So begins Sean's first interview dealing with a record project of his own making. David Fricke talked to Sean for the February 5, 1998 issue of Rolling Stone about his upcoming album "Photosynthesis" which is being produced by his girlfriend, Cibo Matto keyboardist, Yuka Honda, his collaboration with his mother, Yoko Ono, and his musical influences.

Sean told Fricke, "I really didn't want to be a musician at first. But I can't avoid music. And, really, I don't care that much what people think. I am my own person. I have my own voice. And this record is just the beginning."

"Photosynthesis," due out this spring ('98) on the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal label, is a mix of "relaxed electro-R&B, bossa-nova serenades, power-chord outbursts and jazz." Sean: "There are some definite, specific Beatles references. But everybody does that. And it was definitely the music that I first heard. In my dad's jukebox, there was Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and the Beatles."

The album features songs about his relationship with Yuka Honda. Sean says, "We had moved in together about six months before - we've been together about a year and a half - and that's what was on my mind."

On the album, Sean plays drums, bass and keyboards as well as guitar.

In the future? "I want to do total avant-garde, weird dance music." His Grand Royal contract includes clauses allowing him to perform with Cibo Matto and to play with his Mom. Asked about what his Mom thinks of his solo LP, Sean replied: "She loves it - I think. She's a real perfectionist, though. She's like,'Turn the vocals up.' " Sean is determined to forge an identity of his own. Sean: "To escape from under the umbrella of your parents' influence is important - for me, for anybody."

Visit: Rolling Stone's website.
Visit: Grand Royal's website (Updated with Sound Bites)