Ethan Gough - Echoes of April (2026)

Tracklist

01. First Winter
02. Softly, Silently
03. Shifting Focus
04. Echoes of April
05. The Moment
06. Cerulean
07. Show Me How
08. Breakthrough

Echoes of April is the sophomore offering from Canadian composer and bassist Ethan Gough. Arriving two years after the release of his folk-inspired debut Unbecoming, this new project represents a decisive shift in musical approach, and style. This album marks a maturity and a shift in his priorities creatively; away from potent, and sometimes self-deprecating lyrics, in favour of raw, intimate and emotional melodies, chords, and performances.

Being born and raised in Newfoundland, Gough is no stranger to an unpredictable climate. This album mainly draws its inspiration from the phenomenon of “false spring,” those brief glimpses of warmth and light that get very rapidly, and abruptly overtaken by unexpected, late-season snow. Similarly to the weather that inspired it, the music of this album is reflective of yearning for a season that has not quite arrived. With up-tempo latin and swing inspired grooves, to pensive, nostalgic ballads, this album truly paints the emotions, and illusion of experiencing a false spring first hand.

Echoes of April also serves as Gough’s first jazz project released with his brand new quintet, the Ethan Gough Project, however his relationship with the genre goes much deeper. Growing up, sounds of artists such as Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis, and Bill Evans filled his home. As he grew older, exposure to jazz fusion artists such as Weather Report and Chick Corea would lay the groundwork for his early explorations in the genre. His first experience playing in his junior high and honours jazz bands would later prove pivotal. “Those were some life-changing experiences,” he recalls. “I was in an environment where I felt completely free and expressive in a way I hadn’t experienced before.”

This album represents a continuation of that journey, furthering his experience into the world of contemporary jazz mixed with some fusion elements to homage to his roots. Gough has developed a unique voice through a blend of many influences such as indie rock, folk, EDM and classical music, and his writing chops are at full display on this album. Throughout the record, Gough demonstrates his abilities to handle many different styles with grace, and maturity. The result is a body of work that balances technical ambition with emotional and self awareness, a trademark of Gough’s work across any genre or medium.

Central to the album’s sound is Gough’s collaboration with four of his close friends, who are some of Newfoundland’s promising emerging jazz musicians. Having known each other for years, played in various bands together, and having gone to school together, their collective chemistry brings an unmistakable sense of cohesion, and most importantly, fun to this record. This helps to elevate the music beyond a solo endeavour into something more collaborative and alive.

With Echoes of April, Ethan Gough creates a project that is both personal, and collective; an exploration of change, expectation, and artistic identity. It captures a moment of transition, not only between seasons, but within a young, developing voice that continues to redefine itself.

Ethan Gough Project:
Ethan Gough – upright & electric bass
Bruce Ramsay – drums & percussion
Noah Taylor - trumpet
Basile Vuillaume - piano & synths
Nathan Wilson - tenor sax