What would happen if Arlo Guthrie and the Band had a baby that then hung out with James Taylor and listened to a lot of Old Crow Medicine Show and sometimes rode the bus with Don DiLego while playing Nashville Skyline on its iPod? Isaac Gillespie’s 1971 would happen, that’s what.
The album is a mix of comfortable folk songs about death, women, friends, love, heartbreak, traveling and friends. 1971 is a 13-song collection featuring Gillespie’s homey, nasaly voice often harmonizing with itself, singing folky story-songs over a twanging guitar. All in all, pure gold. The intimately-recorded self-released gem introduces us to Gillespie, who comes across as utterly genuine, super friendly and immensely talented.
-Why 1971? You weren’t even alive in 1971.
To me, 1971 represents a transition between two eras. It’s like a building year. By 1971, it’s clear to everyone that the 60’s are definitively over but it doesn’t seem like the 70’s have really yet begun. And so everyone just took the year off and stayed home. It was like 1971 was like taking a breather on a macrocosmic scale.
So musically what that means is that a whole lot of great but modest records were made. The Band’s Cahoots, Sly & the Family Stone’s There’s A Riot Goin’ On, Don McLean’s American Pie, Joni Mitchell’s Blue. All these albums that were infused with a real intimacy and sadness. This is the year where Hunter Thompson says that, “with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark… where the wave finally broke and rolled back.”
-There are a few live tracks. Where were they recorded?
All the live tracks were recorded at the Sidewalk Cafe on New York’s Lower East Side. It’s this funky little backroom of a bar/restaurant but they’ve got the oldest (and best) open mic in New York. A typical Monday night starts at 7:30 and lets out just after three. And during that time you’ll hear everything and fall in love at least twice.
And a ton of people have come out of that scene from Regina Spektor and Jeff Buckley to the Moldy Peaches and Jeffrey Lewis. But that’s sort of become home base for me and all the live stuff comes from shows I’ve played there.
-How long has this album been in the makings?
About half of the songs come from an intense period of writing in ‘05-’06 and then the other half have all been written in the past six months along with all the recording. In the middle time I was a TV producer and made documentaries about Justin Timberlake.
-If you could have been born in a state other than New Jersey, which would you have chosen and why?
I would love to have been born in the great volunteer state of Tennessee. Or maybe West Texas. The flamboyant lawlessness of Louisiana has always been appealing. I love the surreal landscapes of Utah and of course the great and varied state of New Mexico. Basically anywhere except Maryland. I had to take a trip once as a child to the Baltimore Aquarium and it scarred me for life.
I actually have a song for the next album about a trip I took to a very small town outside of Albuquerque called Jemez Pueblo. And that brings us to Neil Young’s “Albuquerque.” That’s a great song.
-Your first name is Timothy. When and why did you shift to Isaac?
I started using my middle name when I went off to college. I mean it’s a no-brainer, just do the comparison: McVeigh/LaHaye/Allen vs. Newton/Asimov/Hayes. What would you do?
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But don't take my word for it:
With a little help from Steve Beck, Steve Graves, Nick Nace, Alex P, Chris Phaneuf, & Bruno
Isaac Gillespie & the Due Diligence's Friend Space (Top 3)
Isaac Gillespie & the Due Diligence has 465 friends.
Hiya Isaac, Not much is up at the moment. Trying to make a few musician friends in the area, maybe play out a little bit. Seeing if i can grab anyone's attention on the internetz-scape space. I like your songs.
it's a crying shame yooz so far away, isaac . . . come back soon (with ample warning!) . . . and you'd better tell ali to get cracking on the mixing, cos sweet "1971" won't content me for long
The usual Isaac! Trying to balance business with pleasure. I really like your sound. I'm a big fan of the band, the dead, and dylan - all of which point to you. If you have a chance check out my folk-rock band http://www.myspace.com/copesetic
Fun indeed, thanks again! Yes, I am still interested in hearing that recording, but no need to rush on it either. If you're ever looking for short video work to screen I'd be happy to send something to you. I probably should have just left you the DVD I brought.
