Advertisement

Meet an 8-year-old boy who has already recorded 7 albums

Eight-year-old Ethan Gough is one of many musicians patting themselves on the back this week, now that they've completed the RPM Challenge, which dares participants to record an entire album in the month of February.

But Gough is notable for reasons besides his young age: this marks his seventh album and he's clear his musical aspirations pre-date his time in this world.

"When I was in my mother's stomach, I had an obsession with drumming. Like literally, I would always be tapping," Gough told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

"Her belly would always be like boom, boom, boom."

Flash forward from those (very) early days to now, when Gough plays ukulele, drums and bass guitar, and is learning how to play piano and guitar.

Gough's album This is Me, completed with the help of his dad Will, features tracks about time travel and even a rap about his book club.

"I joined [the RPM Challenge] eight years ago and I missed one year in 2013," he said.

'The giantest!'

Just how big a deal is the RPM Challenge in the Gough household, where both father and son have completed the musical mission?

"The giantest!" he said.

But it isn't all fun all the time tackling new tunes, as Gough was feeling the pressure as March 1 loomed.

"I was like 'I'm so tired, can you get me a break?' Nope, we got to finish it today. I was like 'Oh my gosh, I'm stressing,'" he said.

But all's well that ends well and February ended with yet another album for the eight-year-old who, not only comes across as wise behind his years, but has armed himself with seemingly practical advice for achieving future goals.

"I've learned a lot of things ... and that's where I get my confidence from, when people tell me that I can't do it," said Gough.

"I build up more confidence and I'm like 'I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this."