praise it’s receiving.
“I’m getting a lot of great response for my new song “What’s This World Coming To,” he said. “It deals with some of the problems of the world today like gun violence, lying politicians and residential schools.”
Though he lives on Vancouver Island, now, the yukon remains dear to Isaak’s heart, and he will never forget his roots.
“The Yukon will always be home, and I’m still thrilled to come back home and play for my hometown people.”.
To keep up with Brandon Isaak, visit brandonisaak.ca
