Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ethan Samuel Brown is stepping into the spotlight with his sophomore album, Small Actors, set for release on January 10, 2025. As a preview of what’s to come, Brown has unveiled his lead single, Am I American?, which hit streaming platforms on October 25, 2024.
A sharp and unfiltered critique of modern American identity, Am I American? was born from the aftermath of the 2020 Nashville Christmas Day bombing. Brown blends the urgency of punk icons like Patti Smith and Iggy Pop & The Stooges with the folk protest tradition of Pete Seeger, resulting in a raw and defiant anthem. “The knee-jerk reaction from the media inspired me,” Brown explains. “This song is a critique of conventional righteousness. 2020 was obviously a traumatic year for everyone. Unfortunately, Nashvillians caught one final cheap shot on Christmas Day in the form of a suicide bombing.”
Recorded at Club Roar and Vital Electric Studios in Nashville, Small Actors showcases Brown’s evolution as a songwriter. He balances intimate acoustic moments with expansive, theatrical arrangements. The album features an impressive ensemble, including Midland drummer John Wood, Parker Millsap’s bassist Michael Zimmerman, and string arrangements by Jen Starsinic. Producer Parker McAnally orchestrates the project with precision, ensuring Brown’s voice remains at the heart of each track. Additional contributions from Austin Hoke (cello), Lydia Warren (harp, organ, Wurlitzer), and three-time Grammy-credited saxophonist Jovan Quallo further enrich the sonic landscape.
With a decade of experience behind the scenes in the Nashville music industry—working as an audio engineer, concert promoter, talent buyer, and most recently, Wynonna Judd’s stage manager—Brown brings a unique perspective to Small Actors. His music blurs the lines between folk-rock authenticity and orchestrated Americana, presenting American life as a theatrical production with each song serving as a distinct scene.
Exploring themes of patriotism, protest, and belonging, Brown crafts narratives that range from the grand halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (‘Rothko’) to the rural roads of Kentucky (‘Rose Hill’). The result is an album that not only reflects on personal and national identity but also challenges listeners to examine their own roles in America’s ongoing drama.
Now available on all major streaming platforms, Am I American? sets the stage for Small Actors, Brown’s most fully realized work to date. The album arrives on January 10, 2025. Stay tuned for more from this bold and insightful songwriter.
