I’m a sort of foodie, says musician Oliver Sean

Do you give credit to your Portuguese, Italian and Goan roots for your successful musical career?
Most importantly I give credit to my fans and my mother. My music is mainstream contemporary, pop, rock and any subtle world elements are implemented only because it helps a song to sound more interesting to the listener and not a conscious decision I make even if the world element seems to be influenced by my heritage

The Goa Song was honoured by being chosen by the Goan government as the official song for their Float at the Republic Day Parade of India in 2006. How did you feel about it?
It was a great feeling and was even better when the parade won top honours at the republic day parade in New Delhi! The song is mainly a mix of old folk songs from Goa…very traditional songs that people love dancing to at every party there. Making that song for the republic day parade was a lot of fun.

If you were to describe your style of music…
Adult contemporary pop rock fused with slamming acoustic guitars and a sprinkling of world elements.

You have given us great musical fodder to munch on, but what is the kind of music that you grew up listening to?
I was introduced to great music at a very young age — I was listening to the Classics, Police, Frank Sinatra, really good Jazz and this is because my mom had the most impressive record collection (the old vinyl records), I later got introduced to ACDC when I was 10. I bought my first ‘cassette’ with my allowance — that changed the way I looked at the guitar and then I was hooked to Status Quo, U2 and Bruce Springsteen when I was in high school. Towards my college days I was immersed into Police and Eric Clapton and then I realised that I also loved country and the way the country songs have such a beautiful way of creating a complete movie in 3 minutes - a complete story written in one song.

What is it, besides your performances, that you are most looking forward to in your India visit?
Connecting with my fans is the main thing I’m looking forward to because when I am in India I spend all my time in Goa where I have a home and do a lot of my writing at. Also I’m looking forward to eating the traditional food in each city. I’m a sort of foodie.

How did music happen to you?
It happened when I was four and heard Opera on radio and refused to get out of the bed covers because I was so scared! I have always known I’d be doing music all my life —there was never any doubt about that. I was playing the guitar at 8, writing songs at 10 and had my first pro band when I was 13.

How addicted are you to Indian music?Any indian artist you are a fan of?
I listen to Shakti and some of the world and fusion music that comes from here. Ravi Shankar and Zakhir Hussein are right up there as my influences. There are great musicians in India and I have great respect for the ‘real’ artists in this country. I love to collaborate when making music and collaboration with good Indian musicians is something I am looking forward to.