Gregory Alan Isakov, the Freight, Bela Karoli, Paper Bird

  The Onion, 97.3 KBCO, New Belgium & Twist & Shout present
GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV & THE FREIGHT, BELA KAROLI AND PAPER BIRD
w/ The Wheel
Gregory Alan Isakov has been described by Boulder Weekly, "Strong, subtle...a lyrical genius" and has been compared to his influences, Bruce Springsteen, Kelly Joe Phelps, Iron & Wine and Nick Drake. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised in Philadelphia, Isakov moved to Colorado at the end of the last decade. He has made a rising impact on the music scene and has been recently awarded Denver Westword's Best Singer/Songwriter 2007, and 2007 winner of Telluride Troubador Competition. Gregory Alan Isakov has shared the stage with numerous touring artists such as Ani Difranco, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Richie Havens, and Fiona Apple. He has appeared at music festivals such as South by Southwest, Falcon Ridge Folk Fest, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Monolith at Redrocks. On the heals of his latest full length release, "That Sea, The Gambler", Gregory Alan Isakov has toured as a solo artist and with his band, the freight. recordings available at cdbaby.com and iTunes.

This unorthodox trio combines an upright bass, mechanical electronic percussion, two women singing, violin and accordion to produce music undefined by genre. Bela Karoli swelled from a solo project to a trio when Julie Davis (bass, soft instruments, vocals) began playing with Brigid McAuliffe (accordion, vocals) and Carrie Beeder (violin and cello) in the summer of 2006. Bela Karoli’s music has been described as nakedly beautiful, gorgeously affected, stunning and emotionally resonant, but most listeners agree that it’s hard to classify the band’s compelling mix of modern electronica with old-world acoustic music.

Standing firm in no existing genre, Paper Bird's backbone is their songwriting, musicianship, and a general allergy to all limitations and trends. With six members, and no leader, this band is pulled in every direction imaginable, but thanks to their unique instrumentation, this Colorado-based group never reminds you of anyone but themselves. Their "sound" is achieved by the opposing of the multitudinous influences of the members and the intimacy of their mutual collaboration. The acoustic guitar and banjo dance rhythmically together beneath three singers who weave a basket out of harmony. While trombone adds texture, bass, melody and occasionally, sound effects. Without bass or drums, the rhythm section is a product of the ingenuity of Paul DeHaven's guitar work (which often includes bass duties), Tyler Archuletta's trombone wizardry, and the unconventional, punctuated rhythm of Caleb Summeril's banjo. While they may appear unfamiliarly eclectic and unusual onstage, the unified sound they produce is greeted by all audiences like an old friend (astonished looks, big old grins, and the occasional misty eye are not uncommon). The women on the other hand, Sarah Anderson, Esmé Patterson and Genny Patterson, have a sneak attack of their own. At first glance they appear to be like a trio out of a sixties girl group, all dresses and smiles, while musically, they function more often than not, as one singer. Whether in harmony, canon, or in three-voiced unison, they've been known to try everything that has been prevalent in popular music for the last 150 years. Naturally, the trio attempts many styles that have never been seen; giving them a unique flavor that makes the audience beg for more.