Seth Grey is a Cape Town-based artist whose warm, nostalgic, and smooth sound reflects his appreciation of old-school RnB and soul. His music is a breath of fresh air, combining mature and modern components to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience. Seth’s passion for music has taken him to various locations across Cape Town, and it’s his exceptional talent as a solo performer which distinguishes him from the rest.
With the singles ‘O.S.L’ and ‘U Say’ out now, there is a great deal of excitement and curiosity for what else this multifaceted artist has up his sleeve.
From church choir to the studio
Seth creates songs influenced by 90s and 2000s RnB and soul. He draws on artists such as Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and D’Angelo. His parents were both singers in the church choir, thus he spent most of his childhood immersed in music.
“My dad was a worship leader and my mom sang in the choir. They put me on the stage from a very young age, around four years old, I think,” he adds laughingly.
His song ‘O.S.L.’ [Old School Lovin’] was recorded as a single while he was a student at Cape Music Institute. He wanted to make a catchy, upbeat RnB song about his girlfriend, so he did. It took Seth three years of working with various producers, but he finally found a version of his song that he was satisfied with. His live rendition of ‘O.S.L.’ has been well-received by multiple audiences.
Songwriters intuition
Seth gives credit to local artists such as RnB singer-songwriter, Manana. “His music and the way that he talks about love is just — I’ve never heard anything like it before — and you just want to hear it over and over again,” he adds. He also gives special mention to Zoë Modiga, “I look up to both of them because not only are they great vocalists, but they’re really, really good songwriters as well,” Seth comments. Internationally he appreciates the work of Alex Isley, Tom Misch, and the band Moon Child.
Painting Cape Town red
Seth has performed as a supporting vocalist at venues such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, K Day, Grand West Arena, and the Baxter Theatre. “I think being a backing vocalist has allowed me to be on all of the stages in Cape Town. The only one I haven’t done yet is Cape Town Stadium,” he says.
He intends to return to these venues as a solo performer. “Being a part of all of these festivals was just a dream come true, and I really hope to get on these stages as a solo artist myself,” Seth says.
Leaving a lasting impression
One of Seth’s greatest challenges in the music industry was being an unknown artist and having to make a first impression. “Obviously singing in front of people who’ve mostly never heard you sing before — and that still happens now — is quite nerve-racking,” he adds.
Seth, however, sees this as an opportunity to leave a lasting impression. He advises local artists to put themselves out there and not be afraid to perform in front of people who have never heard them sing before.
Uniquely, Seth Grey
Seth sets himself apart as a solo artist through his unique sound and stage presence. He hopes to continue growing as a musician and collaborate with various artists locally and internationally. To Seth, his journey in the music industry so far has been a dream come true, and he hopes to perform on bigger stages and release more music in the future.
Seth has racked up a fair few notable accolades for such a young musician. He has shared the stage with the likes of Karen White and Craig Lucas and he has even featured as a supporting vocalist on Jimmy Nevis’ latest album.
“I think being a true lover of music, listening to all genres from jazz to rap, to rock, will really take you far. Listen to everything, just so that you can be more rounded as an artist. I think that that’s kind of what sets me apart,” he says.
His latest singles, ‘U Say’ and ‘O.S.L.’ are now available across all major streaming platforms.
