Brandon Isaak, the Whitehorse-born bluesman known for his gravelly voice and deep respect for tradition, returns with Walkin’ With The Blues—his most authentic and electrified blues album to date. Recorded live off the floor with minimal mics, vintage gear, and a soul soaked in the genre’s deepest roots, the record is a love letter to classic blues—gritty, emotional, and defiantly old-school.
“This is the most straight-up blues record I’ve ever made, and I could not be more pleased with how it turned out,” Isaak shares. “I wanted to make a record with strong lyrics, soulful playing, and zero tolerance for wanking—and I think I’ve achieved this.” The album marks Isaak’s first time producing and engineering on his own, a feat he describes as both a challenge and a dream realized.
The lead single and title track, “Walkin’ With The Blues,” captures Isaak’s hallmark songwriting style—equal parts heartbreak and hard-won wisdom. Lyrics like “With the blues as my companion / down this long hard road / we’ll keep on walkin’ / and share this heavy load” show Isaak’s emotional range, drawing listeners deep into his world of lost love and gritty perseverance.
Themes throughout the album stretch from life and love to death, sex, and even murder—all delivered with what Isaak calls “gusto and passion.” Each track is infused with the vintage tones of electric blues, channeling the spirit of legends like T-Bone Walker and Ronnie Earl. “I’ve always dreamed of making an electric blues album that captures the feel of the records I grew up on,” he says. “This one’s for the guitarists I worshipped as a kid.”
The record was made with Isaak’s touring band, The Saints of Swing, on Vancouver Island. “We built this in a single room with ribbon mics, cold beer, and heart,” he says. “Every note played was real, unfiltered. The drums, the guitars, the feel—it’s all there, honest and alive.” That honesty translates to every track, from rollicking shuffles to mournful ballads.
A true blues craftsman with over 37 years on the road, Isaak has toured across three continents and earned accolades including a 2024 Juno nomination for Blues Album of the Year. His performance resume includes 13 European tours and four nominations at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards, where he was recognized for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album/Producer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Acoustic Act of the Year.
To celebrate the release of Walkin’ With The Blues, Brandon Isaak will embark on an extensive tour across Western Canada, bringing his new album to life with performances full of storytelling, humour, and heart. Tour stops include:
- June 26 – Hermann’s Jazz Club – Victoria, BC
- June 28 – Evergreen Cultural Centre – Coquitlam, BC
- July 5 – Large House Concert – Errington, BC
- July 6 – Chemainus Blues Festival – Chemainus, BC
- July 8 – 39 Days of July – Duncan, BC
- July 12 – Large House Concert – Main Island, BC
- July 13 – 39 Days of July – Duncan, BC
- July 24 – Parksville Museum – Parksville, BC
- July 25 – Fort Langley Jazz Festival – Fort Langley, BC
- Sept 4 – Blues Barn – Leduc, Alberta
- Sept 5 – Large House Concert – Red Deer, Alberta
- Sept 6 – Badlands Amphitheatre – Drumheller, Alberta
- Sept 11 – Mackie House Concert – Coldstream, BC
- Sept 12 – Dream Café – Penticton, BC
- Sept 13 – Vibrant Wine Vineyard – Kelowna, BC
- Sept 20 – Osborne Bay – Crofton, BC
- Oct 7 – Oak Bay Recreation Centre – Victoria, BC
- Oct 18 – Cobblestone Music Venue – Cobblestone, BC
- Oct 31 – Marsh Lake – Yukon
- Nov 1 – Old Firehall – Whitehorse, Yukon
- Nov 21 – Hermann’s Jazz Club – Victoria, BC
Whether performing solo or backed by a powerhouse band, Isaak’s shows are rooted in the blues tradition—one part celebration, one part confession, all heart. “I’m not trying to reinvent the blues,” he says. “I’m just doing what it’s always done—telling stories, sharing truths, and keeping the fire burning.”
