Alumni Spotlight
ETHAN REICHWALD
Ethan Reichwald, a Truckee native and Tahoe Truckee School of Music alum, has been on a musical journey since he was six. Now a senior at University of California Santa Cruz, Ethan and his Trash Day bandmates have recorded and released their first album. We recently caught up with Ethan to learn more about his journey and this inspiring achievement.
TTSM: What inspired you to get into music?
Ethan: My parents insisted I take piano lessons at an early age. But I wasn’t disciplined in my practice and eventually lost inspiration. While in middle school, Ben at Tahoe Truckee School of Music did a guitar workshop in my class. It was the first time I picked up a guitar and it inspired me. Shortly after, my parents enrolled me at Tahoe Truckee School of Music and I practiced and played through high school.
I soon found a passion for music, orchestra, band, and theater. Music provided an outlet for me to be creative. There are a lot of athletic opportunities in Lake Tahoe for youth but not a lot of artistic opportunities. Ben and the music school give space to explore your artistic and creative side.
TTSM: What do you like most about making music?
Ethan: What I like most about making music is the ability to process life. I write a lot of my own music and it allows me to navigate emotionally and intellectually and provides space for self reflection and to learn about myself.
When playing as part of a band I love the flow and being in a creative space with other people where you can zone in on feelings and emotions. I like the way it offers you to be present in the moment with other people.
TTSM: As an alum of Tahoe Truckee School of Music, how did that experience shape you as a musician?
Ethan: While enrolled at TTSM, Ben always found opportunities for students to perform and get up on stage. It creates pathways for kids to gain confidence, to learn public speaking, and the motivation to play and practice music.
The school helped build my musical foundation and I wouldn’t be the person that I am without the influences of Ben. My love for the guitar, my song voice, and my confidence to be on stage performing can all be tied back to the school. I am extremely grateful.
TTSM: Tell us a little about Trash Day. How would you describe the music you usually create?
Ethan: I joined Trash Day when I was a sophomore at UCSC. It was during COVID and I was just hanging out. At the time, it was a jam band. They didn’t have a vocalist. I brought vocals, rhythm guitar, and stage presence. But the foundation was already there. We now have a nice live band aesthetic.
We ignore the notion of genre and play what we are feeling. We lean towards punk, indie, and hard rock. We perform music that makes us and our listeners feel good. Our demographic is people that like to rock out and mosh. Because that’s what we like to do.
TTSM: Congratulations on the release of your first album. What was that experience like?
Ethan: Around the time COVID was ebbing, the live music scene exploded in Santa Cruz. It was at this time when the band was getting better and better that we connected with Free the Youth to help us book live gigs around Santa Cruz. My big dream was to play the iconic Catalyst Club which is also pretty exclusive. We Played small venues; Bocce’s gave us our start. We grew from there and have since opened for bands at Catalyst Club.
On the release of our album, it’s been an incredible journey to write songs and then to break them down and learn how to portray them on tracks. Trevor is the lead guitarist and he produced the whole thing from writing guitar solos and the big moments. It was his first time and the quality of the tracks are amazing.
TTSM: What advice do you have for youth starting their musical journey?
Ethan: It’s not easy to learn an instrument so don’t be so hard on yourself for not knowing everything right away. You will learn and you will get better, and you will grow to be a good professional musician. Follow your passion and don’t give up.