Sebastian Lugo

‘Olivia Dean once said, "There's nothing brave in walking alone," and I couldn't agree more.’

Sebastian Lugo (Juan Sebastian Gonzalez Lugo)

Occupation: Musician, psychologist, teacher 

State of residency: Victoria

Favourite place in Australia: Grampians National Park

Upon Arrival: I remember thinking that it was beautiful to see how respectful and open Australians were (and  still are) with street performers, they just sit and listen, support and admire their work, or even just the effort. I think it's the reason why I’ve stayed in Melbourne for so long.

Story edited by Lucy Coulson and digital edition by Johany Ortiz

Songwriter, artist, producer, psychologist, early childhood teacher and futsal enthusiast, Sebastian is best known for his performances on the streets of Melbourne, proudly displaying his Colombian flag and singing predominantly in Spanish.
He is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at Collarts, a long-held dream, where he also runs an extra-curricular songwriting club for students, a space for sharing ideas, making music and performing together. He works as an independent artist playing private events such as weddings and parties, as well as public performances across festivals, band rooms, pubs, restaurants and the streets of Melbourne, showcasing both his original work and popular Latin music.

Sebastian performing live with Tumbao Social.

His current projects include his own four-piece band, which has debuted at The Evelyn Hotel and The Johnston Street Fiesta this year, and Tumbao Social, an 11-piece salsa band in which he serves as lead singer and which holds a monthly residency at The Night Cat's Domingo Latino. As an artist, co-producer and co-writer, he also works with Latin Australian independent label 15 Minute Records. Alongside his music, Sebastian works casually as an early childhood teacher for Glen Education, with a focus on STEAM education, having completed a postgraduate degree in Early Childhood Teaching at Swinburne University. He also organises the weekly Wednesday futsal nights for Dynamo Melbourne FC, a football club he has been a member of since 2018.
At the heart of Sebastian's work is a belief in the power of live music, and busking in particular, as a means of promoting positive mental health and encouraging presence in the moment. Through each of his projects, he seeks to represent his Colombian heritage and support the integration of his cultural traditions into the broader community, breaking stereotypes and building social bridges along the way.

Sebastian was recently awarded the commemorative coin marking the 50th anniversary of Australia–Colombia diplomatic relations, presented by Colombian Ambassador Diego Cadena in recognition of his leadership and commitment to shared progress. 

TELL US YOUR STORY

I came to Melbourne in 2015 to study English. During the first year I met psychologists who got me interested in their careers, so I decided to study it at ACU. I saw it as an exercise to understand myself and grow — I knew I wanted to do music but my family thought that wasn't the right choice for me, so in many ways it gave me more awareness about my passion for music and some tools that made me proud of who I am today. Simultaneously, I started busking in the streets after realising I wasn't happy with the multiple jobs I had when I got here.

Sebastian sharing his passion in the streets of Melbourne.

Busking came into my life at a moment where I needed to express my emotions and to understand my situation as a student immigrant. I was working as a masseur, a perfume seller, a casual factory worker in several factories like Vegemite, Cadbury and Ivan's Pies, and as a cleaner, filling in for some friends. While juggling all those jobs and my studies, I went through a break-up. I was numb and only came to that realisation at a house party where I ended up crying while singing Creep by Radiohead in front of all the attendees. That was a cathartic moment because I wasn't ashamed to recognise I felt frustrated by the lack of control over my decisions and isolated in the rush of all these demands. I started singing almost every day from then until I finally had the idea to sing in the streets. I remember somebody threw me a $10 note and from that moment I decided I was going to be an artist, so I quit all my jobs. With time, I improved my craft and started making connections with other musicians by opening the band shows at Station 59, a Peruvian bar and restaurant in Richmond. It was there that I met my close friends Joseph Bonilla (director of Tumbao Social, the salsa band where I sing) and Carlos Meza (CMeza, artist/drummer), who happen to be some of the most talented artists I've worked with.

After graduating I realised psychology would take a long time to master, and I wanted to apply my knowledge, so I took a postgraduate degree in Early Childhood Teaching at Swinburne to get a job and balance my career and my passion. This proved to be the best decision because I learn a lot about creativity from children, enjoy working with them and get to work on my art when I'm not teaching. This decision gave me the freedom to finally begin studying a Bachelor of Music at Collarts (Australian College of the Arts), with an emphasis on songwriting. I'm currently creating a community of creatives who collaborate through live performances, studio sessions and workshops where we share ideas. I'm also producing music for emerging artists and for my own projects. So, as you can probably tell, every day of the week looks a bit different — but my purpose is always the same: to connect with others through learning, arts and positive impact.

CHALLENGES

Starting my own music business – When I started this project, I didn't even know how to make a living out of it… I just knew that I wanted to. A lot of the time I was finding out the answers by making mistakes. It also took me a long time until I finally met other independent musicians and was brave enough to ask for guidance around rates, equipment and craft.

Self-doubt and impostor syndrome – There have always been moments where things haven't gone right, either creatively or financially, and I've questioned whether I chose the right thing or if I'm good enough to be an artist. By reflecting, I've realised that living creatively is not a competition. It's not about the end but about the process, and it isn't different to other entrepreneurships where there are ebbs and flows. Those thoughts keep me grounded.

Sport injuries – It's incredible how important sports are for my mental health; I just feel so much more relaxed and connected with my purpose when I get to train or play. But getting an injury can also be very hard, especially for those of us living overseas, as it's just harder to deal with without family to count on. I had an ankle injury playing soccer just after COVID restrictions eased, which meant I had to stay home even longer and couldn't work — it was very frustrating. Reading and making music got me through that period.

CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES

Sebastian spending time with friends.

A shared multicultural spirit – In both cities you can find people from all sorts of backgrounds with a drive to find better opportunities, and they tend to converge through sports. In Bogotá we have Ciclovía every Sunday morning, where the city closes its roads to cars so residents can get outside and exercise. In Melbourne you have sports events throughout the year including the Australian Open, F1, marathons and amazing bike paths too!

Road rules – When I got here I couldn't believe that as a pedestrian I was given way by cars at every corner, that people would tell you off for crossing on a red light, and that when driving, more often than not, you would be let in when changing lanes. These things just don't happen in my city — or at least they didn't ten years ago when I left. Kudos, Australia.

December is not the same here – I have gone to see the fireworks in Sydney, done house parties with all my mates and gone to several events. But nothing compares to December in Colombia. There, everyone is in a festive and familial vibe that is unmatched (radio stations start announcing it from September, haha). A lot of us really struggle during this time as our family members start to gather overseas.

PIECE OF ADVICE

Sebastian taking time for himself.

Come and visit already – Australia is a magical place that has a lot to offer, from opportunities to meet people from all the countries in the world to jaw-dropping natural wonders.. No matter what you come here to do, I assure you that experiencing this level of multiculturalism will open your mind to heaps of possibilities.

Remember your purpose – Looking back and reminding myself of my family's efforts, all the hard work through the nights, the assignments, the different jobs, the difficulties — everything that I have put into this path keeps me motivated to follow my dreams. Finding meaning in the daily efforts and remaining grounded in that way of living is what has helped me this far.

Reach out to others – Olivia Dean once said, "There's nothing brave in walking alone," and I couldn't agree more. We are all part of something bigger, whatever that means for you. Reaching out to others because you don't know what to do, or because you simply can't do it alone, will always end up positive. So start building or finding that community you can rely on. Acceptance and vulnerability can change everyone's lives.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS

Sebastian sees himself living much as he does today, but with everything scaled a little further — playing with his bandmates in bigger and more far-flung venues, producing for the same people but on larger projects, creating events with evolved concepts and growing audiences, and playing futsal with a touch more skill. Above all, he sees himself continuing to learn from everyone around him and growing wiser for it. One specific ambition stands out, though: his first full-length album. He’s on his way. 

Do you want to follow Sebastian’s journey? Connect with him on Instagram, Spotify, Patreon 

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With love and gratitude - The Latin Stories Australia team