How Gregory Alan Isakov Writes A Song

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Gregory Alan Isakov is a mysterious musician who consistently writes incredible contemporary folk music. Master and a Hound is an example of his brilliant approach to songwriting. This is how he does it.
Thanks to Jamie Mefford, Sarah Levin, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Suitcase Town Music.
#gregoryalanisakov #videoessay

[@MrAflac9916]

This Empty Northern Hemisphere is one of the greatest albums of all time.

[@lyriclovercrafts]

I agree.

[@acslater9118]

Facts

[@alfredgrinneby2434]

THE

[@Hallorenzo]

It is my favorite album

[@danieljpew]

Strong agree

[@matthewwebb2579]

Gregory changed my whole musical taste with one song. I was always into alternative rock or rap, and now folk is one of my favorite genres because of how authentic the music is. I've seen Gregory twice in concert now and there are many more too come. So many beautiful songs, Astronaut is undoubtedly my favorite though, sometimes I feel like it was made for me.

[@ruot286]

I couldn’t agree more

[@nicolel.2398]

Almost none of Gregory’s songs have choruses, I absolutely love it.

[@princemyshkin9221]

“But you’ll love her til it all goes dark, you’ll love her even after that.” He’s unparalleled in modern songwriting and rivals the greatest the English language has given us.

[@mkmiller5042]

Its hard for me to put into words how important Gregory’s music is to me. Every. Single. Song. He has ever released has a special place in my heart.

[@2b-coeur]

y e s i discovered him during a serious climacteric in my life too, so so much personal meaning/memories are layered into the lyrics i feel like i've known his songs for years

[@treydrop]

yes just yes all his music is too beautiful to be true

[@Berretotube]

Beautiful. I relate 100%. My fave artist of all time, among MANY. Ray La Montagne a close second ❤

[@thereallibs7746]

His writing style teaches that profound music isn't always up front, it settles in your skin like a chilling whisper.

[@arianaperez5883]

He’s one of the most underrated musicians from this era. He’s a gem ❤️

[@cliffhall97]

I've watched an embarrassing amount of youtube videos in my lifetime and this was one of my favorites. Not even lying. Please do more on GAI.

[@throughline]

thanks so much!

[@jayvh7417]

@@throughline u should

[@ifyougiveagirlahammer3370]

@@jayvh7417 Agreed!

[@Broteese]

Same.

[@henriquelouro4334]

Same here! I just discovered this video and this channel and i can't stop watching it.

[@lcampbe6]

It is so hard to pick a favorite of Gregory’s songs but if I was forced to, this would be it. I’m glad so many others agree

[@sarceexplores]

Glad you found a favourite, I just stopped trying to find one! All his songs are beautiful, enchanting and powerful in their own rights. Be it "Big Black Car", "Black and Blue" or this, all have a special feeling to each of them!

[@tangibleplanetvisualmedia1138]

San Louis is my favorite by far, if someone asked me to describe my usual state of mind, I'd play them that song

[@johnreycortes3374]

Mine is '''If i go, I'm Going" and "Big Black Car".

[@nox6948]

San luis is my fav

[@rajmalla5310]

the moon song and caves is good too

[@MattColbo]

Dude this is a fantastic video, really, wild it only has 3.5k views, would love to see more from you my man :)

[@throughline]

thanks matt! love your content. almost done with a cut of my feature doc, then coming right back here :)

[@MattColbo]

@@throughline awesome to hear my man, may I ask what this feature doc is? i'm intrigued lol also, thank you :)

[@throughline]

it’s a heart-led verite film about a small town in rural NY, and their beloved river..

[@2077market1]

@@MattColbo I just saw your vids and now that I see you are a Gregory Alan isakov I subbed so fast!

[@MattColbo]

@@2077market1 hahaha too kind

[@sunl6539]

He has such a great way of story telling that is specific enough to give you imagery and detail, but still enough space for you to fill in your own meanings and stories. Personal favourite is Saint Valentine, which leaves so much room for you to put yourself and imagine your own tale; but, it still sets up a theme of lost love and loss of home. Just amazing

[@jordanybarra6978]

His music makes me feel more wholesome in all experiences I have and makes every song I here feel like I’m living in a beautiful novel

[@roblamb153]

I like his songs "Words" and "Astronaut" a lot as well as this one, and appreciate the analysis of his music here. Gregory's poetic imagination and pathos are what move me mostly and his acoustic musical style is mesmerizing. He is a compelling, sometimes haunting artist of words and melody for sure.

[@rahilsurti6859]

Wow I thought I was the only one who's favorite song is master and a hound. So nice to see there are people who appreciate this masterpiece

[@manikaantsuryan]

Beautiful work in breaking this haunting song down. It's my fav too. It hits you, it stops your mind, it stops your legs. You're right. I brings you to the present moment in a flash.

[@throughline]

truth. thank you for your support.

[@navybloo]

Wow dude, this video is no less of a piece of art. Absolutely loved this

[@lyriclovercrafts]

This is the most incredible song. All of Gregory’s music is a true euphoric experience for me....but this song, it’s my favorite. To hear him perform it live was among the greatest moments of my life. I love your thoughts on it and really enjoyed your video.

[@throughline]

thanks so much for this lovely thought.

[@robynrose3328]

Gregory Alan’s songwriting is poetic beautiful and raw. Amsterdam, The Universe, Big Black Car, the Stable song, I could go on and on 🙏🏻

[@paulovemx2222]

You explained perfectly why I like Gregory's music, because it's kind of unpredictable becausebit isn't constructed in the same way most songs are, I love when he sings one line only one time. Master and a hound is overwhelmingly beautiful, there's something haunting about that song.

[@codytriesstuff]

One of, if not my favorite, artist of all time. He is just so incredibly unique and consistently powerful.

[@codytriesstuff]

I have started my days listening to his discography from 8-10 every morning for 4 years now, and not one song has worn out its welcome. I cant say this for anyone else, ever.

[@Low-Fi-SCOTT]

What I love about Isakov is that it seems his fans all have their own song in his catalogue we consider a masterpiece. My favorites are All Shades of Blue for the words and The Stable Song with the Colorado symphony mesmerizes me every time

[@beefstroganoff1774]

Oh yes, and when you hear that someone's favourite isn't what yours is, you can't even argue, because every song of his is amazing.

[@robertklem2638]

Great video man, can't wait to see more!

[@nora_fluffy]

Keep creating content like this, love it !

[@katjahuizinga9053]

Love this !!! It’s brilliant!

[@ericaaguirre6881]

This!!!!! Ugh everything I’ve felt about his music. It just takes you to a different place. He’s even better live!

[@irishpaul3129]

That was beautiful, thanks. You deserve a lot more subscribers!

[@jizzysglizzy2605]

My first record was This Empty Northern Hemisphere and it’s the most beautiful album I own. Every song bleeds into one another, all you can do is just sit there and listen to the whole thing. Gregory is beyond talented in his guitar ways.

[@CFALLIS0002]

Great video, man! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this one.

[@jbjb7956]

Love it man proud of you ❤️

[@milesbaigent4534]

It truly is such a great track. Everyone should listen to his full catalogue, including his latest masterpiece 'Appaloosa Bones'. Also his cover of the Lumineers 'Salt and the Sea' is truly wonderful.

[@RevashtuYT]

Please make more!!! I love GAI and have been learning little by little all his catalog on guitar. He reignited my spark to play again. And when my daughter was a newborn I played her Amsterdam. She's 3 now and she still loves it when I play it for her.

[@Humnbrd]

Very well put together video!

[@abishekthapa8562]

A warm video for my cold heart. Thank you throughline!

[@bbrandow]

Fantastic video. Well done!!

[@clara-pi9yv]

He's one of my favourites singers, he makes art with his songs. He's just great.

[@DaphneGampel]

I loved this video! Thank you for sharing and shedding light on Isakov's work

[@MeredithKuntzschArt]

Really enjoyed it! Love Gregory Alan Isakov’s music. Thank you for this video.

[@rosetheline6357]

This is truly a video I've never anticipated to find on KZbin and yet it's what's really is missing on here. Great video! Keep on doing these highly thorough and well made videos. And please do more on Gregory Alan Isakov (Amsterdam, Words). It's what brought me here :)

[@sciencefictionisreal1608]

[@italoluan2015]

Such a great content man, keep it up!

[@colsoncombs9727]

This is beautiful. Thanks for making it!

[@parkerjohnson3122]

Absolutely beautiful video. You have a very calming voice that fits very well with his music.

[@the_dancerjen1773]

This was beautiful and I'm glad I stumbled upon it. Such a lovely way of breaking down his process, which is still yet, a bit of a mystery. Gregory is magical.

[@funnyinnit3216]

Glad! I came across this video.❤️

[@betor99]

Amazing video Gregory is by far my favorite artist and just like you said it always leaves you searching for more and I absolutely love it, watching him live is a true spectacle

[@williamhughes1825]

This is a wonderful video. Thank you so much for making it. Subscribed. Good job on you.

[@Ran6ger]

This is a very well made video for only having 10K views... Keep it up man! Very well made video!

[@AlecLaCasseArt]

Stunning video!!! The most helpful video on songwriting i've seen.

[@zebravizionz8152]

So amazing to hear someone who can break down his genius and just appreciates what Gregory has done. An amazing video about such an unknown talent. Much love

[@andricmr]

Great video mate! Gregory is one of my fav singer/songwriters ever. Love how you analysed the song, it gives the impression there is a plan behind the song while there isnt. For me thats the magic of music. Gregory is a big inspiration.

[@jordangomez6378]

Really great videos!

[@kevinward5929]

Thank you for putting words to something I have been feeling ever since I began listening to Gregory! It is difficult to explain, but I always reach for his albums when I need to reconnect with myself and reflect.. something truly special about his writing ability

[@coolmatrix15]

Quality content 😭😭 I was just listening to his song If i go, I'm going and then i found this.

[@GrimVanhall]

That was an amazing video to watch and even live thru

[@JuannyBoy2023]

This song will always be a most special song for me personally; hearing Gregory play this in a coffee shop up in Fort Collins, meeting him, meeting Jamie playing this song at Ubi... and recognizing the beauty of it. It is a masterpiece and means so much to me. Thank you for the video; it’s a nice analysis of form and hypothesis into why his songs are great.

[@autumnsentry]

This is the song. It’s the one that’s effected me most in life. I can’t really find words to describe my feelings for it. I’m glad to find it’s effected others in the similar way. Good video, very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@johnmcnamara5586]

Wow! What a privilege to come across a video this well structured!

[@gerrymiller4523]

Wonderful film like video. Enjoyed it immensely.

[@JELLYBELLY7733]

What a video, the way you dissect one of the most complicated yet simple song writers of all time, the way not just he sings about the smallest things is incredible, and the way you interpret these small bits and pieces that he has gifted is incredible, thank you

[@RetroMarmotPops]

Man, this is so cool!

[@CalMedina]

This video is really great! Hope you could do more Gregory songs in the future.

[@sandmoon4335]

Thank you so much for making this.

[@throughline]

you're welcome, thank you for watching.

[@jackson.perkins]

Nice video. Very solid

[@cadenholmes4411]

This is such an incredible explanation for such a beautiful song. Thank you!

[@aaliyahmaurice]

Such a beautiful analysis of such a beautiful song ❤

[@joshuabucy1814]

This is a lovely video. Fantastic analysis and hands down my favorite GAI song. The version with the CO Symphony Orchestra is just baffling at how good it is. One very polite note, I'm almost certain he pronounces his name with a long I. Cheers.

[@GnomeWalls]

I'd just like to say what a wonderful video you’ve made. The editing and all were done so well. Great content.

[@throughline]

thank you for the compliment, means a lot.

[@iangall76]

This is really spectacular for two reasons: First - Finding more people that know of Gregory and his gifts is like knowing a special secret that makes your life more enriched and now you share the more with other people. Second - To find someone else who thinks that there's something just magical about how Gregory writes. It's an odd experience when you like a song that you might not really know what it's about but it's about how it makes you feel. Master and the Hound is like that and though it's hard to pick just one more from his amazing catalog, I'll throw out there The Stable Song w/ the Colorado Symphony: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6LccqCjetCJrKs

[@antoniotacsan]

Thank you for such a beautiful insight!!!

[@throughline]

thanks Antonio!

[@redchan69yearsago72]

I love that some of the clips are from San Luis 🥰

[@bethderrick3975]

Beautifully said.

[@pitbullm6746]

I'm so happy that I saw him live in Zurich. My favourite artist of all time. His music is heaven for me. Thanks for Video

[@smooky528]

I love this song a lot , thank u

[@vishal3217]

Make more videos, I can't wait to watch more of these.

[@guyvaknin16]

this video made me feel a strong sensation, I teared up your points were insightful, inspiring and brought with a fine taste of cinematography and storytelling. thank you for making and sharing this

[@SophiaOliveira222]

his music is basically poetry

[@shauryapandey7808]

Thank you for introducing me to him

[@morogers3318]

This was just terrific. Great song and wonderful breakdown. Eager to see more of your obviously good taste.

[@throughline]

thanks, Mo. coming soon, promise :)

[@sirjsph26]

Man!! You should continue making videos!!

[@jakeh4996]

This is gold. Fantastically composed video. No words. Thank you for your time on this!

[@throughline]

you're so welcome. i'm so glad you liked it.

[@manar4120]

Thank you so much for this amazing video, goosebumps the entire time

[@throughline]

thanks so much Manar

[@parkerjohnson3122]

I continue to come back to this video every once and a while. You are awesome.

[@throughline]

thank you!

[@mayatantra2640]

this has brought me to tears, what a perfect video. thank you for sharing your heart

[@throughline]

thanks for your feedback. means a lot.

[@Loaf_the_III]

you read my mind. i would really want to relive the time i listened to Master and a hound 🥺

[@perezlf25]

Truly defines life on a interpersonal level, luv it...

[@TheDylanjer]

I must also add that this is such an amazing video essay about something so beautiful and underappreciated I come back to this video whenever I feel down at times

[@Blessed77792]

Came across your channel today - your storytelling and linking different material to support your key message is just ‘next level!’ PLEASE post more soon , I’m like...I need to see more material from this talented guy 🙂

[@throughline]

thanks for the wonderful comment, Elise. i appreciate it.

[@cobwebdragon4611]

what a great analysis. i've loved gregory alan isakov and this sing especially, its great hearing someone talk about it

[@alanb4942]

Great video, was a pleasure to watch, learn a few new things and share time appreciating the work of an artist who seems to be able to capture a universal feeling of awe so beautifully. Keep up the good work :)

[@throughline]

thanks, Alan

[@tyronekooyman6814]

This song is sublime. It's brought me to tears, several times. I'd love it if you could also discuss "That Moon Song". It hits home for me. 💭

[@drewbeedoobedo8795]

Great job! praying he comes out with new music soon. Was planning on his concert in AZ this year before COVID :(

[@throughline]

i hope so.. evening machines was so good

[@summersbythesea4261]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. My boyfriend and I fell in love to it as we were stargazing on an ocean liner in the middle of the sea. The ship had turned off all its lights specifically for this purpose, and looking out, we couldn’t make out anything except for the stars in the vast blackness of the sea and the sky. It was like we were in our own microcosm, sailing through the infinite universe.

[@throughline]

summersbythesea thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

[@espelazare]

I agree with everything. You have described it wonderfully.

[@vortac4995]

wow this video was one of the most well written and expressed thoughts ive ever seen love the gregory's music so much

[@throughline]

thanks so much

[@austinbirk127]

Found you through the NF video. I was so intrigued I had to watch this one. You my friend have an incredible talent of being able to explain your thoughts and feelings like I have never heard before. I have subscribed and turned on all notifications! Keep making this high quality content please!

[@throughline]

thank you so much Austin. it’s been a strange journey to get here, but grateful for all of it. it’ll be people like you that encourage me to keep it going!

[@mikecherk2408]

This video was so well articulated, and really stayed true to the spirit of Gregory's music. And it was uploaded on my Birthday! Thanks for the cool experience.

[@throughline]

thank you Mike 🙏

[@colleensarmento9660]

I saw in a video that gregory wrote this song after a friend gave him a snow globe of the golden gate bridge saying that they arrived in san fran and they were waiting for gregory to move there. But he ended up not being able to go because his father was really sick. He said he wrote this song about being a 25 year old living with his parents and feeling like life wasnt going the way it should.

[@throughline]

i think this is correct.

[@poooopman69]

Not even finished with the video but its very well made you deserve more subs!

[@emilio556]

Such a beautiful video and analysis. You deserve millions of subscribers!

[@throughline]

thank you for the support!

[@greggbelt4470]

Sir, you are awesome! Thanks for putting that together.

[@throughline]

appreciate the support

[@kenyasentanar9571]

THATS ITTTT, THATS WHY I LOVE GREG SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEOOOO