Everybody is the main character of their own story, driven by personal motives and pursuing ambitions known only to them. Today, we’re reading through the first chapter of Cole Sebastian’s story, which sees him take on the responsibility of bringing the R&B scene to Wellington, in turn making “Wellington the focal point of contemporary R&B.”
Cole, at only 19 years of age, has been all over the show, having spent years in Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia. His music showcases this diverse background, providing New Zealand with an unfamiliar yet pined-for sound. He now finds himself residing in Wellington, attending Massey University where he’s “surrounded by other wide-eyed musicians, far more talented than [himself].” His peers push him to be a greater artist and make better music, he says.
Having released only one single, “2:30am”, Cole is only just beginning his story and yet he’s already making waves in the local music space. “2:30am” delivered a dark R&B aesthetic which he accredits to the city of Toronto and the influence its music scene has had on his artistry. The single, having only been out for a month, has amassed a respectable 4000 streams on Spotify.
Cole plans to grab even more attention in his next chapter, collaborating with fellow Massey student, Kyra Madeline for his next single, “Later Date”. The soulful R&B ballad, which resembles a Daniel Caesar song with an original spin, releases next Friday, August 18th. This song, he claims, is a juxtaposition to his first, illustrating the two sides of his character. His first project will allegedly focus on this concept quite heavily, showcasing a contrast of aesthetics and moods.
The future is bright for the rising star, and brighter still for Wellington’s R&B scene. Cole Sebastian’s story is being written before our eyes, so give him a listen because every page is his best.