Van is adamant to make music that means something, songs that have a strong message with a catchy chorus. His music can be best described as urban roots, with a funky, mainstream pop sensibility, a kind of acoustic storytelling with a groove. He mentions Babyface, George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Prince as strong influences. Currently he enjoys Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Ani De Franco, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band & Jamiroquai among others. Van Sereno likes to be known as a songwriter first and foremost. He's worked as session guitarist and vocalist on numerous projects, both covers and originals (In Full Swing, Evail, Afrofunk, Jacuzi, The Pop Experience, The Smooth Groove). He's supported Australian acts such as Christine Anu, Marcia Hines, Richard Clapton, Vanessa Amarosi, Diesel and even US blues legend John Hammond, UK soul artist Andrew Roachford and US RnB artist John Legend in the past. His solo debut album "I think I know" was launched April 29th 2005 at V Bar Sydney CBD. The album was co-produced by Nathan Johnson (Sleepy Jackson, Citizen Dog, Brett Hunt) and mastered by William Bowden (Gerling, Red Riders, The Cops, Gotye). His second album "persistence" was launched to a capacity crowd at The Vanguard, Newtown 6th March 2007. The album was produced by Van himself with Russell Pilling as sound engineer and William Bowden as mastering engineer. His third album "another way" is a live acoustic album recorded on 2nd June 2007 @ Damien Gerard Studios, with Byron Mark accompanying him on percussion; released at Ruby Rabbit on 27th October 2007. The album was produced by van himself with Russell Pilling as sound engineer and Andrew Beck as mastering engineer. Together is his fourth album released on itunes late 2008, recorded, mixed and mastered at Damien Gerard Studios. With a new line up in the core band (Shane Barret on drums, John Maddox on bass, Byron Mark on Keys) Van teamed up with the cream of Sydney’s indie artists coming up with an eclectic mix of styles - a duets project that clearly expresses his boundless skill as a songwriter. Standout tracks are the smooth and soulful "Move on", the happy go lucky "Lets Get Away" and the very jazzy "Understanding". Yeah I Know is his fifth independent album, two years in the making he begun this project back in the Philippines in mid 2009 on the back of a controversial major label signing that fell through. Not to let his hopes down he independently recorded this project at Springfield Studios in Sydney, mixed it in Boston Massachusetts USA at Fader Vu Studios and mastered it in Portland Oregan USA. His new band consists of Deva Permana on drums, Carlo Tapia on bass, Byron Mark on keyboards and percussion and Van on vocals and guitars. Definitely his best work yet, this latest instalment is a culmination of maturity, growth and wisdom in both song writing craft and his technical musicianship. Hey Wait Stay is his sixth independent album, more of a mature raw rootsy form of pop, going back to basics concentrating on the purity of the storytelling, a jazzy fusion of urban roots and smooth groove. The new CD is a live album that captures the essence of a solo concert performance. With Luke Koteras at the tracking and mixing desk, and Christian Sebastian on mastering duties, the project captures the live show to the tee. There is a bonus club remix by Byron Mark that brings a nice sonic surprise to the album. Available for download on iTunes, please check the gig guide to be on the look out for an Australian tour. Officially launched on October 3 at Burwood RSL, 2014 (alongside good friend Tina Bangel who launched her own EP that Van helped co-write), Hey Wait Stay is not your ordinary acoustic solo singer songwriter album.