Ethan Setiawan has a command of the mandolin far beyond his twenty-some-odd years. He has won both the National Mandolin Championship at Winfield, KS and the Rockygrass Mandolin Championship, and on his new album, “Gambit”, produced by Darol Anger, Setiawan takes the calculated musical risks of a seasoned player. He moves aptly between stylistic influences, harkening back to the experimental string band music pioneered in the early 80s while presenting entirely original compositions. Setiawan was one of three children who were all homeschooled by folk-loving parents, so his childhood was untraditional, and full of exploration. “As a teenager, I loved the idea of going to jams and plugging into this community of people”, he explains. He began driving to Chicago to take lessons with Don Stiernberg during high school. Setiawan attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. “I think I came into Berklee as a very technically oriented musician, but just being exposed to so many different styles and incredible musicians really broadened my musical horizons, and gave me a deeper understanding of artistry and musicality beyond technical proficiency”, he explains. In addition to his solo projects, Setiawan is an in-demand side man and band member. One listen through to “Gambit” will explain why Setiawan is in high demand. Throughout the record, his technical proficiency is rivaled only by his restraint, leaving room for the music to thrive.