PREMIERE: Wild Horses Ride Free in Ethan Gruska’s “Event Horizon”

The song is more influenced by Kendrick Lamar and Kurt Vonnegut than the 1997 movie.
PREMIERE: Wild Horses Ride Free in Ethan Gruska’s “Event Horizon”

The song is more influenced by Kendrick Lamar and Kurt Vonnegut than the 1997 movie.

Words: Scott T. Sterling

photo by Josh Rothstein

November 15, 2019

A young traveler’s chance encounter at a deserted gas station sets off a chain of surreal events in the striking music video for Ethan Gruska‘s new track, “Event Horizon.” It’s the latest sound and vision from his forthcoming sophomore solo effort, En Garde, set for release January 24 on Warner Records.

The song’s dreamy mood and frantic rhythms are beautifully reflected in the Danica Arias Kleinknecht–directed video, which was filmed in the wilds of Wyoming.

“’Event Horizon’ is probably my favorite on the record. My wife is a Kurt Vonnegut Jr. fan, and told me to read Sirens of Titan; that sci-fi influence is in the song,” Gruska explained. “It’s also my homage to more jazz-influenced hip-hop like Kendrick Lamar, one of my favorite current artists. It’s about being in a room with someone and not being able to put your finger on what they’re thinking, and the relationship between that and an event horizon, this pull where nothing can ever get out as what it really is. And yes, I know it’s also a movie from the ’90s; I looked at the DVD cover while making the song and decided I will never watch it. But I honor it.”

Gruska’s CV is quite impressive, being a former member of The Belle Brigade and working side gigs recording with and producing for the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Matt Berninger, and Fiona Apple when he’s not crafting his own music.

Watch and listen to “Event Horizon” below.