Interview with Nice Vice (a.k.a Seth Horst)

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• I’ve been surrounded by music my while life. Both of my parents are musicians and it’s something that came naturally to me but took me a long time to realize it’s what I wanted to pursue in life. I think if I wasn’t fully focused on music right now I’d still be acting, it always has been my other passion in life and something I’d like to do again some day.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• I love watching and playing many different sports. I’m a huge sports fan, I’m not sure really what it does for to influence my creativity directly but the pure raw dedication of athletes to their craft is something I find very inspiring.

How long have you been making music?

• I started writing songs around 5 years ago. I spent probably 3 solid years just writing and learning with no intention to record anything… But that changed when I realized I might actually be pretty good at it!  

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

• I’m based out of Toronto. There’s so many great Canadian bands and amazing music venues in the city. It’s always been easy to go hear someone play and going to all of those home shows over the years really inspired me to grow as a writer.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

• Well I only have one under the belt so far. We played Sneaky Dees in January and it was an absolute blast. So many friends and family and even some strangers came out to see the show and as nervous as I was it was pure magic and I can’t wait to do it again and again.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• As of right now my favourite venue would be Sneaky Dees because it’s the only one I’ve played but even just in Toronto there’s so many I’d love to play at, one being the El Macombo which we are playing the album release show at on July 7th so very excited about that opportunity.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• If I could have it my way I would play a show where I open up for the Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam. Three of my favourite bands of all time and probably my three most beloved shows I’ve ever been to.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• The only advice I can give is don’t rush. There’s no reason to rush, take your time and learn and figure out what makes you tick and what you’re good at. I spent a lot of time just learning about myself as a writer and I’m still figuring out a lot of stuff creatively to this day. To my younger self I’d say don’t be so scared of it, The thought of putting my own art out into the world always scared me and it turns out it’s not scary, its beautiful.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• I would have to say “Huron Breeze” it’s not out yet, it will be on the record when it’s released in the summer. That song is about my favourite place on earth and everything it makes me feel, I think it’s maybe the most honest and beautiful thing I’ve ever made and I’m excited for everyone to hear it.

Which songs are your favourite to play and which get requested the most?

• Like I said, we’ve only had one show so I’m yet to find out which ones get requested the most. My favourite ones to play are Regrets and Cigarettes, Dust and Huron Breeze. Dust will be coming to you shortly!

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

• My process usually works with writing riffs and sitting on them for a while until something melodic shows itself to the song. Sometimes though I’ll write a piece and the melody and the words almost instantly show themselves. Either way it always starts with a guitar. I think everything inspires me to write my music, a lot of it is just how I’m feeling on any given day but it’s just the raw desire to want to plug in to an amp and make something out of nothing.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?

• I don’t think anything specific, at least on this first record. It’s sort of scattered and there’s multiple different vibes and sounds coming out of the songs. It’s going to be up to the listener to decide what they feel the message or the meaning of it all is.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• The album release show is July 7th at the famous El Macombo in Toronto and the record is going to come out a couple days prior to the show, that’s the biggest thing to spotlight. The next single Dust will be coming out in around a month from now so stay tuned for that as well!

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

• I’m on instagram @nicevicemusic and Tok Tok with the same name. All of my music videos are up on youtube if you search Nice Vice, there will be some very cool live videos going up on all of those soon as well! Check it out