From beginnings and good feelings about growing up in Issaquah to ending up on the other end of a significant stalking incident, Isaac Brock has made music through it all. While the breaks can sometimes be lengthy, he told me in a Zoom sit down (below) that "there's more to life than making Modest Mouse records". It just so happens that he's just made a Modest Mouse record, The Golden Casket (July 25, 2021 - Epic).
He's a likable figure, a character who is clearly flawed and owns it as much. In regards to the time between albums, "you know I went down a lot of different rabbit holes, not all of them nice, not all of them bad." He wouldn't elaborate on those good or bad places, but from the gleam in his eye, he, like the rest of us, is still sorting out life. "The Modest Mouse record happened exactly when it should have happened. Also, it wouldn't have happened when this one did if I didn't have the year... if I hadn't been locked down. I would have gone out on tour and it would been like another before I had time to do it."
Modest Mouse added another member to the band for this run - not in an official capacity - but helping Isaac focus his creativity and turn it from sampling of literal cans into melodic ideas, producer Dave Sardy played a lot, sang a lot, and wrangled the band on the The Golden Casket.
Perhaps we can forgive Isaac and Co for the lengthy pause as it turns out the six-year gap in records - not even their longest - falls on the back of some scary encounters. "Part of my last six years involved some pretty full-bore stalkers on levels I can't even... some went to jail. I'll just say I'm not super comfortable getting outside my own social circles." He's sold his house, shuttered his bar, and even kicked around the idea of a move back home to Washington.
It was back in the 90's the band took off with Brock claiming Issaquah as the base for the group an effective sidestep around the celebrity spotlight then shining on Seattle and Olympia. When asked to reflect on his time here and his time away he surprised with a reflection on being a kid and those memories made: "I did like it, I've actually thought about moving back." I'm sure we could get you a role in the Salmon Days festivities.
I've done this job for a long time and spoken with big names from Seattle, but his always eluded me. I always thought him soft of a Hemingway in my mind, perhaps well read, smart and with a cocktail in hand. What I found was a guy who was friendly, easy going, and doing what it is he wants to do. Listen to the full chat below.