http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...d9104bb&p=1

Isaak riding wave of 'retro-cool' success
Multi-talented musician has no complaints after dabbling in film, television

Francois Marchand
Special to The Journal


Sunday, August 10, 2008



CREDIT: Supplied
Chris Isaak

Concert Preview

Chris Isaak

When: Tonight at 10 on the

main stage

Where: Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Gallagher Park

EDMONTON - When he's not busy rocking the stage, recording tracks, appearing on television or playing bit parts in movies, Chris Isaak is probably surfing.

From Ocean Beach in San Francisco (where he lives) to the Australian coast, Isaak has been catching waves for most of his life, and he can't help but offer some advice to us land-bound dwellers.

"The big tip for a beginner is to go where the waves are small, and learn to get up to your feet fast," Isaak says. "Surfing is kinda like sex: you don't have to be great to have a good time, and don't let anybody cramp your style."

Now that "retro-cool" is all the rage -- just listen to any of the chanteuses coming out of the U.K. -- it would be a crime to forget Isaak has been ahead of the "retro" game since he began infusing rockabilly, country, surf and blues into his croon more than 20 years ago.

"I don't know if I fit under 'retro-cool,' although it's a nice banner," Isaak admits. "I love Elvis and The Beatles and Roy Orbison -- who doesn't? But I try to tell my own story. I have always felt like I got just the right amount of attention. I have always been able to work, record, do our TV shows (The Chris Isaak Show and the upcoming Chris Isaak Hour for the Biography channel) and film (Little Buddha, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, The Silence of the Lambs) and still shop at the corner store and surf Ocean Beach and never get bugged by anybody. I have no complaints."

Isaak's latest release, Best of Chris Isaak, is a greatest-hits collection that spans his career. It includes such mainstays as 1989's Wicked Game (who could forget his beach frolics with supermodel Helena Christensen for the song's video?), San Francisco Days, and a few new tracks, including an acoustic version of 1995's Forever Blue.

Isaak, who handpicked each song, says the idea was to put together a "good driving mix" of his favourite tracks. "I must have listened to a million records driving the road from San Francisco to L.A."

Never one to rest for too long, Isaak says a new album is already in the works. "I don't like to sit around much, and I lost my remote for the TV about 20 years ago, so I like to keep singing and writing."

Isaak's career has been filled with memorable moments -- singing harmonies with Roy Orbison at the legend's house and having Orbison compare him to Buddy Holly, or getting caught doing a Buck Owens impression at a soundcheck in Bakersfield by Owens himself, "smiling with a 'got ya' grin on his face."

And when Nicole Kidman selected Isaak's dark and bluesy Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing to rehearse her "seductive dance scene" for Stanley Kubrick's final film, Eyes Wide Shut, Isaak was in for a surreal treat.

He eventually received a call from Kubrick himself and was asked if he would allow the song to be used in the movie and its now infamously risqué trailer.

"I would have been willing to play in person if she needed it," Isaak quips. "Such is my commitment to the arts."

It wasn't the first time an "offbeat" director had approached Isaak with the idea of incorporating his music into a film.

David Lynch used two songs -- Gone Ridin' and Livin' For Your Lover -- from Isaak's 1984 debut, Silvertone, for his 1986 classic cult movie Blue Velvet. Lynch would later use an instrumental version of Wicked Game for 1990's Wild At Heart.

"I love David and Stanley," Isaak says. "They both make one-of-a-kind films, and to have them both decide to use my music is just thrilling. Whatever the reason, I have had a ball working with David Lynch. He is a nice and very easy-going man who is really fun to be around because he always has an idea and it's always original. The fun part of being an artist is that you get to work with other people who have ideas as crazy as your own.

"The last time I saw him, he was opening a film near San Francisco and I showed up with my drummer Kenney and we played some music for the audience before the show. David even joined in on the maracas -- and like everything he does, he was good at it."

What a great intro to the show tonight. Thanks, Firefly. Good to see Chris getting some press in Canada.

You're welcome!! I'm glad to see the positive press in Canada and all over!
Today I was in Manhattan and walking by the Nokia Theater in Times Square. The Nokia has a large marquee where they show video clips of the bands that will be performing there. Just as I was walking by Chris was playing on the screen! I can't wait until next week!!

Nice interview...thanks!

~ Lilo

It was a very cool aritcle I have the paper from that day and the guys rocked the festival it was good I would so go see them again at an outdoor venue C&Ksgirl