Fresh Tracks: Ethan Setiawan “Boundless”

A number of years back I fell hard and deep into the world of acoustic instrumental music. It has always been there and played a more peripheral role in my musical life. I knew a handful of fiddle tunes and enjoyed a good bluegrass jam, but never fully lived in that world until a collection of contemporary roots musicians started releasing projects that grabbed me. Ethan Setiawan was one such musician.

Ethan is like Renaissance master painter. The 8 strings of his mandolin as his brush and the air is the canvas he paints with an ethereal palette of moods and colors. “Boundless” may be quick in its length, but pulls you deep into its sonic landscape. Trickling tremolo drenched in reverb and an undulating bass rhythm. Like the rich darkness of a desert night, curious and calling out, but a bit heavy and almost bordering on mysterious and unearthly. Seemingly endless miles of space, to explore and breath in, in between.

From Ethan: This month I’m releasing an EP of some music I worked on during 2020 and 2021 when I had a lot of time at home to experiment. Across The Great Divide, vol. 1 is inspired by time in solitude traveling across the US, and incorporates field recorded samples from the great outdoors. The first single, Boundless comes out TODAY, January 3rd! More singles will follow and the full album releases on January 24th. Below, I’m excited to share the artwork for the first single, featuring the work and photography of Louise Bichan. You can hear Boundless wherever you stream music.