Out of the funk and jazz-inspired roots of Augusta’s music scene comes Ethan Stallings, the guitarist, singer, and founder of the sensational Ethan Stallings Group, a band that has gone on a tear in Augusta’s music scene over the past year.
From a very young age, Stallings held a significant connection to music. By the time he was 12 years old, he was singing and playing guitar in front of his peers at church, with “Our God” by Chris Tomlin being the first song in his repertoire. After a couple of years of exploring the traditions of worship music, he found great inspiration in the music of Jimi Hendrix.
“It really did change me,” said Stallings about Hendrix. “His playing wasn’t in your face. It was soft and had a soul to it.”
It was at this point that Stallings began to learn Hendrix’s music, which changed his approach to playing guitar and inspired him to write music of his own. At age 16, Stallings began playing in church again, where he met drummer Andrew Fowler. Through his connection with Fowler, Stallings became the bass player for the indie-rock band Village Sticks, which saw significant exposure in Augusta. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic began that Stalling’s musical ventures took a different turn.
In late 2020, Stallings formed the cover band Pure Indigo with Fowler, guitarists Ethan Balducci and Bentley Rhodes, and singer Josh Beaver. With their renditions of old and new pop music, Pure Indigo quickly began filling out each venue they played.
The following year, Stallings joined up with the jazz/funk trio the Brownstown Gritty, where
Stallings was met with a new challenge.
“I give a lot of credit to being in the Brownstown Gritty,” said Stallings. ”It led to me practicing more and having the right idea of what I was supposed to do as a musician.”
After his time with the Brownstown Gritty, Stallings formed the Ethan Stallings Trio with Balducci on bass and Fowler on drums. At first, the band performed their own unique interpretations of popular songs, including the music of Steely Dan, Bozz Scaggs, and other jazz-influenced artists.
“At the time, we did everything we could to set ourselves apart,” said Stallings. “I definitely had something to prove as a guitarist.”
Near the end of 2022, the Ethan Stallings Trio had already performed many times at venues such as the SoulBar and Edgar’s Above Broad. Upon the arrival of 2023, Stallings decided to add original music to the band’s setlist.
“It was really about keeping things interesting,” said Stallings. “I like to be surprised by whatever may come out.”
With the addition of original music to their set also came keyboardist TJ Barnes, which allowed a new range of possibilities for the band’s sound. By the time August of 2023 rolled around, the Ethan Stallings Group was prepared to release their first EP, Wallpaper, which they had recorded in Balducci’s home studio.
“I think there’s something beautiful about that time,” said Stallings about the recording process. “We’re on our own, holding ourselves to the idea that we’re going to get through the takes.”
Wallpaper is a catalog of Stallings’ development as a guitarist. While it stylistically combines the elements of his favorite influences, such as Steely Dan, Jimi Hendrix, Tame Impala and the Doobie Brothers, it also demonstrates the musical techniques he has picked up over his years of playing guitar.
The EP is entirely instrumental, carrying a diverse set of grooves and chord progressions. The guitar is the signature, with a sound similar to that of Pat Metheny and Larry Carlton, who were synonymous with the jazz fusion of the 1970s and 80s. With their first EP, the Ethan Stallings Group has certainly set itself apart in the Augusta music scene.
Since the release of Wallpaper, the Ethan Stallings Group has continued their run of performances in and out of Augusta, appearing at Doc’s Porchside, Stillwater Taproom, Breakers Live, and several more. The band has also begun recording its next album.
The Ethan Stallings Group will be playing at 9 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Southbound Smokehouse in North Augusta, S.C. The band can also be seen playing at the Stillwater Taproom on March 22. Wallpaper can be streamed on YouTube Music, Spotify, and Apple Music.
