Victoria singer-songwriter Vic Horvath has died. Horvath was 26 and would have turned 27 on August 26th. The cause of death was determined to be a seizure due to complications with epilepsy.
Vic was scheduled to embark on a west coast tour with Montreal’s Ghostly Hounds from August 18 to 27, 2018, but word of their passing came out the morning the tour was supposed to begin.
Vic was originally from Calgary, Alberta and moved to Victoria around 2013 where they became a vocalist/guitarist for Victoria band Courtney & The Goldsmokes. The band performed a number of live shows in Victoria in 2015.
Vic also performed solo consistently from 2015 through 2018 at gigs and festivals across the country including Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest, Spirit of 150, Victoria Bicycle Music Festival, Living Roots Music Festival and Victoria Pride.
In September 2017 Horvath released their debut solo EP ‘West Coast Reign’. The first track of the EP ‘Shiny Shotguns’ was about moving to Victoria and the transition from living in the prairies to the west coast.
Horvath planned to record their first full-length album in early 2019. The album would have been produced by veteran musician Rae Spoon and the LGBTQ2S community would have been an influence in their new music.
On Thursday August 23, 2018, Vic’s family, friends and members of the Victoria music community gathered at Victoria record shop Vinyl Envy to remember and celebrate Vic’s life.
The outpouring of love and support was also shown online as news of their passing broke.
Ride The Tempo’s Mark Anthony Brennan posted in an article about Vic remembering them as “warm, open-hearted and funny — a persona reflected in their music.”
salt of the earth. honest, talented, humble. I will listen to your music until the end of time. https://t.co/4HjNK7LPEl #vichorvath
— Alexandria Maillot (@alexandriasing) August 22, 2018
Because apparently now word has gotten out, I can say that my friend who passed was the incomparably brilliant songwriter and performer, Vic Horvath. Do yourself a favour and listen to their music if you haven't before. #VicHorvath https://t.co/gkssm5zWRO
— John Muller (@mrjohnmuller) August 22, 2018
We are deeply saddened to learn that our friend Vic Horvath? passed away on August 18, 2018. A crowd favourite at Femme Wave 2017, our festival was made better by their performance. Our hearts are with Vic's friends and family.https://t.co/5hrhTUpIRL
— Femme Wave (@FemmeWave) August 22, 2018
To honour Vic Horvath’s memory, Matthew Andrade has launched a GoFundMe campaign to have Horvath’s EP ‘West Coast Reign’ pressed to vinyl. The pressing would also include two bonus tracks (‘Tell All Your Friends’ and a previously unreleased track recorded with Rae Spoon). Wildfire Bakery and members of the community will paint a mural outside the bakery in Horvath’s memory.
Vic Horvath is survived by their mother and two brothers.
Below are links to Vic Horvath’s music and various live performances in Victoria during their time here.
Live at CFUV (May 4, 2018)
Chinatown Sessions (November 20, 2017)
Jam Session at Vinyl Envy (July 7, 2017)
Spirit of 150 (June 23, 2017)
Quadratic Concert Series (July 23, 2016)
Courtney & The Goldsmokes (April 4, 2015)
