Oliver Sean (born Oliver Sean Alvares; 11 October 1979) is a singer-songwriter, based in the United Kingdom.[1][2] His brand of music is known for its Americana influence with acoustic rock, world and contemporary undertones.
Sean has lived most of his life in Dubai, Goa and the UK.[3] His eclectic global music style is the trademark for his brand. It's attributed to his mixed Portuguese and Goan Lineage. Sean's discography with WOA International started in 1999 with his single "There She Is Again"[4] at the age of 19, having recorded it three years earlier.
As a composer, record producer and filmmaker, Sean's productions have been broadcast on international channels including MTV and VH1. Sean has achieved multiple Billboard Top 10 chart placements, UK Top 50 rankings,[5] and a platinum selling album.[6]. Some of the highlights of his recognition has been Nomination for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2012 and hitting the Billboard Top 10 charts across multiple genres, including the Billboard Blues Album Charts and World Singles Charts. Some of his breakout chart successes have been Billboard Top 10 at number 6 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Charts in 2019 with "Doing That (Time. Love. Happiness)" [7] and #8 on the Billboard Top 10 Blues Album Charts with his album Devil is Back in August 2020.[8] The singer songwriter also secured his first UK top 50 on the Official UK Album Download Charts Official Charts Company.[9] In 2020 the artist made it into the Billboard X Bandsintown Top 10 Artist charts [10] and secured another Billboard Blues Album Chart hit with his 2021 lockdown album Garage Sessions, Vol.1,.[11]
Cementing Oliver Sean’s impact on the independent blues music scene was the release of his Independent Blues Project album, featuring the track "Mama Taught Me." The album produced by Sean achieved significant chart success, debuting at #10 on the Billboard Blues Album Charts in December 2024 and topping blues charts in countries including the United States, the UK, and Canada [12]
In August 2025, Oliver Sean was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts and Music by GIU International University. The accolade recognizes his extensive contributions to the global independent music industry, including his work as a singer-songwriter, producer, and founder of W.O.A International. Over the years, Sean has achieved multiple Billboard chart placements, received nominations at the MTV Europe Music Awards, and spearheaded initiatives supporting independent artists, such as the W.O.A Music Festival and compilation series like Independent No.1's and Goa Chillout Zone. Upon receiving the doctorate, Sean remarked, "This doctorate is a symbol of what's possible when you believe in your art and support others in theirs."[13]
In the same year Catholic Open University awarded Oliver Sean an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration. The recognition highlighted his academic contributions as a researcher in music business, sustainable creative entrepreneurship, and the evolving economics of independence in the streaming era. His published work through COU’s study center has influenced emerging frameworks for artist development, intellectual property rights, and ethical practices within the music industry.[14]
In 2012, Sean was nominated for a MTV Europe Music Award, recognizing his impact on the international music scene as an independent artist.[15]
So Good – Achieved platinum status in India [16] in 2011, as confirmed by the releasing label, with over 30,000 units sold through digital and CD sales [17]
Life and career
Early life
Oliver Sean was born in Goa, on 11 October 1979, to a Portuguese mother and American father [18] His multicultural upbringing-spanning Goa, Dubai and the UK-deeply influenced his musical style which blends acoustic rock, blues, Worldbeat, and Americana. Raised in a musically inclined family,[19] Sean began writing songs at age 11 and performed professional by 13 in his uncle's band.[20] Oliver Sean's career was launched in his teens.[21] When he was 17, he formed his own band called Cloud 9.[22]
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Sean pursued formal education in business and economics. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Economics, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) [23]. These academic credentials have supported his entrepreneurial ventures, including the founding and management of W.O.A International.
In August 2025, Sean was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts and Music by GIU International University,[24]recognizing his extensive contributions to the global independent music industry.
Breakthrough years (1999-2004)
Sean's breakthrough is traced back to 1999 when his discography with W.O.A. Entertainment began, featuring the single "There She Is Again". His debut album was I Like It. This album was nominated for 'International Album of the Year' by AVMax in 2003/04.[25] Also, one of the key moments was in the UK, when a studio head secured him a spot on Showcase TV that was aired on Sky/Granada TV.[26]
Musical career (2005-2010)
In 2006, Sean was involved with writing music for the French Government for the tourism campaign of the Massif Region and official song for the Goa Floats at the India Republic Day Parade[27] that won the top honors in 2006. In 2008, Sean came out with his second studio album called Darna Chod Do. The name of this album comes from Goan street slang.[28]
So Good and Bollywood (2011-2012)
Sean's third studio album So Good (2011) hit the Vh1 Top 10[29] for his single "Movies"[30] from the album on 4 June 2011, Featured album spot at the Virgin Megastores in Dubai, a Vh1 Specials feature in India and the MTV Europe Music Awards 2012 nomination in the MTV EMA Best India/Worldwide Act category. Sean released an Americana single titled "All I Remember"[31] in 2012. It was released in the US simultaneously announcing his first major US Tour. The music video for "All I Remember" was a featured video on Vh1 India's music channel and went on to hit the No.1 Spot on the Artist Aloud Charts (India Today Group). Sean made his debut in film music as a music director when he composed the Soundtrack for a popular Bollywood International film Cutting Chai[32] released in 2012.
Christmas and Animal Welfare (2013-2015)
Making a foray into holiday music Sean recorded his version of the Charles Brown hit "Please Come Home for Christmas"[33] in 2013 followed by his Christmas EP Unplugged Christmas releasing shortly thereafter. In February 2015 Oliver Sean released a live and unplugged EP titled Bootleg Recordings Vol.1[34] dedicated towards animal welfare and followed that up with the Stripped Down Summer Tour[35] across New York, Costa Rica and England.
Focus on world and film music (2016-2018)
Going deeper into world and film music in 2017, Sean composed the title track to a Goan (Konkani) feature film titled Devachem Planning. The singer's 4th studio album Devil in Blue Jeans was released on 31 August 2017.[36]
The album was on the iTunes bestselling preorders list in the UK[37] and two music videos/singles, New York and First Move, from the album are currently on rotation on Vh1 India/International, 9XO and RTP International. The third single from the album, "Walk Up and Kiss You", was selected by NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) for the 61st Grammy Awards Nomination Ballots in Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance categories.[38] The single went on to hit No. 1 on the iTunes top 100 singles chart and iTunes Rock Chart[citation needed] and the Devil in Blue Jeans album hit No. 2 on the iTunes Rock Album Chart and No. 14 on the iTunes Top 100 album chart.[39]
At the Fall 2018 International Independent Film Awards Sean's single ‘New York’ from the ‘Devil in Blue Jeans album’ won Gold in the Best Music Video and Best Original Song categories.[40]
Doing That and The Real Indie Project (2019 - 2020 )
Keeping with his world beat roots the singer songwriter released his single Doing That (Time, Love, Happiness) on 1 February 2019. The song hit No. 1 on iTunes in the US, Canada and Turkey and a No. 2 on iTunes UK. The single then went on to hit the official Billboard Charts, coming in at No. 6 on the world digital song sales charts, for the Week of 1 June 2019, with the Doing That (Time. Love. Happiness) single.[2]
The artist was nominated for the 2020 Golden Fox Film Award, Best Music Video Category, as Director, for "Doing That (Time. Love. Happiness)".[41]
Sean won Best Music Video and Original Song for 'Doing That (Time. Love. Happiness) at the 2021 Swedish International Film Festival [42]
Sean joined forces with several high-profile indie musicians in 2019 to form a new musical project titled 'The Real Indie Project'. The singer songwriter and the musicians from his Real Indie Project released a new version of the Legendary William Bell single "Everyday will be like a holiday" as their first official single, in time to celebrate the holidays.[43]
Sean's album Devil is Back feat RIP (Real Indie Project) was released on 14 Aug and hit No.1 on the iTunes Blues Album charts.[44] The album went on to hit the Official UK Album Download Chart Official Charts Company for the week of 21–27 August 2020 breaking into the top 50's at No. 52.[45] The album broke into the Billboard Blues Album Chart at #8 for the week of 29 August 2020.[46]
The Garage Sessions (2020 - 2022 )
In the midst of the pandemic Sean started streaming his live performances from his home and studio, for fans around the world to watch and connect with the artist one on one. This was called Garage Sessions, which garnered interest from fans and media around the world.[47] The success of the livestreaming led to Sean recording an album that captured the feel of his weekly Garage Sessions livestream performance. The Garage Sessions, Vol.1 Album was released on 23 July. The album hit the Billboard Blues Album charts at #14 on 3 August 2021.[48]
Sean got his first Christmas Number 1 in the UK on the Blues Charts in 2021, with his version of Everyday Will be like a Holiday.[citation needed]
Blues Dance (Worldbeat), which was released during the same time as the Garage Sessions Vol. 1 album went on to hit #1 in the US and the UK simultaneously on the iTunes Easy Listening charts, at the start on 2022.[49]
Mama Taught Me and The Independent Blues Project (2023 - Present Day)
“Mama Taught Me" is a song by Oliver Sean, featured on his Independent Blues Project album. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard Blues Album Charts in December 2024 and achieved top rankings on blues charts in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Thailand, Canada, and Turkey.[12] The release marked a significant milestone in Sean's career, highlighting his impact on the independent blues music scene.
Other ventures
Sean has produced both his own and various international artists' music and music videos. He also hosts his own weekly radio show and podcast WOAFM99.[50]
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