Research in Music, Psychology, and Transformation
This page brings together my research, writing, and practice-based projects exploring music, ritual, symbolism, and psychological transformation.
It includes doctoral research, published academic writing, creative research collaborations, talks, and presentations, and ongoing-work that examines how initiation and meaning are structured across traditional and contemporary cultural forms.
From Ritual Music to Electronica:
The Transformation of Traditional Santeria into Electronic Neo-Santeria
By Dr. Vincent Sebastian Labra
PhD Thesis
This PhD research explored Afro-Cuban music rituals and their evolution into emerging electronic music sub-genres. It resulted in a thesis and a series of creative works.
The work provided a framework for understanding how ritual cultures evolve across time and culture, and offers a way to understand how this impacts creators and audiences.
It was featured at various international conferences including London’s Dancecult, and featured in University of Newcastle’s Elephants Leg Book (Second edition).
Elephant's Leg II: Creativity in Action
I wrote a chapter in ‘Elephants Leg II’ for the University of Newcastle. It outlines my Phd research into the evolution of ritual music and symbols in electronic music, providing a summary into its approach, fieldwork, and outcomes.
Xook Project
This unique research project for City of Sydney featured in-depth interviews with leading artists in various disciplines, discussing the meaning of art, and its relation to culture, spirituality, and tradition. It helps us understand the challenges, ideas, and perspectives of artists in Australia and abroad, and serves as critical insight into the artistic way of life.
PULSE
A creative-led research and performance piece, Pulse is a contemporary dance/music work that explores transformation though visual metaphor and immersive sound. It was featured at 2024 Adelaide Fringe Festival as part of Lee Major’s Rich Mix.
Choreographer/Performer: Daniela Zambrano. Composer/Performer: Vincent Sebastian
Spiritual Transformation: The Hidden Catalyst For Artistic Innovation
This talk, given in Sydney, shares the spiritual and artistic journey of my PhD work over 7 years. It highlights how music helps us navigate our deepest challenges, and can turn these struggles into creative triumphs and innovation.
Dancecult, London.
My PhD work was presented at London’s Dancecult 2023, an international journal and conference for the study of Electronic Dance Music culture. Sponsored by Create NSW, this presentation contributed to the global discussion on ritual and electronic music culture.
Se7en: A Jungian Myth of Psychological Initiation
A depth-psychological analysis of Se7en as a modern initiation narrative, examining how transformation unfolds when traditional moral frameworks fail.
Research-informed video essays exploring symbolic structure, initiation, and transformation across music, film, art, and contemporary culture.
Video Essays
