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About
Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground is deeply rooted in traditional bluegrass, yet forward-leaning into a thoughtful modernity. This Boston-based quintet brings together some of the Northeast bluegrass scene’s most athletic musical aces: BB Bowness on banjo, Julian Pinelli on fiddle, Alex Rubin on guitar, Brittany Karlson on bass, and mandolinist Ethan Setiawan. Fine Ground gives us something to really sink our teeth into.
Named “creative and virtuosic” by WBUR Boston and “one of the most formidable mandolinists of his generation” by The Bluegrass Situation, Setiawan has won both the National Mandolin Championship and the Rockygrass Mandolin Championship. His eclectic career spans traditional bluegrass, Scottish folk music, classical repertoire, jazz, and original instrumental composition. Fine Ground grew from a desire to return to the music that first inspired him.
Rather than simply 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. The collection feels equally at home in the bluegrass canon and today’s broader contemporary acoustic landscape.
Recorded live at Dimension Sound Studios, Little Storms captures the way this dynamic band loves to make music together: in a room, listening and connecting through the songs that move them. It is a portrait of the musical depth that comes with longtime friendship, collaboration, and love of craft.
Little Storms is out October 2, 2026. The album was recorded by Dan Cardinal at Dimension Sound Studios, mixed by Setiawan, and mastered by Dave Glasser at Airshow Mastering.