Not many can claim to have their entire lives devoted to electronic music. Seth Nichols is one of the few. DJ, promoter, record store owner, producer, Seth dabbles in a bit of everything, and executes it all with perfection. You may have purchased vinyl from him at his old shop – Evolving Records (or his new shop, Love Vinyl Records). You may have seen him at one of his resident nights at Therapy Nightclub in Indianapolis. You may even have been handed one of his mixes at WMC.
Whatever your connection to Seth, it’s clear he has a true passion for what he does. And it’s infectious. Being a fan (and friend) of Seth for several years, I finally convinced him to sit down with me for an interview so you can get to know him a bit more intimately:
Adam Singer: You play the role of DJ, music store owner, club management/promoter and music producer. What’s your secret to success in so many different niches? Which is your favorite?
Seth Nichols: I would say more than anything, the music keeps me on track. With the continual flow of music through my hands I’m able to stay well informed with what’s going on in the music – which is the basis of all my niches. My days are filled with record store business and promoting events. While my nights consist of producing, DJing, and attending events. It’s a busy schedule, but consisting of things I hold dearly.
Of all I would say my favorite is DJing. It is such an amazing thing whether with friends or a club crowd, and always a blast.
Many of us remember your previous store (Evolving Records) fondly. Will you give us an introduction us to the new concept?
With the new webstore (Love Vinyl Records) I will still continue the concept of Evolving Records. However the new store will include a wider range of vinyl record items, from Shellac 78s to Classic Rock ballads and more, including a great selection of EDM. The new web store is mainly just a more encompassing idea than the previous store.
Do you find selling vinyl in a digital marketplace to be a challenge? How has demand changed over the years?
I would say it has created a challenge for record stores, no doubt. Many record stores have closed their doors here in America, and to a smaller degree abroad. However, this doesn’t mean that vinyl is dead, or dying. The vinyl record market has changed, and has gotten smaller in some areas, yet bigger in others. Commercial sales of vinyl records are actually reported to be up 10% already this year in America, while CD sales are declining. This comes after a reported 7% increase in commercial sales of vinyl records last year. Of course this is not a major statistic, but I do think it is a trend.
Many people still appreciate artifacts of music and this will keep the vinyl record selling. There isn’t a better medium for music collectors than the vinyl record. It’s a sizeable entity able to display substantial artwork and other interesting related information. As well, the sound quality of the vinyl record, even with all the technology of today, cannot be surpassed nor duplicated by any digital form.
As a DJ that still primarily plays vinyl records, I find it to be making a statement of sorts. I truly enjoy playing vinyl records more than CDs or serrato and the likes. It’s what we started with and shall continue with. The look, the feel, and the sound of vinyl will always win out for me.
All in all, the demand has changed in that less DJs (that often times find the music to be expendable) are buying records, but more collectors are (still) buying records.
In addition to your website, you embrace such tools as Ebay to connect music lovers, fans and DJs with their favorite vinyl. Tell us a bit about your experiences with that, as well as other unique tools you’ve found helpful.
Yes I’ve been using eBay as a selling tool for about 7 years selling mainly vinyl records. Records used to go for a lot more money on eBay than they do now, mainly because all the buyers have found their treasures over the past 5 or so years so the demands have decreased. As well, I think a lot of buyers have been burned on eBay and are no longer using it as a place to purchase records. Currently I mainly use eBay to liquidate records that have not been selling very well for me, or that I may have multiple copies of.
Many of the vinyl record sellers for electronic music have begun using www.discogs.com to sell their records as opposed to eBay or the eBay stores. All of the stock on my website is also located on discogs marketplace, which has worked out very well for me.
Let’s shift gears a bit to Seth the artist. I’ve been a fan of your mixes for years, and have loved that you’ve stayed true to your sound. Tell us a bit of what kind of stuff you’re into these days, and what’s been inspiring you lately.
I have to say my sound is continually developing, yet always remaining somewhat grounded in the progressive and tech styles. I’m currently very inspired by many Germany based artists doing the minimal techno sound with a progressive twist. My gravitation towards the minimal sounds really began with the Border Community label from James Holden. The fusion of very organic sounds on a subtle level with big basslines and swelling melodies and great atmospherics.
I would say that my style is dark at times but it always finds its way to the light somewhere, somehow. The diversity is always present as well as I like many different vibes and styles of music. I like finding a way to make them work together in harmony to create something very original and exciting.
There’s quite a buzz about your nights in Indianapolis at Therapy. Give us some background as to what you’ve been doing there, what kind of artists you’ve been bringing in, and what’s next.
Over the past year we’ve been trying to build Therapy Nightclub & Lounge up with headliners and quality local acts that deserve exposure. We’ve brought Ferry Corsten, Joel Mull, Frankie Vega, Billy Dalessandro, Habersham, Aphrodite, and many others. In the current works we have Phynn (on Tiesto’s Black Hole label), and Stacy Kidd (great Chicago house DJ). Playing as a resident there over the past year has been a great experience and has helped me develop further as a DJ in skill, style, and how I play to different audiences.
What’s been your favorite night at Therapy so far?
I’d have to say my favorite night musically was Habersham, an amazing artist and DJ. Favorite night as a party would have to be Ferry Corsten, he packed the place.
With so many aspects to your life and contributions to our scene, what do you see as the future for Seth?
I’m really making a push at production right now. I have an abundance of ideas that I need to work on and make something of. Hopefully you will see big things from Seth Nichols in the future with production and DJing firmly planted in my vision.
For more Seth, visit www
