Biography
Ethan Gruska, an indie singer-songwriter whose introspective and bookish approach echoes the work of Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell, formed half of the indie pop duo the Belle Brigade before issuing his first solo album, Slowmotionary, in 2017. He also moved into production and songwriting, contributing to Phoebe Bridgers’ debut album Stranger in the Alps and co-writing material with John Legend and Kimbra, among others. His second solo album, En Garde, arrived in 2020 and again featured Bridgers, while a 2022 single, “So Unimportant,” paired him with Bon Iver.
Gruska belongs to a multi-generational musical family: his father is Emmy-nominated composer and songwriter Jay Gruska, and his grandfather is Oscar-winning composer John Williams. Additional relatives include drummer Johnny Williams of the Raymond Scott Quintette and Joseph Williams of Toto. His older sister Barbara Gruska has drummed for Jenny Lewis and HONEYHONEY and serves as the other half of the Belle Brigade, playing drums, vocals, and guitar. The duo’s self-titled debut, co-produced by Matthew Wilder and released by Reprise in 2011, was followed by Just Because on ATO in 2014. To promote that record, the Belle Brigade opened for Ray LaMontagne on his North American Supernova tour while also serving as members of his backing band.
In 2016, Gruska co-wrote “Right by You” with Blake Mills and John Stephens for John Legend’s album DARKNESS AND LIGHT. A year later Mills appeared on Gruska’s solo debut alongside Rob Moose, Gabe Noel, and Barbara Gruska; Tony Berg produced Slowmotionary, which Sire issued in March 2017. Gruska produced and performed on roughly a dozen instruments for Phoebe Bridgers’ similarly understated debut, Stranger in the Alps, released in September 2017. The project led to further production work with alt-pop singer Kimbra and pensive indie rockers Bad Books, plus songwriting collaborations with Madison Cunningham, Joseph, and Trombone Shorty.
Gruska returned to solo work in early 2020 with En Garde, which included another collaboration with Bridgers on “Enough for Now.” He next joined Bon Iver for the 2022 non-album track “So Unimportant,” issued on Sylvan Esso’s Psychic Hotline as part of the label’s singles series and featuring string and percussion contributions from longtime associates Rob Moose, Blake Mills, and Matt Chamberlain.
Gruska belongs to a multi-generational musical family: his father is Emmy-nominated composer and songwriter Jay Gruska, and his grandfather is Oscar-winning composer John Williams. Additional relatives include drummer Johnny Williams of the Raymond Scott Quintette and Joseph Williams of Toto. His older sister Barbara Gruska has drummed for Jenny Lewis and HONEYHONEY and serves as the other half of the Belle Brigade, playing drums, vocals, and guitar. The duo’s self-titled debut, co-produced by Matthew Wilder and released by Reprise in 2011, was followed by Just Because on ATO in 2014. To promote that record, the Belle Brigade opened for Ray LaMontagne on his North American Supernova tour while also serving as members of his backing band.
In 2016, Gruska co-wrote “Right by You” with Blake Mills and John Stephens for John Legend’s album DARKNESS AND LIGHT. A year later Mills appeared on Gruska’s solo debut alongside Rob Moose, Gabe Noel, and Barbara Gruska; Tony Berg produced Slowmotionary, which Sire issued in March 2017. Gruska produced and performed on roughly a dozen instruments for Phoebe Bridgers’ similarly understated debut, Stranger in the Alps, released in September 2017. The project led to further production work with alt-pop singer Kimbra and pensive indie rockers Bad Books, plus songwriting collaborations with Madison Cunningham, Joseph, and Trombone Shorty.
Gruska returned to solo work in early 2020 with En Garde, which included another collaboration with Bridgers on “Enough for Now.” He next joined Bon Iver for the 2022 non-album track “So Unimportant,” issued on Sylvan Esso’s Psychic Hotline as part of the label’s singles series and featuring string and percussion contributions from longtime associates Rob Moose, Blake Mills, and Matt Chamberlain.
Albums
Singles
