Fil-American 6th grader due to release progressive rock album

Fil-American 6^th grader due to release progressive rock album

By Rick Olivares

Philadelphia, USA -- Talk about getting them started early.

Twelve-year old Sebastien Braganza, a sixth grade Filipino-American who has gained online fame for his guitar shredding exploits on YouTube (performing in a commercial for 2018 Super Bowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles) and live performances including famed Los Angeles club, Whisky A Go-Go) will be putting out his first ever solo album by the middle of 2020.

Seb, as the young lad is nicknamed, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a sixth grader at CCA Baldi Middle School. However, unlike most kids his age who would be into gaming, gadgets, and sports, Seb – who is also into sports as he is a massive basketball fan – wants to be a musician. A rock and roll guitarist to be specific.

He performs with his Black Sabbath tribute band called, Sebbath, and his own band where they perform original compositions.

And he is one at an early age and will be putting out his first ever album later this year. “My upcoming album is all about my skills and my passion towards my work,” described Seb. “It will be an instrumental album representing a lot of genres mostly progressive sound and melodic sound. To top it off, there will be a lot of guitar shredding. Yes, and it would be called ‘Nebulizer.’” 

While many young kids his age get into rock or even hiphop, Seb was introduced to metal music by – gasp – his parents, Artie and Raquel.

“I think it is cool,” Seb said of his parents’ musical tastes and their supporting their son in his passion and ambition. “I discovered the music of Metallica and Pantera through my dad while I discovered progressive rock through by listening to Rush and Dream Theater.”

“My dad loves heavy metal because he too is in a metal band called Uprise Shadow. My mom? She loves it too.”

Seb has also performed at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) in Anaheim, California) where he met many of his guitar idols including Kirk Hammett, Slash, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, and others. He has also performed with Filipino metal band Slapshock during one of their American tours.

While Seb is a rocker, he does appreciate other music as well. “I listen to a lot of genres including hiphop and R&B,” he clarified showing uncharacteristic maturity for someone his age. “I don’t think you can be closed minded to other music.”

The same too goes for metal music. “Some people are of the mind that the music is demonic, but it isn’t necessarily so. And so everyone knows, my family I devoutly Catholic and we go to Mass every Sunday.”

The young Braganza says that he diligently follows the exploits of Gilas, the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team with former player, Jimmy Alapag as one of his favorite players.

Seb’s current guitar teach is Brazilian Luis Kalil who has performed with Steve Vail, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Stone Sour, and famed drummer Marco Minneman among many others. Braganza’s also once trained under famed New York guitarist Rob Balducci. 

“I’m really excited about everything that is happening right now,” summed up Seb who is signed to Steve Vai’s record label, Favored Nations Entertainment, where he will release his debut album, Nebulizer. “To be given these opportunities this early is something I am so thankful for. Hopefully, we can do some shows in the Philippines soon.”