Biography

Vincent Sebastian is a percussionist, DJ, music producer, and PhD ethnomusicologist. Grounded in his Latin heritage and global collaborations, Vincent brings together rhythm, psychology, and technology to create powerful experiences - on stage, in the studio, and in thought leadership around music’s role in culture and transformation. He has performed worldwide, released music on respected labels, including Defected and Atjazz, and leads the acclaimed electronic–Latin group Oyobi. His career highlights include an ARIA nomination, collaborations with leading artists across genres, and performances at major festivals on multiple continents.

Alongside his creative work, Vincent’s research explores how music, ritual, and technology shape human transformation. He holds a PhD in Music and degrees in Psychology and Sound Design, presenting his findings at international conferences and in publications. His Sound-Soul Initiative explores music’s deeper function through cutting-edge research in sound, psychology and ritual. It invites audiences to see music as both creative innovation and spiritual practice.

Extended Biography

Vincent Sebastian is a percussionist, DJ, music producer, and PhD ethnomusicologist. His music has been released on leading global labels including Defected, Atjazz Records, and Ocha, and he is the founder of the acclaimed group Oyobi. Career highlights include an ARIA nomination, supporting Santana, Earth, Wind & Fire, Seun Kuti, and Manu Chao, contributing to over 20 album recordings, and performing at major festivals across multiple continents.

Vincent’s academic work has been featured in books and international conferences, examining how traditional music practices and technologies evolve in contemporary culture. He holds a PhD in Music alongside degrees in Psychology, Music, and Sound Design, with a focus on Latin rhythm, music production, and the transformative power of music. His expertise flows into his performances, productions, writings, and talks.

He founded the Sound-Soul Initiative, which investigates music’s role in health, connectivity, and transformation. Grounded in science, ritual studies, and psychology, the initiative invites us to rethink music’s place in personal and cultural renewal.

On stage, Vincent’s live performances- whether on percussion, DJ decks, or leading Oyobi- combine rhythmic mastery, refined musical taste, and innovative technologies. His work is deeply informed by the music traditions of his Latin heritage, giving his music both contemporary edge and ancestral depth. When not performing, he is researching and writing about the psychology of music and its impact on human experience.

His studio serves as a creative hub where he develops original works and collaborates with artists pushing musical boundaries. Releases have appeared on respected labels such as Defected, Imagenes, Prison Records, Vamos, United Music, Shika Shika, Groovescooter, Ocha, and Atjazz. Collaborations span Pepe Citarrela, Atjazz, Hallex M, Jorge Montiel, Myles Bigalow, Qvln, Oveous, Selomi, Barrio Lindo, Milan, Amaru Tribe, Cosmos Midnight, and choreographer Daniella Zambrano.

Through Oyobi, Vincent fuses Latin rhythms with electronica, forging a sound that transcends genre. Oyobi has topped Traxsource charts multiple times, appeared in “Best of the Year” lists, and featured on Late Night Tales, Bandcamp Weekly, and radio worldwide. Their music has been praised as “nothing short of sublime” (ToneDeaf Magazine) and “stunning” (Laurent Garnier).

Vincent’s past accolades include an ARIA Award nomination with Watussi and appearances at major festivals including Bluesfest, WOMADelaide, Woodford, Adelaide Fringe, Vivid, Sydney Opera House, Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia), Bogotá Festival de Teatro (Colombia), Ulsan Festival (Korea), Osaka Kokolo Festival (Japan), NOMA (Thailand), and Ku De Ta (Indonesia).

He has supported a diverse list of artists including Santana, Seun Kuti, Ricky Martin, Los Amigos Invisibles, Los Van Van, Katy Perry, Earth, Wind & Fire, Manu Chao, Juan Luis Guerra, and electronic luminaries such as Sandy Rivera, Richard Earnshaw, Rob Vission, and Touch Sensitive.

In 2022, Vincent was the in-house percussionist for the American television show Name That Tune with Randy Jackson and Jane Krakowski, filmed in Australia. He is proudly endorsed by Toca Percussion, Wincent Sticks, and Protection Racket.

In 2023, he was sponsored by Create NSW to present his PhD research at the Dancecult Conference in London and the Australasian Computer Music Conference in Sydney, contributing to the global conversation on electronic music culture and ritual.

Today, Vincent continues to dedicate himself to creating, performing, researching, and sharing insights through his music, writings, and talks.