Emerging London-born folk artist Seth Tabatznik has undergone a profound creative and personal awakening over the past few years. In 2024, after confronting serious health challenges, he stepped back from his leadership positions at the Be The Earth Foundation and 42 Acres to slow down, reconnect with the natural world, and live with greater intention. From this period of stillness came his debut album When The Wind Rests, a deeply reflective work grounded in renewal and presence. Now based in South Africa’s Western Cape mountains, Seth’s folk and medicine-inspired sound—shaped by mentors Nick Mulvey and Rainer Scheurenbrand—radiates warmth, sincerity, and reverence for the earth. Following sold-out shows in London and Cape Town, and over 100,000 streams since his debut, he returns with ‘Choose To Be Alive’, out now via Moth Music, a luminous ode to gratitude and the beauty of simply being. Read our full conversation with the moving artist below.
Tell us about you — how long have you been making music, and what inspired you to start?
I’ve played music as a hobby for most of my life — around fires, with friends, on retreats and at gatherings — but it was only in 2024 that it became a real focus. During a mountain retreat, a friend asked how much time I gave to music. “Maybe 1–2%,” I said. He smiled and replied, “What if you gave it ten times that?” Around the same time, some health challenges forced me to step back from other commitments and created space for me to do this — and I finally leaned in. That same year, my debut album When The Wind Rests was born. Music has since become not just a creative outlet, but a form of healing, a spiritual practice, a community builder, and a deeper exploration of who I am and what it means to be alive.
The music industry is incredibly competitive these days. Was there ever a moment when you thought about giving up? How did you stay focused and true to your path?
Because music came into my life later, it’s never felt like something I could “give up” — more like something that chose me. I don’t approach it as a competition; I approach it as a practice of self-exploration, self-expression, and, most importantly, as an offering to the world. My music and message are intended to help people reconnect with themselves, each other, and with nature. It’s less about ambition or ego, and more about staying integral to why I’m doing this — holding true to the path despite the many distractions along the way.
How would you describe your creative process? Do the music and lyrics come together, or separately?
I don’t have a formula for making music. Almost every song has its own unique story. They come from nowhere, when they’re ready — and when I’m ready to receive them. Usually, they begin as a seed that needs nurturing before it becomes a fully formed song.
I might be walking, running, playing with my kids, or sitting under a tree when something stirs — a phrase, a rhythm, a feeling. I’ll spend time with each song, refining it before creating a demo. Once I’m in the studio, I shape it more intentionally — layering harmonies, textures, and instruments — but the essence always remains spontaneous and guided by feeling rather than formula.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Nature is my greatest inspiration. I know that we are nature, but it’s really when I’m out in the elements that I feel most alive and connected to life itself.
I’m also inspired by the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza and his use of meditation and sound as tools for transformation. I’ve reached similar states to those experienced through working with psychedelics — of which I’m also a great admirer. When working with psychedelics, I’m always fascinated by the role and importance of music in deepening the journey.
What’s next for you?
My second album, Awakening Embers, will be released in February 2026. It feels like a continuation and deepening of the journey that began with When The Wind Rests. I’m also planning shows in South Africa and the UK for 2026. Beyond music, I’m involved in several projects around the world that align with my creative and spiritual path — including retreat centres, food and farming initiatives, and alternative education programmes where I play an advisory role. But overall, I try to keep my diary as clear and flexible as possible, allowing space for flow and creativity — because for me, inspiration awakens most when there’s room for it to breathe.