The Kid is Alright-Gregory Alan Isakov

The first memory I have of Gregory Alan Isakov was from 1986. I was four and he was seven and we were trudging through a forest in the suburbs of Philadelphia right by our apartment building, with his two brothers and our parents trailing close behind. I was picking up bones and pretending they were from dinosaurs, and he kindly and graciously was going along with it. Seeing him 24 years later on stage at Sixth and I Synagogue in Washington, DC, I was amazed to see not a lot has changed. That kind and gracious personality shone through as he endeared the audience to him in between songs with his short, soft-spoken anectdotes. His love of nature that we both shared as children in the woods had not fleeted but was very much alive in his lyrics and melodies. He was still the same old Greg, except for one thing…he was a brilliant singer/songwriter, having toured with Ani DiFrano last year, now shooting into popularity faster than he could travel on his own national tour.

Gregory Alan Isakov’s sound is a hybrid of the best parts of things you’ve heard before, coming together, to form a new brilliant version. His Dylanesque aura and guitar rhythms combine with a voice and bittersweet lyrics reminiscent of Ryan Adams’ "Heartbreaker". At times you can even hear Springsteen’s raspy voice and Bright Eyes’ desperate sorrow.

All of this combined makes a perfect bathtub vinyl, something to set on your turntable, drop the needle down, run a bath, and let the lyrics and water consume you. Evelyn is my favorite and by far the most upbeat, but That Moon Song and The Stable Song are perhaps his most quintessential and adored. Enjoy this new artist and perhaps even catch him as he makes his way around the country on his “This Empty Northern Hemisphere” tour, continuing through August. Or, just listen to him as he performs That Moon Song below.

-Kendra Rubinfeld

Imogen Heap Live. Clumsy and Captivating.

If Amelia Bedelia was an incredibly talented musician, her name would be Imogen Heap and instead of being a maid, she would tour around the world frustrating, confusing, but ultimately captivating her audience. Last night at Sixth and I Synagogue in Washington, DC, the former-lead singer of ambient, indie-pop band, Frou Frou, performed to a full house under the dome. Starting right on time at 8pm on a Monday night, Heap, half-dressed, hair teased but not done, was welcomed onto the stage by screaming, elated fans. Mumbling into the microphone, Heap explained that she was just there to introduce her openers. Her system for live concerts is to give her band a chance to shine. For the next painful hour, the enthusiastic, elated crowd became morose and frustrated as her bandmate apparently named Back Ted-n-Ted did his irritating impression of the Pet Shop Boys. Next, Tim Exile looped noises until everyone felt like they were having a panic attack.



Finally, and only after a curiously long intermission, Imogen Heap came back on stage, now with her hair done and complete with a feathered headband. After mumbling nonsensical anectdotes in her heavy British accent, bumbling around the stage, bumping into various instruments and talking about how noises make her happy, she started to sing, and reclaimed her position as queen of the noise nerds, reminding the audience why we put up with all of this. Heap's voice is mesmerizing and watching her work the tens-of-thousands of dollars of electronic intruments on stage as she simultaneously looped bizarre sounds (bells, chimes and even a toy bird), made one appreciate her music even more.

After a few solo songs, she welcomed back Back Ted-n-Ted and Tim Exile to the stage as well as a drummer and even a local celoist (chosen from a talent contest online). The band chimed in on hits like Headlock and Just for Now, reconfirming that backup musicians should stay in the background, and when they do, they are pretty good.

If you haven't heard Imogen Heap's music, be sure to check her out - just go late and and stand a couple rows back so as to ensure your safety.

And, if you live in Washington, DC and have not yet discovered the intimate dome of Sixth and I as a fantastic place to see your favorite bands play, you are missing out. Check out there upcoming shows.

-Kendra Rubinfeld