Ethereal in E: The Story of Adam Foote, Handpan Star

Have you recently seen a video of a man playing a truly unique musical instrument by a lake—or even standing in the water itself? Are you wondering what instrument it is and who this artist might be? Would you like to learn more about this percussionist who goes by Ethereal in E or The Handpan Man?

I first discovered Adam Foote—the artist behind the name Ethereal in E—during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. I loved his compositions and wanted to learn more about his background, as well as how he discovered and learned to play the handpan. So, in this article, I’ll share all the information I’ve been able to gather.

By taking the time to read this article, you will learn:

• The story of Ethereal in E
• How he became a global handpan star
• This musician’s discography

By the end, your curiosity about Ethereal in E will undoubtedly be satisfied, and you’ll be able to form a genuine connection with this artist, who’s known for his closeness to nature.

Now, let’s take a closer look at who Ethereal in E really is.

Who exactly is Ethereal in E, also known as Adam Foote or The Handpan Man?

Behind the name Ethereal in E, also known as The Handpan Man, is an American musician named Adam Foote. Born in 1984, he is 42 years old as I write this, and he spent his childhood in Brooklyn Heights, on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio. He currently lives near the city of Coeur d'Alene in the state of Idaho. From a young age, Ethereal in E developed a strong interest in percussion instruments, starting by tapping and striking anything that could produce sound. Very soon, at the age of 11, he joined his local church choir, playing various percussion instruments, including the drums. It was around this time that the desire to become a professional musician began to take root in the mind of this budding artist.

Tragedy struck when his father, who suffered from bipolar disorder, died by suicide. Music took a back seat for a while as Foote pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Taylor University and a master’s in social work from Eastern Washington University. During his studies, he met his future wife, and they were married a few months later. The couple then embarked on a road trip in a camper van bound for Alaska. Along the way, Ethereal in E’s wife became pregnant, and they settled in Post Falls in 2006. To ensure their future son, whom they named Logan, would want for nothing, they settled in Spokane Valley, finding work and a place to live, before eventually moving two years later to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Shortly after this move, the couple divorced, plunging Adam Foote into a dark period of his life. Speaking about it later, he said: “I went through a period of deep depression, and I began to change my life and turn toward what makes me happy.” Naturally, he turned to what he’d always loved since he was young: music. Ethereal in E adds: “When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a drummer in a punk rock band. Later, after a difficult period and a divorce, I reconnected with my passion for percussion,” and also, “After my divorce, I felt really lonely and sad, and I was trying to get out of that rough patch.”

So he returned to drumming. One evening, while performing at the Iron Horse bar in Coeur d’Alene, he was asked to join a band as a drummer, which he accepted. He particularly enjoyed the experience, but he was quickly replaced a few months later by another musician. Nevertheless, he stayed on this path, which eventually led him to discover the handpan.

How did this percussionist discover the Hang drum?

In 2013, while Adam Foote was unemployed, he regularly sold his plasma to make ends meet. Completely by chance, while he was donating plasma, he was watching YouTube videos and came across one by Daniel Waples, a musician playing a little-known instrument resembling a flying saucer. It was, of course, a handpan. Impressed by the sounds and acoustics produced by this instrument, Adam Foote felt it could be a real springboard for his musical career. For nearly three years, he searched for a similar instrument and finally acquired one in 2016. From that point on, he began performing, mainly on the street but also at small local concerts, which allowed him to record his first album in 2017, which he titled "Cœur Dreams." Around the same time, he adopted the stage name Ethereal in E, inspired by the definition of “ethereal” as heavenly. He recalls thinking, “What a perfect word to describe what comes out of this instrument!”

You can create beautiful melodies, too, with this excellent handpan

4.6/5 — 500+ Reviews

View the D major handpan

At the same time, Adam was distributing his CDs door-to-door to local businesses in Coeur d’Alene, hoping they would hire him to play live. He then began performing in restaurants, yoga studios, festivals, bars, and retirement homes. In the meantime, he managed to get hired at a school as a psychotherapist and guidance counsellor. But the more his music career progressed, the more unhappy he felt. Following a verbal altercation with his boss and burnout, he resigned from his position in 2018 to devote himself fully to music. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic limited Adam Foote’s opportunities to perform live, so he turned to Facebook to share his music. The results weren’t immediately promising. But he noticed that another handpan musician, Australian Dan Byrne—better known as Cymatic Harmony—had managed to gain significant recognition through TikTok. So he decided to open an account to share his melodies and compositions on that platform.

To attract the widest possible audience, Ethereal in E decided to adopt a highly recognizable style. Here’s what he says about it: “When I decided to embark on this adventure, I asked myself, ‘How can I stand out?’ When you think of Bob Marley, you think of dreadlocks; when you think of ZZ Top, you think of beards. I thought to myself: ‘I can get dreadlocks and grow a beard.’ These artists inspired me to have a different look and be proud of it. It’s important to stand out so people remember you.” It’s worth mentioning that, because of this distinctive look, Ethereal in E is sometimes mistaken for a homeless person. That’s not the case—he lives in a house.

This choice has paid off, as Ethereal in E has become the most popular handpan player on the planet. Best known for playing melodies near—or even in—Lake Coeur d’Alene, he also gained notoriety by singing his own versions of “Happy Birthday.” Today, he has over 10 million followers on TikTok and more than 3 million on YouTube. Here’s a sample of what he offers his listeners: 

What is the discography of this talented percussionist?

Since 2017, Ethereal in E’s discography has continued to grow. Music platforms notably list the albums Coeur Dreams (2017), Wilderness Therapy (2019), Rainy Day Rhythms (2025), Songbird Sessions (2025), and Whispering Waters (2025). Singles such as Echoes of Angels (2023), The Rhythm of Rain (2023), Opening the Portal (2024), and Welcome to Earth (2025) also appear in Spotify’s search results. It’s worth noting that Ethereal in E also collaborates on tracks like “BKBK” with Coal Bones. This timeline confirms that his work isn’t limited to short viral clips: Ethereal in E is also building a music catalogue on streaming platforms.

Extend the experience by purchasing your own handpan

Ethereal in E is not just a musician who plays the handpan in beautiful settings. His journey also tells the story of a pivotal discovery in 2013, a gradual shift from street performances and local gigs, and a rise to digital prominence built on a highly recognizable artistic identity. Thanks to everything you’ve read in this article, you now certainly know much more about the journey of this world-renowned artist.

While Ethereal in E has played a major role in popularizing the handpan, finding a high-quality model is no easy task, as many sellers offer instruments with very poor acoustics. To ensure you make the right choice, I recommend the Instruments du Monde online store. With over 100 different models available, you’re guaranteed to find the instrument that suits you best while enjoying extraordinary sounds. For example, the Celtic minor range draws from the musical traditions of Ireland and Scotland.

Treat yourself to this fabulous handpan by clicking on the image below:

Create enchanting, otherworldly tunes with this premium handpan

4.6/5 — 500+ Reviews

View the Celtic minor handpan

Do you know what the Animara project is? It’s a group of Russian musicians who, around 2013, founded their own handpan school. Today, Animara operates in several countries and trains the next generation of top hang drum players. Be sure to read my article on the subject to learn more.