Going to the Sun

Minneapolis-based Going To The Sun’s mix of earthy-acoustic-playful-electric-pop-rock rings with the earnest storytelling of Willie Nelson, the lush harmonies of “Pet Sounds”-era Beach Boys, and the spirited instrumentation of Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire, the result of small mountain-town Montana upbringing and more than two decades of being immersed in the rich music culture of the Twin Cities. Their music is both powerful and intimate, free-fall diving into the depths of loss and grief, and emerging with a celebratory sense of hope and purpose.

After spending all of the ’00’s in in hard-working, hard-rocking band Down And Above, lead singer / multi-instrumentalist David Young set out on a new musical path in the wake of a devastating family loss.

“Our lives had completely changed overnight. It was a hard turn into such a dark valley of grief,” Young recalls. “Eventually I started writing songs as a way to process the heaviness, and was surprised by how much light and joy emerged in the midst of it all.”

David turned to drummer and DNA-alum Zach Young to help bring the new collection of songs to life, and Going To The Sun was born. The release of their self-titled debut album resonated with fans and critics alike, earning recognition from The Current (89.3) as one of MN’s top releases of the year.

Joined by Justin Rieken and Charlie Peterson, the band soon started playing upper midwestern clubs and festivals, sharing the stage with acts such as Cloud Cult, Chris Koza, Lukas Graham, Hey Rosetta, and Ingrid Michaelson.

With two full-length studio albums released and a third on the way, Going To The Sun’s music is filled with memorable melodies, yearning heartache and celebration, and hard-won anthemic resilience.