Olympia’s Ethan Tucker is no stranger to performing, getting his start playing gigs at age 16. But, on September 20, the 26-year-old Olympia crooner said he felt like it was his first time on the stage. Ethan Tucker belted out his reggae-infused, soulful rendition of The Police’s Roxanne to the backs of the four celebrity judges on NBC’s The Voice.
The result? Pop-rock singer and Maroon 5 front-man Adam Levine and country music super-star Blake Shelton duked it out to have Tucker’s unique sound on their team. In the end, Tucker chose Shelton making Team Blake fans of viewers throughout Thurston County and beyond.
I spoke with Tucker just days after his televised debut and he was reeling from the buzz created by his audition and was happy to be back in his hometown of Olympia when the show aired. Tucker was born in Olympia but spent much of his childhood growing up in Idaho where his mom lived. “I spent summers with my dad’s side of the family in Olympia and have always loved it and considered it my home,” he says. “It’s one of my favorite places in the world.”
A nature lover, Tucker enjoys the mountains and Puget Sound equally and sites crabbing and fishing as some of his favorite ways to relax and connect. “I really love being on the water. It’s so peaceful and I can truly relax from my normally hectic schedule.” Other local favorite spots include the trails at Priest Point Park, Fish Tale Brew Pub, Ricardo’s Restaurant in Lacey and Gardner’s Restaurant in downtown Olympia. “I know the owners of Gardner’s and it just feels like coming home every time I eat there,” he says.
Music was a part of Tucker’s upbringing from an early age. “Music was always in the house growing up,” he says. “Mom had a guitar she’d play around on a bit and my siblings played the piano.” As a child he engaged with all instruments in the house, but gravitated towards the guitar and by age eight had started taking it seriously. With no formal training, Tucker relied in instructional books and YouTube videos, along with the influence of legends such as Jimi Hendricks, Bob Marley, B.B. King and Johnny Hooker, to shape his sound.
When asked about his unique sound, often described as a blend of reggae, blues, rock and ska, Tucker says he feels he defies genre. “Growing up with so much different music around – my mom listening to The Eagles, my sister playing The Cranberries, my siblings listening to rap or Metallica – I never really thought about genre,” Tucker explains. “It’s just music to me.”
Tucker isn’t just a pretty voice, either. He writes his own music and lyrics and has begun producing some of his songs alongside his mentor and veteran artist and producer Michael Franti. “Michael has been a real inspiration to me and help refine my sound and songs,” says Tucker.
The duo collaborated on his latest album, “Misunderstood” which includes hit single “Cool Kids.” The song, written by Tucker and produced by Franti, was inspired by the everyday life of an Olympia 20-something. “I went to a party and there was a girl there I thought was cute. But, the party was kind of fancy, a little more sophisticated than I was used to,” Tucker recalls. “I remember thinking I’m just a simple kid and I can’t dance like the cool kids. The song just grew from there.”
Locals may know Tucker from his many performances around town, always barefoot as his fans can verify, but his success has taken him on tour all around the country as well. “When I’m home, I love playing at Pints Barn in Tumwater,” says Tucker. “It’s packed every time I take the stage. I love the support and appreciation I get locally. There’s nothing like my home-town crowd.”
When he isn’t on the road Tucker lives with his grandmother in Olympia, the same one you can see rooting for him from backstage at The Voice audition. “It makes sense for both of us. I can take care of things around the house and help her out and I don’t have to maintain my own place when I’m out on the road.” And she is certainly one of his biggest fans. “My grandma is amazing,” Tucker shares.
As Tucker looks to his future, with The Voice live shows on the horizon, he’s clear that his goal is to learn something new and to challenge himself musically. “I chose Blake as my coach because he has such a different style, a different outlook musically from me,” Tucker explains. “And he is exceptionally talented and I’m hoping he can help me grow as an artist.”
The Voice live shows begin October 10 and 11 at 8:00 p.m. on NBC with the “Battle Rounds.” Tune-in to see Tucker challenge himself with new songs, arrangements and styles.
“If you never really challenge yourself or go outside your comfort zone,” says Tucker, “you’ll never grow. I’m hoping to grow.”
Follow Ethan Tucker on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and on his website.
