With around two decades of experience, Savio Sebastian has carved out a distinctive space for himself in Pune’s Music scene—not just as a gifted guitarist, but also as a mentor, collaborator, and passionate advocate for creative expression. From performing at esteemed festivals to founding The BeatleNotes School of Music, his journey has been both inspiring and impactful. In this exclusive conversation with Sanjay Jadhav, Editor, Puneinsight, Savio reflects on his early influences, Musical evolution, and the deeper purpose behind his art and teaching.
You’ve been playing the guitar for over two decades. Take us back to where it all began—how did your journey with the six strings start?
How it all began… Well, fortunately, I am truly blessed to be born into a family with a strong inclination towards good Music. Right from my early childhood, family get-togethers always had guitars and singing. One of my earliest inspirations was my cousin, Sanjay Joseph, a renowned musician in the country. His approach to Music, dedication, and intensity toward both Music and life itself was most inspiring. Being a part of school and church choirs was also very formative. Also, Fr. Anthony Paul, a friend of my dad, was also always around at family parties with his guitar, it was so fascinating as child. Once, when my dad handed me a guitar around the age of 10 along with a chord sheet and the first time, I held a chord and got it perfectly right, that’s where the journey began.
How has your style or approach to playing the guitar evolved over the years?
Starting from school days, playing for various functions, the church choir, and jamming with other musicians, it has been quite a journey. Initially, I mostly played gospel Music with choir groups and soft rock. But around the age of 15–16, everything changed. I met a couple of super encouraging friends in college, Naval Fernandes and Kevin Tellis. We spent hours listening to great Music, practicing, and jamming together, that phase was truly transformative. I transitioned from soft rock to blues, progressive, and alt-rock. Eventually, I formed a band called Silver with Rishi Rai, Amit Godse, and Mahesh Niroula. We experimented with different genres and started composing original Music, opening up an entirely new creative space.
Looking back, what have been some of the most memorable milestones in your journey as a guitarist?
Some of the most memorable moments go back to Silver’s breakthrough, winning Yamaha Roxx in 2007 and travelling to Taiwan to perform at the international finale with nine other countries. That was quite an experience! Soon after, we won the prestigious I-Rock competition, going head-to-head with hundreds of bands from across the country. Performing at the incredible Hornbill Festival in Nagaland was unforgettable too. I still remember the crowd of around 20,000 people jumping in unison as we covered AC/DC’s Back in Black, an electric moment!
You currently play with a few bands—could you tell us more about them and the kind of music you perform?
Yes, I currently freelance with a few bands, A Million Dollars, Mike and the Band, The Local Collective, Raagatrain and Silver. With the first three bands, we mostly perform retro rock covers from the ’80s and ’90s, fun sets with a mix of seasoned musicians from the city. Raagatrain is a Bollywood and corporate outfit where we reimagine Bollywood songs with a fun musical twist. Silver has and will always be all about original Music.
How different is it playing solo versus performing as part of a band?
Playing solo is a great way to musically express yourself in your own unfiltered and unaltered way. In a solo setup, you become almost every member of the band, you conceptualize the entire musical soundscape in your unique style. In contrast, playing in a band is a completely different dynamic. It’s about different personalities and creative minds coming together to contribute to a common goal. A band is a blend of musicians, each expressing their creativity, using songs as a playground for musical expression and collaboration.
Do you prefer live performances or studio sessions? What kind of energy do you feed off the most?
The way I think of it, the studio is a great space to put down your ideas, finesse your creation, layer, and build on musical soundscapes, to refine musical structures, experiment, let the song unfold, until the full picture starts to shine through. But live performances, that’s where a lot of the magic happens. You’re on stage, in front of an audience, telling your story in the most honest way you can. The exchange of energy is electrifying. Whether in the studio or live, it’s not just about recording or performing a song, it’s about creating an experience, sharing your perspective on life, and moving your audience in some way. That’s the beauty of being a musician.
What inspired you to start your own Music school?
It’s always been a dream to be part of a vibrant, creative, and free artistic society, a space where people can get together, be themselves, and express their perception of life in their own unique way. The goal is to unite people through Music, help them discover their inner light and joy. That vision led to the creation of The BeatleNotes School of Music in association with The Academy School. I’m grateful to the amazing management of The Academy School, who have been incredibly supportive always. It’s been a rewarding and progressive journey working with them.
Can you share more about your teaching philosophy and what students, young and old—can expect from learning at your school?
Our teaching philosophy is simple: everyone has an artistic channel of expression, all haven’t tapped into it yet. Music has the power to enhance self-expression and sharpen perception, adding undeniable value to life. We help students discover that channel and shape it to the best of their ability. There are countless studies showing the benefits of Music, it positively affects the mind and body. While the initial learning phase can be tedious, once students grasp the basics and start figuring things out on their own, their motivation grows. Music is a universal language, one that communicates without words, touches the soul, and truly makes life better. Everyone deserves a chance to learn it.
How do you keep students motivated and engaged, especially the younger ones?
It’s definitely challenging these days with so many distractions, especially social media. But Music has the power to draw people in once they start exploring it. With younger students, it’s all about making the experience joyful, relatable, and full of energy. I keep things simple to start with, something they can instantly connect to and then build from there. Familiar songs, trending tunes, fun challenges, and clear timelines help give them direction without pressure. I also believe in celebrating every small win. A high five, a shoutout, or even just an acknowledging smile goes a long way. But what really makes the difference is creating a sense of community, encouraging them to share what they’ve discovered, jam together with seniors, and feel like they’re part of something bigger. When they feel seen, heard, and excited to show up, motivation takes care of itself.
Do you offer courses for all skill levels—beginners to advanced?
Yes, at The BeatleNotes School of Music, we offer courses for all age groups. We are thrilled to accompany everyone who are ready to embark on their own musical journey. That’s one of our taglines too: “Take on a musical journey of your own!”
In today’s digital age, with tutorials easily available online, why do you feel personalized training is still important?
You’re right, there’s a huge amount of content online now. Back in our day, we used to get video tutorials on CDs from just this one place in Delhi’s Palika Bazaar, and we would work on a single video lesson for months. That scarcity made us dig deep into each lesson. Today, with an abundance of material, students often engage with it only on a surface level. That’s where personalized training becomes most effective. Being physically present with a mentor offers emotional and mental connection that online content simply can’t replicate. Every student is unique, and we tailor sessions to suit their grasping ability and learning style. A mentor not only teaches techniques but also connects personally with every student and helps them find their own sound. That’s the real difference.
Who are some of the musicians or guitarists—local or global—that inspire you?
There are so many! But one musician I must mention is Victor Wooten—not just for his virtuosity, but for his philosophy of Music and life. The way he draws parallels between life and Music, and his holistic approach to both, is incredibly inspiring.
Lastly, what advice would you give to someone who is picking up the guitar for the first time?
To someone just picking up a guitar, or starting their musical journey — I’d simply say:
“You are not just picking up a guitar; you’re picking up a key. A key to yourself that could possibly unlock a whole new creative world within. Just begin. Stay with it. Practice. Keep going, the journey is amazing.”
It might sound like a cliché, but it’s true, it really is about the journey, not the destination. And when it comes to Music, that journey is filled with magical moments, not always loud or obvious, but quietly waiting for those who are willing to look a little deeper. The greatest gift of learning Music isn’t how well you play, but what the Music begins to do for you, how it shifts something inside, makes you feel more, experience more, live more. Music has this quiet, powerful way of making things beautiful.
