Meet Ethan Mars (gaetano Marsico)

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ethan Mars (gaetano Marsico). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ethan , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by staying open to new experiences and constantly exploring different forms of expression. Whether through music with Falling Giant, acting, directing, or writing, I see each project as a way to understand and share emotions. Creativity, for me, isn’t about grand gestures but about the small, everyday moments that inspire something deeper.

Reading has always been a fundamental part of my journey. I immerse myself in literature, letting stories and ideas shape my perspective. I also seek out art in all its forms—paintings, films, music, performances—allowing it to influence me and spark new thoughts. I believe that creativity is a dialogue between what we absorb and what we give back to the world. Whether on stage, behind a camera, or writing a story, I see each step as part of an ongoing journey—one that keeps evolving as I do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Ethan Mars, an actor, director, writer, and the frontman of the alternative rock band Falling Giant. My journey has always been deeply connected to artistic expression in its many forms. I started with acting, studying acting at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, which led me to work in film, theater, and later, directing. But music has always been a fundamental part of who I am, and with Falling Giant, I found the perfect way to merge storytelling with raw emotion.

Falling Giant is more than just a band—it’s a creative universe where elegance, darkness, and sensuality come together to explore the depths of human emotion. Our music is inspired by literature, visual arts, and the experiences that shape us. We want to create something that resonates, that makes people feel and dream. Recently, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to reach a broader audience, appearing on Billboard and Vanity Fair, and releasing new music that truly represents our artistic vision.

Most recently, we released our latest single, “Show of the False,” along with our new album, “Dead Roses.” This project is deeply personal and conceptual, telling a story that blends passion, fate, and the inevitable pull of darkness. Beyond music, I continue to work on my film and writing projects, always searching for new ways to challenge myself artistically.

At the core of everything I do is a simple mission: to inspire others to chase their dreams. I know what it’s like to fight for a vision, and if our art can push someone to believe in their own, then we’ve done something meaningful.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, curiosity, and authenticity.

– Resilience: The path of an artist—whether in music, acting, or writing—is full of challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. What made the difference for me was learning to keep going, to adapt without losing my vision. My advice? Embrace failure as part of the process. Every rejection or obstacle is a lesson that strengthens you.

– Curiosity: I’ve always believed that creativity is fueled by learning. Reading, studying different art forms, and staying open to new influences have shaped my work in unexpected ways. For those starting out, my suggestion is to never stop exploring—art, history, philosophy, life itself. Everything you absorb will find its way into your work.

– Authenticity: In a world full of noise, staying true to yourself is what makes your art stand out. With Falling Giant, in my acting, and in my writing, I’ve learned that the most powerful stories come from honesty. My advice? Don’t chase trends—find your voice, refine it, and trust it.

A fundamental part of my journey has also been my Buddhist practice. It has helped me stay grounded, overcome fear, and approach both success and failure with the same sense of purpose. Buddhism teaches that everything is a process of inner transformation, and that true strength comes from within. For those just starting out, I’d say: **cultivate a strong inner world**. Whatever path you choose, your mindset and spiritual foundation will be just as important as your talent.

For anyone at the beginning of their journey, remember that growth takes time. Stay patient, work hard, and never stop believing in what you’re creating.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One book that played a pivotal role in my development was Hamlet by William Shakespeare. It was my first true literary epiphany when I was young. I remember the overwhelming sense of recognition when reading Hamlet’s inner turmoil, his reflections on life, death, and the human condition. The existential questions, the internal conflict, and the paradoxes in the play all resonated deeply with me. The famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be,” became a mantra of sorts for me—one that challenged me to think about my own existence, choices, and purpose. Shakespeare’s exploration of the complexities of the human soul and the inevitability of fate helped me understand that life is far from simple, and that understanding and accepting our inner contradictions is key to personal growth.

More recently, I decided to push past my own preconceptions and delve into the work of Yukio Mishima, an author I hadn’t fully explored before. I had always known his reputation, but there was something about his intense and sometimes controversial exploration of beauty and death that intrigued me. I made a commitment to read his entire bibliography, and doing so was transformative. Mishima’s “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion” challenged my thoughts on obsession, beauty, and the destructive side of desire. His life and work, filled with a sense of tragic beauty, taught me the importance of understanding the complex interplay between personal identity and the world around us.

However, if I had to choose one book to bring with me to a deserted island, it would be a collection of Kafka’s novels. Kafka is my constant teacher, offering lessons that never cease to resonate with me.

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Image Credits

Photos by Marsikarma

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