A new video of Ethan Gruska performing his song "Rather Be" is premiering today at KCRW's music blog. Of the song and video, KCRW praises, "His warm and inviting voice resonates throughout this live, acoustic version of his song."
"Rather Be" is from Gruska's solo debut album, Slowmotionary, which was recently released on Sire Records (
purchase) to widespread acclaim. Of Gruska, the
Los Angeles Timesasserts, "L.A.'s next great singer-songwriter? It might be Ethan Gruska" and goes on to praise, "Slowmotionary...showcases an assured songwriter with an inventive melodic flair and some heavy th
ings to say about love and family...Gruska draws the listener in with his close-to-the-bone performances."
Next month, Gruska will perform at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival as well as at L.A.'s "School Night" series at The
Resident (more info here). Additional tour dates to be announced soon.
Slowmotionary was produced by Tony Berg (Andrew Bird, Phoebe Bridgers, Aimee Mann, etc.) and includes 12 original songs that was mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig. In addition to Eth
an on various instruments (piano, guitar and drums to name a few), the album features Blake Mills (Andrew Bird, Alabama Shakes) on guitar, Rob Moose (Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, etc.) on strings and violin, Gabe Noel (Joseph, Pete Yorn) on cello and bass and Ethan's sister, Barbara Gruska (The Belle Brigade, Jenny Lewis), on percussion.
"What I hope is that people can sense the vulnerability in the writing," says Gruska of the album. "I didn't want perfect. I wanted true. I wanted honest. I didn't want to hide behind anything. That's why it's produced and arranged the way it is. It's very barren at certain moments. These songs slow down time for me, which is why I called it Slowmotionary. I needed to put myself out there musically and lyrically."
In addition to his solo work, Gruska co-produced Phoebe Bridgers' new album, Smoke Signals. He is based in Los Angeles, CA.
SLOWMOTIONARY TRACK LIST
1. The Valley
2. Me Who Wasn't Trying
3. Reoccurring Dream
4. Short Film
5. Rather Be
6. Crowded City Street
7. Grand Lies
8. Neighbors
9. What Are You Thinking Of?
10. Time Is The Healer
11. The Egotist
12. Illuminate
ETHAN GRUSKA CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
June 11- Manchester, TN -Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
June 26-Los Angeles, CA-School Night @ The Resident
Comments
To post a comment, you must
register and
login.