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 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).

Read PhD thesis
Close-up of a line of snare drums with wooden shells and drumsticks resting on top, set against a rustic brick wall.

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.

Watch artist interviews
A man sitting in a music studio filled with various keyboards, synthesizers, and music equipment, with a colorful screen displaying a neon design and the text 'Music & More' behind him.
A man playing guitar and singing into a microphone on stage, with drums behind him, in a dimly lit bar or music venue.
Man sitting on a red leather couch with a thoughtful expression, wearing a sleeveless black shirt, with a colorful framed painting hanging on the white wall behind him.
A woman with purple hair, sitting on a maroon sofa, wearing a black floral dress and pink skirt, gesturing with her hands, in a music studio or room with guitars on the wall and musical equipment in the background.

PULSE

Pulse is a contemporary dance/music piece 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 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.

Create NSW logo with a stylized lotus flower and text for Arts, Screen & Culture.
Logo for D2C 23 Dancecult Conference 2023 with headphones and audio wave graphic, text indicating 19-20 October at University of Huddersfield, UK, and a black box with gold text of University of Huddersfield, UK, and the tagline 'Inspiring global professionals'.

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.

Dancecult, London.