About

Looking East

Fronted by veteran vocalist Drew Gonzales, Looking East is the passion project and brainchild of producer and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Kearney. Seamlessly blending profound songwriting with laid back coastal grooves, Looking East brings a more complex flavor to the cali reggae scene. Their debut album, due out January 2026, features genre heavy hitters and rising talent alike, including collaborations with Kash’d Out, Lot 49, Hunter The Oracle - formerly of Th3rd Coast Roots - and Indie darling Kip Nelson.  

Drew and Daniel had worked together over the years in various projects, but it wasn’t until 2024 that they launched Looking East, as Daniel shifted gears after years of relentless touring with alternative reggae act Cydeways to focus on studio work in his home in Goleta, California. In the 16 months since the duo released their first single with Ryan Viera of Lot 49 they’ve amassed over half a million streams and thousands of followers across various streaming and social media platforms.

With Drew’s unparalleled vocal delivery and meticulous harmonies combining with Daniel’s seasoned artistry and production skills, Looking East burst onto the scene in late 2024 and as 2026 starts, their ascent continues with no end in sight. The time spent crafting their sound in the studio has led to a surge in support from reggae fans as the duo builds out their touring lineup planning to hit the road in the near future. With years of experience on the road, including playing for reggae legend Matisyahu and touring alongside the likes of Iya Terra, Iration, The Movement, DENM, The Elovators, and Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, the members of Looking East are no strangers to road life; and they’re ready to hit the ground running. 

Daniel and Drew in casual outfits against a white wall, wearing sunglasses, one with a bun and the other with a cap.

MEET THE BAND

Drew

Vocals

“Drew is a vocalist based in Los Osos who brings melody, lyrics, and polish to Looking East’s sound, completing the Duo across distance.”

-Stella Mullin, Daily Nexus

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Daniel on beach with guitar, wearing blue bucket hat and sunglasses.

Daniel

Production

“Daniel is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. A longtime touring musician whose music is shaped by loss, fatherhood, and reflection”

-Stella Mullin, Daily Nexus

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Daniel and Drew against a white wall with arms crossed, one wearing a white shirt and sunglasses, the other in a black shirt and cap.
Daniel and Drew in a grassy outdoor setting on Maui with trees, one seated with a colorful guitar, the other standing.
Daniel and Drew outdoors, one seated holding a colorful guitar, wearing casual clothing and sunglasses, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Daniel and Drew walking on a beach, one holding a colorful ukulele, with ocean waves in the background.
Daniel playing a colorful guitar by the ocean with waves in the background.
Daniel and Drew walking on a beach near the ocean, one holding a colorful ukulele, wearing casual clothing and sunglasses.
Drew wearing a black baseball cap with "LA" logo, sunglasses, and a beige t-shirt crouching outdoors.
Daniel and Drew in a dry forest setting; one is standing with a skateboard, wearing a hat and sunglasses, the other is sitting on an armchair, wearing a cap and sunglasses.
Daniel and Drew outdoors surrounded by trees; one standing and wearing a cap and shorts, the other sitting in a chair wearing a blue hat and sunglasses.
Daniel and Drew outdoors in a wooded area, one standing with crossed arms, wearing a cap and sunglasses, the other sitting in an armchair with a bucket hat and sunglasses, holding a colorful guitar.
Daniel and Drew standing against a stone wall, one holding a colorful guitar.
Daniel and Drew on a rocky beach; one playing the ukulele, wearing a bucket hat and sunglasses, the other standing with hands in pockets, wearing a cap. Palm trees and clouds in the background.
Daniel and Drew of Looking East sitting on rocks at the beach, with one playing a guitar. Both wear casual clothing, sunglasses, and hats, surrounded by lush greenery.
Daniel and Drew of Looking East sitting on rocks at a beach, smiling; one plays a guitar. Surrounded by greenery and palm trees.
Daniel of Looking East sitting on rocks in a tropical setting with palm trees, playing a blue guitar, wearing a bucket hat and sunglasses under a cloudy sky.
Daniel of Looking East sitting on rocks playing a ukulele near the ocean, wearing a blue hat and shorts, with cloudy sky and greenery.
Daniel and Drew of Looking East playing guitars on a sandy beach with ocean and mountains in the background.
Drew of Looking East silhouetted playing guitar near the beach with trees and ocean in the background.
Drew of Looking East playing guitar outdoors, wearing sunglasses and baseball cap. Tattooed arm visible.
Daniel of Looking East wearing a blue bucket hat and sunglasses playing an acoustic guitar outdoors.