MUSICOLOGY
Vincent’s musicological research explores the fields of arts practice, music psychology, and cultural musicology. Music psychology is investigation of musical behaviour and experience, including the processes through which music is perceived, created, responded to, and incorporated into everyday life. Cultural musicology explores the sonic, social, and ritual dimensions of music, reaching beyond the institutionalised distinctions between musics of the world to explore music as a form of communication between self and the cosmos.
PHD RESEARCH
Vincent’s PhD explored the music and practices of afro-Cuban religious rituals and culture leading to altered states and psychological healing. It used research, fieldwork ethnography, and creative practice to explore the development of traditional practices in cross-cultural contexts, including the development of ritual music forms in new sub-genres of electronic music that use alternative instrumentations and performance technologies. The study was original for detailing an emerging development in the cross-cultural transformation of afro-Cuban music culture.
Vincent’s research concluded that an afro-Cuban performance ethos was at the heart of many of these musical transformations, consisting of intricate knowledge of performance practices, symbols, and techniques that aim for altered states and healing. The study helps us understand how music traditions evolve, for better or worse, and provides a way for understanding these transformations from a musical, symbolic, and psychological level.
Vincent’s mission is to change the way we think about music, from a commodity and form of entertainment, to a technology for healing, spiritual growth, and human evolution.
Talks and Presentations
Vincent Sebastian offers talks and presentations that offer his expertise developed through his PHD research and 25 music career. His mission is to change the way we think about music, from a commodity and form of entertainment, to a technology for healing, spiritual growth, and human evolution. This view he backs up with the latest scientific discoveries, personal anecdotes and research insights, and knowledge from wisdom traditions.
His presentations cover topics featured in his blog which include music psychology, cultural musicology, creativity, spirituality, ritual, music business, mental health, and culture.
Previous talks include The Business of Music, Music as Universal Language, The Rhythm of Leadership, and The Healing Power of Music.
Previous talks and research projects
DANCECULT LONDON.
Vincent presented his Ph.D research at Dancecult 2023, an international journal and conference for the study of Electronic Dance Music culture. This enabled him to contribute to the global discussion on ritual and electronic music culture.
SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION: The Hidden Catalyst For Musical Innovation
Profound personal transformations can fuel creativity. Vincent shares his journey of spiritual and artistic evolution during his Ph.D. fieldwork into music rituals, discussing how art reflects and aids in navigating our deepest changes, turning challenges into creative triumphs.
XOOK ARTS PLATFORM
Vincent provided in-depth interviews with leading artists in various disciplines, discussing the meaning of art, and its relation to culture, spirituality, and tradition in their lives and practices.
Sponsored by the City of Sydney, the Xook project showcased the diverse perspectives of ten artists. It explored the attitudes, challenges, and cultural perspectives of working in the arts industry, enabling each artist to contribute to the wider discussion about the value of the arts.
These interviews were included as an online web platform and live event, designed to bring awareness to artists perspectives, while enhancing collaboration, creative expression, and cultural participation among participants.
PULSE
Pulse is a collaborative contemporary dance and music piece that symbolically depicts spiritual transformation using visual metaphors, character archetypes, and music. It was featured at 2024 Adelaide Fringe Festival as part of Lee Major’s Rich Mix.
Choreographer & Performer: Daniela Zambrano.
Composer & Performer: Vincent Sebastian