Walkin’ With the Blues: Brandon Isaak walks into BATBOW on October 3

Commentator/Courier Photo Courtesy of Brandon Isaak

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Brandon Isaak is a Canadian blues musician with more than 37 years of hitting the road and singing on stages. His deep voice and even deeper respect for traditional blues music have earned him scores of fans, along with a 2024 Juno nomination for Blues Album of the Year and four nominations at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards. With more than a dozen European tours completed and a Western Canadian tour in progress to celebrate his latest album, Walkin’ With the Blues, now is the ideal time to get your ticket to see Isaak perform at Blues At the Bow on October 3.

Isaak has music in his soul.

“I’ve always aspired to be a musician,” he says. “Growing up, my father was a full-time musician and did that his whole life. My folks had a blues club for most of my life, and I was in the house band. We flew many blues artists up for three week engagements and played five nights a week. I got a real education on many different kinds of blues. I started playing 40 years ago and never looked back. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have been able to make a good living all these years doing what I love. Making art in any form is a blessing and brings joy to the world.”

He has had many highlights over his long musical career. Isaak explains, “Touring with my father’s band was a real education and something I’ll never forget. I played drums in his group originally, and then moved on to guitar. Touring across China a couple times and Western Europe 13 or 14 times was also an eye opener and something I hold dear to my heart. Making solo albums and collaborating with other great artists is also something I’ll always look back on with the fondness of memories and hold close to my heart.”

When asked what inspires him, he is happy to note, “Making art in any form makes me tick! I’m a sculptor, a painter, and really love to try my hand at any form of art. It’s all about the creative process and making something out of nothing.”

 “I always have a message in my songs and lyrics, and I hear over and over again how my music has changed lives, inspired them, and brought them comfort in times of need,” he continues. “Hearing things like this confirms I’m doing work that the Gods approve of, and I feel helping people is key. Sometimes it’s more political or spiritual, and sometimes it’s just lessons I’ve learned over my life. I try to shed some light for others in a similar position.”

Isaak has eight albums on Bandcamp (brandonisaak1.bandcamp.com) that show how his range evolved over the years.

“I’m always learning and growing as a musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. I’d need at least 1,000 years to try and get a good grasp on everything I want to do,” he says of his musical journey. “I’m finding I’m more in tune with spirit when I play music now. It’s less about trying to sound like someone else and more about pointing my music to the angels and God, for lack of a better term. Every day I learn something new and I’m finding the better I get, the less notes I play. From my fingers to God’s ears.”

He’s excited to come to Bow Island in October and meet fellow music lovers.

“It would be great to see the good folks of Bow Island out to see and hear our show. I have always had a gift to connect to an audience and make each show a personal experience. I never do the same show twice, and I love to act and engage with the people at the show. Most of the musicians I’m bringing have never played in Bow Island, so we’re all very excited to play there. We have an all-star band and will be playing a big variety of blues styles for the people, so it’s not just a one dimensional show. It’s more of a journey.”

Learn more at www.brandonisaak.ca. Tickets are available at http://www.bluesatthebow.com.