It seems to be pretty en vogue to make artist names out of first names, at least in the musical & social strata of this festival. Ilgen-Nur has done it, as have Gil, JFDR, and, in this case, our protagonist: Seb. Sebastian Warne is a songwriter with an as-yet modest history of public appearances. A producer and performer of introspective-yet-frenetic pop creations, he lives and works in Berlin and comes from New Zealand. His output is still relatively limited: it consists of no more than four singles released into the expanses of the internet. These pop songs, which are built out of drum machines, synthesizers, and a baritone voice, are frenetic (yes, we’re using that word twice) and loaded with longing and desire. They channel Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, and – sure, why not? – Right Said Fred. It’s feeling-loaded pop between Loophole and Eurovision – yup, he’s got our attention. 

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