Research in Music, Psychology, and Transformation
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 was important because it provided a framework for understanding how ritual cultures are evolving across culture and context, and how this impacts creators and audiences.
It was featured at various international conferences including London’s Dancecult, and a summary was published in University of Newcastle’s Elephants Leg Book (second edition).
Xook Project
This 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
Pulse is a collaborative project and contemporary dance/music piece that explores transformation though visual metaphor and immersive sound. It integrated traditional archetypal concepts with modern flair to provided a unique approach to music and dance. 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 at St Peters Hall in Surry Hills 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.
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 trip enabled contribution to the global discussion on ritual and electronic music culture.
Dancecult, London.
