Q&A: Great Good Fine Ok Are Evolving Through Existence on New EP ‘Exist’
CHANGE CAN BE A CHALLENGE — for synth-pop duo Great Good Fine Ok, and they’ve understood how to embrace it. For them, it’s become a strength when developing their latest EP, Exist.
The duo — Jon Sandler and Luke Moellman and their entire performing band moved to LA after an 18-year stay in Brooklyn. It was a shift in environment, yet it pushed them to center their sound around being true to themselves.
“We’re trying to really be ourselves and not try to imitate anything or chase what's popular, but do what we love,” they shared.
With the EP, they create an enthralling sound of synth-heavy pop melodies that offers vivid imagery. Their production moves through stories of overcoming relationship trauma on "Led Me to You," and analyzing how nostalgia plays a role in multiple facets of our lives on “Blame.”
Through five songs, they dive deeper into emotional subjects, reflecting growth not only sonically but in their own lives. They explained that this is the reason they chose the title Exist.
“The definition of ‘exist’ is to live, especially under adverse conditions,” they said, and Great Good Fine Ok has done just that. Their songs further display the sentiment and support listeners experiencing just as much change in this unpredictable world.
With upcoming tour stops in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Sandler took some time to speak to Luna about the EP. They discuss growth, moving to LA, and how they hope listeners connect to this project. Read the interview below.
LUNA: The songs on your new EP, Exist, take the tough moments and put a positive spin on them. “Make This Moment Last" dives into that reminiscent stage of missing someone, but it’s also a reminder to live in the present. Why is it important to share these types of stories?
SANDLER: I'm inspired by these topics everyone can relate to — trying to find a spin on them, whether it's positive or just a way of looking at them that is a little bit unique. I will say, sometimes I'll approach it a little more negatively and a little more like, “Woe is me” because I'm an emotional, heart-on-my-sleeve guy.
Luke, my partner — the producer and a mad scientist/engineer — will urge me to figure out the empowering angle on whatever I'm talking about. We love making music and lyrics that juxtapose each other. Having that juxtaposition really helps the listener dive in a bit more, taking a moment to listen to the lyrics.
LUNA: As a duo, you both embrace the concept of change. That seems to be the overall theme. Most people might say that change is scary, but it's something you've embraced. How has being an artist helped with embracing that sentiment?
SANDLER: What comes to mind when you're talking about change, right now, is the fact that I moved to LA about six months ago from New York. I'd been living in Brooklyn for 18 years. The fact that the whole band — Luke and the other two guys who join us live — moved here from LA. That has affected different areas of the band and our lives.
As far as being a band, in the music industry it is always changing. Musical landscapes, our inspirations are changing, and our lives are changing with the music. It can be scary, but the best things come from feeling uncomfortable. Change is really a great thing. If people can embrace that instead of fighting it, I think they'll be happier.
LUNA: How has being in LA been? And how has it impacted how you created this new project?
SANDLER: This is the first project that was written and recorded entirely in LA. Whenever you change environments, the art changes. So it has been interesting to see what we've been making. It does feel different than the last batch of songs. I don't know exactly why, maybe the sunshine all the time?
We are all evolving musically and getting better at what we do. I feel like this new batch of songs is more elevated than any of our other stuff has been.
LUNA: What is the meaning behind the EP title, Exist?
SANDLER: This EP is called Exist for a couple of reasons. One, we felt that was a good name for this body of work — the definition of exist is to live, especially under adverse conditions. I think everyone [in the world] can relate to that right now. So we thought it was the perfect word. Also, there's a little hidden nugget in there. If you turn the word upside down, it spells the word “six.”
LUNA: You’ve talked about evolving. How would you describe how this EP is documenting your evolution thus far?
SANDLER: I think we're being extremely collaborative with different writers, musicians, and instrumentation. We put instruments on some of these songs we have never used before. That is always what we've done on each EP, expand our sonic spectrum.
We are trying to be ourselves and not imitate anything or chase what is popular, but do what we love. I think you hear that, especially in the song “Breathing.” It is like super yacht-rocky (Luke's favorite band is Steely Dan). I don't think he has ever gotten to flex his yacht rock muscles much, but there is a lot of that on this EP.
LUNA: Lastly, what do you hope listeners take away after listening to this EP?
SANDLER: I just want people to feel something. I want them to relate to it in some way. Then it's kind of like a mission accomplished. I think that way of any kind of art — a movie or a painting. If it can make you feel something … job well done. That's … the most you can ask for. I'm becoming more about the journey than the destination. I do feel like the journey is just people hearing it and feeling something. And what happens after that it's kind of out of my control.
