Universal four-part ensemble Gone Gone Beyond is soaked in Americana-folk offerings, a genre-blend of soul, electronica, jazz, world music just to name a few, and a message for change. Gone Gone Beyond’s sophomore full-length assemblage, 2030, is brimmed with a sensation of lust and the link between our embodiments and the essence of Planet Earth. Gone Gone Beyond, composed of brilliant singer + songwriters from across the board David Block [New York City/Los Angeles], Danny Musengo [Iowa/New York City], Kat Factor [Santa Cruz], and Mel Semé [Cuba/Barcelona], has cultivated its own specific breed of sound depicted in “Canyons.” The opening song pays homage to an unconventional remedy of the Wild Wild West as member Musengo describes it as being, “a voodoo lullaby with all the whimsy of Alan Watts and all the heart of Neil Young.”
We got the chance to chat with Gone Gone Beyond about their new 12-track collection, their creative process and what the rest of 2021 holds for them.
PTM: Thank you so much for your time! Congratulations on 2030! For those who haven’t heard of Gone Gone Beyond before, what words would you use to describe your personalities?
Gone Gone Beyond: They’re all quite different. Musically, David comes from the electronic world, Kat from the classical and jazz worlds, Mel from an Afro-Cuban and jazz background, and Danny from a folk and country background. All of those influences are all over this record.
PTM: Your sound pays homage to traditional Americana-folk, but you also blend in electronica, jazz, and soul — who of you is responsible for bringing these different influences to the table?
GGB: We all bring those influences to the table, or at least allow for them to come forward in the process. We sort of use those influences as paints on the palette. All of them are available to us, but the main focus is always on the overall effect of the song, so we’re not necessarily writing for genre but for what’s best for the composition.
PTM: How do your perspectives on life, culture, and sound create a perfect harmony?
GGB: The connecting thread has always been our love of music and how it allows us to feel more connected to spirit. We’re all doing it for the same reasons. We could see from the beginning that our perspectives could blend in a beautiful way, but it took time to get the recipe right.
PTM: How have the previously released songs [“Another Earth,” “Canyons,” “Coast,” etc.] introduced the rest of the record to come?
GGB: We wanted to reveal this album to the world gently, letting people fall in love with it on their own. The tracks cover a lot of ground as far as genre goes and there’s different people taking lead on the songs, so it becomes challenging to give an accurate depiction of the record in just a few songs but we feel like those singles do it pretty well.
PTM: If you each could pick a favorite track off the record, what would it be and why?
GGB: We all have our favorites, and those change from moment to moment. But it’s really when you listen to it as a whole album that you get the full experience.
PTM: What’s the meaning behind the lyric, “I hope to see you in the year 2030”?
GGB: The full lyric is “I hope I see you, in the year 2030, just as pretty as you was when you was a kid.” It was an attempt to write a love song for both a person and for the earth itself using the same lyric. It’s a sentiment that’s applicable to both. I hope all your dreams come true.
PTM: How does 2030 differ from your debut album? Is there anything about the new record that would surprise fans?
GGB: This is the first album that we did together as a band in the same space, and it effected the sound quite a bit. It’s more complete and cohesive and something we all feel proud of.
PTM: What is your songwriting process like? Do you all find it easy to collaborate together, are there ever times where serious compromises have to happen?
GGB: It’s a refining process and it’s not always easy. But ultimately you know it’s right when you hear it. We start to hear it more and more and take breaks to come back with fresh ears…suddenly the songs just reveal themselves. You definitely have to trust each other. There are certainly times we don’t agree but over time we find common ground. It’s important we all allow each other to have a voice and really respect each other’s process.
PTM: With the world finally opening back up, are there any plans for touring? What can fans expect from a live show?
GGB: We’ve been doing these garden/listening parties in Topanga, CA for the record, and they’ve been really special. A lot of the musicians from the area have come by and sat in with the band. We’re currently booking our tour, and have recently announced a string of shows in Colorado with Dirtwire for September that we’re excited about. We will definitely be adding more to the tour schedule as things start to open up, so stay tuned for that!
PTM: Thank you so much for your time! Is there anything else you’d like to add before we go?
GGB: We just want to thank everyone for their support and let everyone know that 2030 is out now. Go and give it a listen front to back and let us know what you think.
