Seth Cort has just released his debut single, Hold On.
Hold On is an inspirational Alt Folk Pop song produced by seasoned Rock singer-songwriter Mark Haze. According to Seth, the song is about reminiscing over the good times of a broken relationship, while trying to hold on as long as possible to fix it. The inspiration for the song came from a tough breakup Seth went through, and it was written at midnight, just after the relationship ended.
It is still hard for Seth to believe how far the song has come, from a half-asleep composition to a fully recorded single produced by the legendary Mark Haze. The song matured over time and underwent dramatic changes during recording and production.
According to Mark Haze, Seth approached him early in 2022 while still in school, with several original songs and a desire to craft his own style and sound. Crafting the style and music of a new artist can be tricky when nobody, including the artist, really knows what they actually sound like. However, Seth displayed maturity and great knowledge of his influences, and was certain about how he wanted his songs to flow.
Seth was open to many of Mark Haze’s ideas, and Mark reciprocated in kind. Each idea from one side fueled the other with more exciting options. One of Mark Haze’s favorite experiments with ‘Hold On’ was adding the Gospel-style choir. Mark fondly remembers Seth’s expression when he heard it for the first time, as it was one of those moments he really lives for as a producer. Mark believes Seth has a bright future ahead and feels honored to be part of the team that can tell the story of where it all began.
Seth Cort is a young upcoming Singer-Songwriter from Cape Town in South Africa, playing a fusion of Acoustic Folk and Pop. His focus is on the acoustic guitar, but Seth also plays the ukulele, harmonica, piano, and drums. Seth’s biggest songwriting and musical influences are The Lumineers, Jeremy Loops, Mathew Mole, Mumford and Sons, Vance Joy, and Sons of the East. Their diverse genres and performing styles moulded Seth into the artist he is today. Ultimately, it was The Lumineers that sparked Seth’s music career into action. From the age of 10 he listened to the first Lumineers album on repeat, and so his love for Folk music was born. Seth sung in the choir for the whole of his school career, and from hearing himself singing in the choir, decided to take music seriously and begin to follow a music career.
In 2021 Seth was the overall talent winner at the Cape Town Auditions for The International Arts Showcase and was invited to perform at The International Arts Showcase. Shortly hereafter Seth was invited to perform at the IMTA Talent Convention in New York. Seth was also a finalist at the Bakgat Country Competition, where he performed at The Grand West Casino in Cape Town.
In school Seth was the top music learner and appeared on his school’s roll of honour for his music achievements and attributes. In 2021 he was the top student in school and at Liana Marx Vocal Academy (which has produced artists such like Tasché Burger, Demi Lee Moore, Shaun Tait, Margot Rothman and more. In 2022 Seth was the opening artist for the Simondium Music Festival for artists inclusive of Appel, Nadia Louw, and Desmond Wells. Seth collaborated on songwriting with Gavin Edwards, as well as performed with him at Die Boer.
Early 2022 Seth met seasoned South African Rock Singer-Songwriter and Producer Mark Haze after one of his shows at Die Boer. Seth approached him to record and produce his debut single.
Hold On is available for streaming on all platforms