JASON ISBELL’S SEVENTH STUDIO album, May 2020’s Reunions, got nearly universal raves. But, as told in the HBO documentary Running With Our Eyes Closed, making the record was a challenge for the Alabama-born singer and guitarist. At the time, Isbell, a recovering alcoholic, was going through personal and creative tensions with his wife, musician Amanda Shires. Then the pandemic forced him to postpone a tour with his band, the 400 Unit.
“Sometimes you have a hard time connecting with people, whether it be your bandmates, your spouse, whoever,” Isbell tells Newsweek. “I think the documentary does a good job of showing people who are just trying to make the right choices and trying to be good people. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but you just keep moving, keep doing your best.”
Isbell has moved forward both in music and life. On June 9, he and The 400 Unit—keyboardist Derry deBorja, drummer Chad Gamble, bassist Jimbo Hart and guitarist.
