We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ethan Hoffman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ethan below.

Ethan, appreciate you joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

I’ve often felt misunderstood, not just in my work but in my life. I grew up in a unique environment—raised by two moms in a Jewish household—and, on the surface, I might have looked like a typical jock, but inside, I was a theater kid bouncing off the walls in class. No one knew how to categorize me. I was picked on a lot as a kid, and I was confused as to why the life I was born into seemed to set me apart so much.

As I got older, I found solace, triumph, and ultimately, a sense of enlightenment and redemption in music. Writing songs helped me see that maybe I’ll never be fully understood, and that’s okay. Humans are complex, multifaceted beings. One song I write might capture the most maladaptive version of myself—the side of me that I meditate to heal—while another might explore my love for my moms and my brother. The range in my storytelling is vast, and I don’t seek to be put in any box.

At first, I craved understanding from others, feeling deeply wounded by the labels I was given. But now, I welcome any label or misunderstanding because I know that’s part of art. One person might look at a Jackson Pollock painting and condemn it for its messiness, while another sees the divinity in the chaos. Art, like life, isn’t meant to be fully understood—it’s meant to be felt.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised on the beautiful coast of California in Palos Verdes, and I’ve been fortunate in many ways. My family was always loving and harmonious, and my two moms allowed me to explore my passions. From the moment I first heard the radio, I was hooked. Music became a part of me—I would sing along in the car, and the melodies would linger in my head long after. I’d draw pictures of my favorite artists in class, even sketching myself on stage with them.

As I grew older, my love for music evolved. It began with theater—performing in local productions. But when high school rolled around, I struggled with the stigma of being a theater kid. I wanted something different, and I drifted into the wrong crowds, experimenting with weed. It didn’t take long to realize that lifestyle wasn’t sustainable, so I quit. The more I sobered up, the clearer it became that the friendships I had built were shallow, driven by substances, not genuine connections. I knew I was destined for something more meaningful. So, at 16, I made a drastic choice: I went to military school. It might seem like an unexpected move, but I was drawn to leading others, living by strong values, and becoming independent.

For two years, I lived a unique, rigorous, but fulfilling life at an all-male military boarding school. While I was there, music took a back seat—I couldn’t exactly belt out songs in the barracks. But by senior year, I picked up the guitar and devoted my time to learning how to accompany myself. After military school, I headed to USC, where I’m now a senior studying business administration. But it didn’t take long for me to realize business wasn’t my calling. I felt lost, and out of touch with structure and purpose. I joined a fraternity to try to recreate the brotherhood I’d had in military school, but the party scene didn’t provide the deep, genuine connections I was searching for.

Everything shifted when I met a few musicians in my fraternity. We began collaborating, and I rediscovered my passion for creating. I started writing every chance I got, pouring my heart into the craft. Then, in November 2023, my life changed. I was featured in a TikTok video with comedian Morgan Jay, and that video was viewed 130 million times. At that moment I felt the universe telling me I was meant to be an artist. I launched my own TikTok, began sharing my original songs, and dove headfirst into the music industry.

Right as the momentum was building, I left for a six-month study abroad program in a rural town in Germany with a population of 8,000. It was inconvenient timing, but I knew I had to keep creating. During those six months, I wrote 101 songs and released two singles from my bedroom in Germany, working with a producer based in LA. I continued to build on the momentum from the TikTok video, performing at house shows and live streams with Morgan Jay, and I’m honored to be playing his theater tour next year.

Now, as I finish my last year at USC, I’m also embracing a new passion: Qi Gong. Qi Gong, which means “energy flow,” is an ancient Chinese healing practice that combines breath, movement, and intention to create physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The practice has had a profound impact on me, and I’m currently completing a teacher training certification with the goal of starting my own business to bring Qi Gong to America. Just like yoga was once esoteric to the West, I believe Qi Gong is on the verge of becoming a widely embraced practice for holistic healing.

My life’s trajectory has been anything but linear, but through it all, I’ve stayed committed to living in the present moment and finding joy in every second. That’s what I hope people feel in my music—an invitation to elevate their consciousness, to see the world with more clarity and compassion, and to return to their peaceful, playful, introspective nature. So much of life exposes us to negativity, and my music is here to break that cycle, helping listeners reconnect with their true selves.

I’m young, always evolving, and always open to change. At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to authenticity. I want my music to be a soundtrack to life that resonates deeply with those who hear it—because at the end of the day, we’re all searching for something real, something that helps us feel alive.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To me, the most important part of being an artist is being of service. When I play music, I don’t feel like I’m the one singing—it’s as if the universe is expressing itself through me as a vessel. Pharrell and Jon Batiste, two of my biggest inspirations, often speak about this feeling, and it resonates deeply with my own experience. There’s a profound humility that comes with knowing I have the opportunity to share stories and emotions from a place that’s bigger than my ego and personal identity. It’s incredibly rewarding to create music that connects people to something greater, something universal. Every time I perform, I’m reminded that my role as an artist is to be a conduit for that energy, and it’s a gift I never take for granted.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I’m very optimistic about NFTs becoming a predominant currency in the future. While they’re still in the early stages of development, I believe our generation will eventually see their true potential as they mature. Imagine if you could have purchased intellectual property for Adele’s “Someone Like You”—what an incredible investment that would be. Attending one of her concerts might even feel different, knowing you hold a piece of that song’s legacy. This is just one example of how NFTs could revolutionize the music industry. I think it’s important to keep an open mind about emerging technologies, even if we don’t fully understand them yet. With NFTs, I’m excited to explore their possibilities rather than dismiss them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ethanhoffmanofficial.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanbhoffman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethanbhoffman/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanbhoffman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ethanbhoffman

Image Credits

Eric Yeich, USCConcerts Committee