My debut LP Treading Water is out 9.23!
Ethan Buckner’s debut LP, Treading Water, transforms turbulence into tranquility, offering solace and clarity where others might only find noise. Written during suffocating California wildfires, the global reckoning for racial justice, and a personal health crisis, Treading Water weaves between moments intimate and anthemic, exploring themes that are deeply personal and unavoidably collective.
Ethan’s emergence as a songwriter and performing artist is interwoven with his storied career as an advocate for social change. From being detained by the Egyptian military under suspicion of espionage to rappelling off highway bridges in protest of Big Oil, Ethan’s experiences have been harrowing. His songwriting, born from these struggles, offers a sense of calm amid the chaos, creating space for reflection and resilience in an unpredictable world.
From a panic attack turned breakthrough on "Coming Back to Me" to the soaring call for resilience on "Eyes on the Prize," this album draws from Ethan’s poetic lyricism, intricate guitar work, and dynamic, honest vocals. With producer Justin Glasco (Paris Paloma, The Lone Bellow) at the helm and features from guitarist Brandon Walters (Lord Huron), vocalist Debbie Neigher (Marina, Suki Waterhouse), and Ethan’s brother, drummer Matt Buckner, Treading Water blends raw emotion with dark, ephemeral soundscapes. It’s an emotional odyssey that channels personal trauma into collective catharsis.
For more than the past decade, Ethan has worked full-time with Indigenous, working class, and communities of color to wage campaigns against big oil, gas, and petrochemical companies that threaten harm to communities and the climate. Ethan’s debut single, “Eyes on the Prize,” made a bold statement when it was performed live for over 75,000 people during the March to End Fossil Fuels. Described by Atwood Magazine as “an emotionally charged anthem of resilience,” the song sparked a whirlwind year of touring, new releases, and a growing buzz that culminates in his much-anticipated debut at the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood on September 23rd.
In addition to his high-profile shows across California and the Southwest, Ethan embarked on his first European tour, making waves in Sweden and Germany. Fresh off a sold-out performance at Venice’s Winston House and a stunning debut at the LA County Fair’s Nextfest, Ethan’s presence is undeniable, and Treading Water is the sound of an artist fully embracing his moment.
