Folk Musician Gregory Alan Isakov Talks New Album Backstage At Red Rocks

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Photo: Gregory Alan Isakov Red Rocks 2018
Gregory Alan Isakov performs at Red Rocks on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The folk musician released a new album, "Evening Machines," on Friday, Oct. 5.

Folk musician Gregory Alan Isakov has a lot of range, even within a single song. He can slide from majestic waves of strings and percussion to bare, almost-whispered vocals.

The singer-songwriter released his latest studio album "Evening Machines," on Friday. Isakov recorded it in his home studio, located in a barn on his three-acre farm in Boulder County. Isakov talked to Colorado Matters in a dressing room at Red Rocks before a sold-out show.

Isakov recorded 35 songs for the album, but only 12 made the final cut. Some just didn't fit in with the storyline of this record, he said. The first track "Berth" reflects on the plight of immigrants. Isakov and his family moved to the United States from South Africa during apartheid.

When he's not on tour, Isakov does actually farm his land. He times his planting and harvesting schedule to work around his music demands.