By Mikey Eckstein
From raw heartbreak to indie rock anthems, the Ethan Marc Band is carving out its space in Detroit’s music scene—and far beyond. We caught up with frontman Ethan to talk about SXSW, their upcoming album Bad Day, and why connecting with new artists through Detroit Rising is just as important as performing center stage. Here’s what he had to say.
BMM: How long has the Ethan Marc band been together?
EMB: I’ve been releasing music as Ethan Marc and working with Michael for the past 4 years, however the Ethan Marc Band formed just over a year ago.
BMM: Who are 5 of the band's influences?
EMB: Our band is heavily influenced by 2000’s indie/alternative rock. If I had to pick just 5, they would be The Strokes, The Killers, Interpol, The White Stripes, and Modest Mouse. My lyrics are deeply shaped by my upbringing, heartbreak, and raw emotion. Writing music has always been a form of therapy for me.
BMM: You guys just did SXSW in Austin, TX, and did multiple street performances. How did those go for ya?
EMB: SXSW was an incredible experience. We played multiple venues in front of new audiences and also performed at street corners between scheduled sets. We loved performing out on the streets—it felt like the most organic way to share our music and connect with people.
BMM: Tell us 3 dream artists the Ethan Marc Band would love to tour with in the future.
EMB: Three dream artists we would love to tour with in the future are The Neighbourhood, Phoenix, and Arctic Monkeys. We feel their fans would connect with our sound and what we bring to the stage.
BMM: You have a highly anticipated album dropping June 4th. How many songs are on there and what can we expect?
EMB: Our band’s upcoming album, Bad Day, features five brand new songs. We wrote it shortly after I went through a breakup, and most of the tracks reflect the range of emotions I felt during that time. Ironically, despite the heavy themes, the album is full of energy.
BMM: June 14th is the album release show—can you give us some details on that?
EMB:
Venue: Cadieux Cafe
Date: June 14th, 2025
Time: 7pm - 11pm
Bands: Ethan Marc Band, Zora Rooibos, Indie Guinn
Tickets: $10
BMM: Detroit Rising—tell us about this. It’s a monthly showcase that other artists benefit from, backed by the Ethan Marc Band?
EMB: Detroit Rising is a monthly artist showcase designed to empower emerging musicians by giving them access to professional-level resources. Artists perform their original songs backed by the Ethan Marc Band, with live instrumentation, professionally mixed audio, and 4K video footage of their set. It’s also a major networking opportunity, connecting artists with key players in the music industry. It’s all about lifting up new talent and giving them a platform that matches their potential.
BMM: How did the Ethan Marc Band form?
EMB: After four years of making music together, Michael called me one day and said, “We should start a band and bring our songs to life on stage.” From that moment on, everything fell into place.
BMM: As an artist, would you rather be in the studio or on the stage?
EMB: Honestly, it depends on the day. The studio is where I pour my heart into the music, but the stage is where everything comes to life—it’s where I get to share that emotion directly with people.
BMM: Let’s wrap with you giving us your favorite Detroit artist, Detroit restaurant, and Detroit venue.
EMB:
- Detroit artist: JMSN—I love the confidence he brings to his music.
- Detroit restaurant: Fat Mike’s Hibachi—my go-to, especially after a late-night performance.
- Detroit venue: El Club—it’ll always be special to me since it’s where we played our very first show.
Learn More: https://www.ethanmarcmusic.com/epk
