DAVID & STEVE GORDON
Roots in the Forest
How did two overworked session musicians from Los Angeles find their way to a new musical path—one that became not just a career shift, but a kind of musical cure? For David and Steve Gordon, it began not in a studio, but sitting quietly by a stream in Sequoia National Park. To escape the grind of the industry, the brothers often retreated to the forest to reconnect and recharge.
“As we sat in silence, something shifted,” they recall. “We started hearing melodies in the natural world—the rhythm of the brook, the song of the birds, the tones in the wind through the trees. It wasn’t background noise—it felt like music waiting to be heard.”
That experience inspired them to return with microphones, capturing the sounds of nature and weaving them into original compositions. These weren’t just ambient backdrops—they were collaborations with the natural world. The result was their first five albums, including Misty Forest Morning and Peaceful Evening, released on their newly founded Sequoia Records, named after their place of inspiration.
At a time when ambient music was just beginning to take shape, the Gordon Brothers were among the first artists to bring nature into the music as a central voice, helping to define a genre that was still finding its form.
For over 40 years, David and Steve Gordon have explored the outer edges of ambient, world fusion, and downtempo music. Classically trained and award-winning producers, they’ve followed their instincts—often pioneering sounds that would later find broader audiences.
Albums like Garden of Serenity and Soothing Sanctuary helped shape the meditation music genre, becoming enduring favorites in wellness communities. Pulse Magazine called their sound “intimate, quiet, serene, and spacious”—music that creates room to breathe.
Musical Explorers
In the 1990s, the brothers were deeply inspired by their immersion in drum circles and ancient rhythm traditions. At the same time, they were exploring shamanic paths—reading Carlos Castaneda, engaging in sacred medicine journeys, and connecting with indigenous spiritual practices. These inner experiences shaped their approach to rhythm, infusing it with intention, vision, and healing energy.
This convergence gave rise to a unique blend of tribal percussion, Native flutes, and modern instruments like electric guitar and synthesizers. Their breakthrough album Sacred Earth Drums was born from this fusion and became a genre-defining release, holding the top spot for over two years. It was followed by additional works in this vein, including Drum Medicine, which received COVR awards for both “Album of the Year” and “Best World Album.” This spiritually-rooted approach to what they call “World Fusion” continues to define their sound today.
Chill Electronica Journey
As electronic music matured, the Gordons expanded again—this time into Downtempo Electronica Lounge. In the early 2000s, they launched Sequoia Groove, a sub-label devoted to stylish, atmospheric sounds for a modern audience.
Their Buddha-Lounge and Café de Luna series became genre staples, featuring an eclectic mix of artists from around the world. Carefully curated and mixed by the brothers, these collections brought chillout music to yoga studios, spas, and living rooms—taking it far beyond the nightclub scene.
Lifting Up Other Artists
The Gordon Brothers’ legacy isn’t just their own music—they’ve also helped others find their voice. They’ve introduced the world to artists like Gary Stadler, known for his magical piano compositions paired with ethereal female vocalists, drawing inspiration from artists like Enya and Loreena McKennitt. They’ve produced acclaimed work for musicians such as Jaya Lakshmi, Zingaia, Sophia, and Reiki healer Shajan, who released five albums with Sequoia Records.
The label also hosted groundbreaking projects like Achillea by Jens Gad, co-creator of the multi-platinum Enigma. Their talent for recognizing and nurturing unique musical voices has made Sequoia a trusted name for both artists and listeners.
New Horizons
In recent years, David and Steve have continued to explore new frontiers in healing music. Their work with binaural beats and sound frequencies aims to support wellness through scientifically informed compositions. Quantum Theta Waves from 2020 exemplifies this direction.
Their album Gratitude – Relaxing Music for Native American Flute marked a significant milestone—it was their first time blending Native flute with ambient atmospheres, and it quickly became one of their most cherished works. Their 2025 release, Thankful, reflects a return to their roots—blending early inspirations with a fresh perspective. Their latest project features warm, acoustic pieces for guitar and piano, showcasing their unique musical brotherly chemistry in a quiet, intimate way.
Impact & Influence
The Gordon Brothers’ reach goes beyond albums—though with over 2 million CDs sold and more than 550 million streams, that’s no small feat. Their music has appeared in films like Kissing Jessica Stein and The Parole Officer, and even in CBS Sports’ Xterra World Championship.
But perhaps their biggest impact is in the world of wellness, where their music has become a trusted companion for meditation, yoga, and healing. For many, it’s the soundtrack of inner peace.
A Shared Journey
What sets David and Steve apart isn’t just innovation—it’s intention. They’ve always made music with purpose: to create beauty, offer calm, and build connection. They make the music they need themselves—then it finds others who need it too. In that way, each album becomes part of a shared journey with their listeners.
“We’ve always tried to create music that helps people feel connected—to themselves, to nature, to something bigger,” they say.
That inspiration, first found among the Sequoia trees, still guides them. And as their music continues to evolve, it carries the same promise it always has: to be a doorway—not just to relaxation, but to a deeper sense of connection with the universe, and with one’s own spiritual path.
