Initially a solo vehicle for Gaëtan Vandewoude, formerly the drummer in blues-rock band Ellroy and guitarist in emo outfit Soon, Isbells' acoustic folk sound has drawn comparisons to the likes of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes. Having written most of his 2009 self-titled debut alone in an old stable, Vandewoude then recruited Naima Joris, Bart Borremans, and Gianni Marzo in order to take the record on the road, performing 140 gigs over an 18-month period and supporting the likes of Megafaun and the Low Anthem. A slow-burning word-of-mouth success that sold 10,000 copies in Belgium alone, Isbells was followed up in 2012 with Stoalin'. ~ Jon O'Brien