BIOGRAPHY

Originally from Goshen, Indiana, Ethan Setiawan tried out numerous instruments before finding his way to the mandolin, making a name for himself when he won both the National Mandolin Championship and the Rockygrass Mandolin Championship. Years later, Setiawan has become a leading voice of the mandolin, his path wending its way through traditional bluegrass, to Bach partitas, and free jazz. He performs regularly with his modern bluegrass band Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground, and Scottish fusion duo Hildaland. His solo albums “Flux” and “Gambit” (produced by Darol Anger) are made up of original tunes drawing from all these wells, and employed a traditional full band format. On his 2025 release “Encyclopedia Mandolinnica” he explores the many possibilities of mandolin music through duets and trios with friends, mentors, and heroes. His current touring project, Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground, released its first album, “Little Storms”, in 2026.

Setiawan was one of three kids who were all homeschooled by folk-loving parents. His childhood was untraditional and full of exploration, and music gave him a social outlet outside of the home. “As a teenager, I loved the idea of going to jams and having this community of people that all play music”, he explains. He began driving to Chicago to take lessons with Don Stiernberg and traveled to California to attend The Mandolin Symposium. After finishing high school, Setiawan attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. “I think I came into Berklee as a very technically oriented musician, but just being exposed to so many different styles and incredible musicians really broadened my musical horizons, and gave me a deeper understanding of artistry and musicality beyond technical proficiency”.

Setiawan’s primary touring project, Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground, is deeply rooted in and colored by traditional bluegrass, yet forward-leaning into a thoughtful modernity. This Boston-based quintet allies together some of the most athletic musical aces of the Northeast bluegrass scene: BB Bowness on banjo, Julian Pinelli on fiddle, Alex Rubin on guitar, Brittany Karlson on bass, led by mandolinist Ethan Setiawan. Rather than retreading bluegrass's past, Fine Ground’s debut album, “Little Storms”, reflects the heart of the tradition with fresh original compositions alongside songs from beloved contemporary folk artists. This new release brews together a musical collection that feels equally at home in the bluegrass canon and today's broader contemporary acoustic landscape. Recorded at Dimension Sound Studios, Little Storms was recorded the way this dynamic band has always loved to make music together: live, in a room, listening and connecting to each other through the songs that move them. It is a truthful and moving portrait of the musical depth that only comes hand-in-hand with longtime friendship, collaboration, and love of craft. “Little Storms” released on October 2nd, 2026.

In addition to his solo projects, Setiawan is an in demand side man and band member, and can be seen playing with various acts in the Northeast and further abroad. Throughout his work, Setiawan’s technical proficiency is rivaled only by his restraint, leaving room for the music to thrive.

PRESS

“....creative and virtuosic.” - WBUR

“...one of the most formidable mandolinists of his generation.” - The Bluegrass Situation

“Growing up in America’s Corn Belt, Ethan has this music in his head, hands, and heart.” - Darol Anger

“Ethan is one of the most exciting, versatile and virtuosic musicians in today's acoustic music landscape.” - Red Line Roots

"Vibrant, thoughtful, and beautifully interactive" - Julian Lage

“One of the brightest lights and freshest voices to emerge in the mandolin world in years.” - Joe K. Walsh

“...This young player fully grasps the importance of leaving space in his playing, letting notes breathe, and allowing the mandolin’s sound to expand fully. - Bluegrass Unlimited

"Ethan is one of those greatly informed young musicians of today who knows the roots of the music he is creating, but is not afraid to search and carve out his own voice within this new tradition.” - Mike Marshall

PRESS for gambit

“...reaches beyond the traditional confines of bluegrass, showing a wide breadth of compositional styles from loose country jams to new age, jazz-tinged ballads.” - WBUR

“…he fuses his entire musical background to create something completely new. It isn’t jazz, but it’s not not jazz. It’s bluegrass, but not in the traditional sense. It’s funk, but also old-timey.” - The Bluegrass Situation

“The songwriting and playing on this album are incredible.” - Mandolins and Beer

“Ethan Setiawan’s GAMBIT isn’t just a collection of new string band tunes; Ethan has captured the spirit of a whole genre, through his personal lens… gorgeous generous music by a whole new generation of brilliant musicians.” - Darol Anger

“…a sound world that speaks to many traditions but is often refreshing and surprising, drawing on Bluegrass, Jazz, and Classical elements.” - Wildfire Music + News

“Conjuring the classic Americana of Aaron Copland, and Yo-Yo Ma‘s Goat Rodeo sessions, “Golden” is a wild and electric piece, showcasing Setiawan’s dexterity on the instrument, along with a keen sense of melody.” - The Indy Review

PROJECTs

Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground

Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground is deeply rooted in traditional bluegrass while leaning into a thoughtful modernity. Featuring BB Bowness, Julian Pinelli, Alex Rubin, Brittany Karlson, and Ethan Setiawan, the Boston-based quintet blends fresh original compositions with songs by beloved contemporary folk artists. Recorded live at Dimension Sound Studios, their debut album “Little Storms” is a portrait of longtime friendship, collaboration, and love of craft.

Encyclopedia Mandolinnica

On “Encyclopedia Mandolinnica”, champion mandolinist Ethan Setiawan catalogs the possibilities of his instrument with special guests including Mike Marshall, Joe K. Walsh, Jacob Jolliff, Andrew Marlin, among others. Exploring the many possibilities of mandolin music through duets and trios with his friends, mentors, and heroes, the breadth of Setiawan’s ambitious project is brought into focus through a stripped-down mandolin ensemble format, allowing the instrument itself to take center stage. On “Encyclopedia Mandolinnica”, Setiawan duets with some of his past teachers, such as Don Stiernberg and Mike Marshall, both foundational to the mandolin’s place in current folk music. He also worked with players who are in the process of forging their influence on the instrument, like classical mandolinist Caterina Lichtenberg, Watchhouse frontman Andrew Marlin, and Scottish folk star Laura-Beth Salter. A notable moment on the record is an octave mandolin trio with Sharon Gilchrist and Darol Anger, called “Back At It,” a mid-tempo number that showcases the emotive melodic possibilities of the instrument in a lower register and the tasteful restraint of three powerhouse musicians. Contrastingly, on “Blazing Star” Setiawan duets with Jacob Jolliff in lightning-fast, virtuosic conversation. With “Encyclopedia Mandolinnica,” Ethan Setiawan has added a collection of foundational mandolin music to his already illustrious recording catalog. A musician whose thirst for knowledge and exploration is never sated, Setiawan shows once again that he is always interested in reaching for the next challenge.

Gambit

Produced by legendary fiddle player Darol Anger, Gambit features Anger’s signature chamber music influenced arrangement styles. “What I love about the album is that the sum of it is greater than its parts”, explains Setiawan. “It starts with an introductory meditation, and it moves through a Swedish tune, a real jammy number, some more jazz and new age influenced pieces, as well as the old time and bluegrass elements. It’s not one thing, it’s a whole record”. In working with Anger, Setiawan found that he was able to make the most musical choices for each tune, leaving academic influences aside.

“Gambit” was recorded in Maine at the Great North Sound Society, and features an all-star cast of musicians including Anger (fiddle), Tony Trischka (banjo), Sam Leslie (guitar), Brittany Karlson (bass), Ethan Jodziewicz (bass), Louise Bichan (fiddle), Joe K. Walsh (mandolin), Mike Marshall (mandolin), Neil Pearlman (keys), and Matt Arcara (banjo).