Robbi Sélin - born Dominic Niles - started his musical journey
at the age of 3, after his father taught him how to play the
National Anthem on a tenor steel pan. Since then he has went
on to learn numerous instruments: piano, saxophone and guitar.
“I started playing the guitar at 10 [because] that’s where I really
wanted to see myself; in the genre of alternative rock,” he said.
By 16, he began working closely with producer Fabian
‘Minim’ Worrell. Sélin kicked off his solo career with the release
of his debut single “Wonder”, a puppy-love soft-rock jam that
eventually made its way onto the United States ACQB Top 200
chart, where it peaked at the #104 position.
Following his passion, he enrolled into the Barbados
Community College’s Music programme. It was there that he
met fellow rock enthusiasts Jason Rampersaud, Jared Greaves,
and Will O’Donell, where they deviated from the norm in the
predominately jazz school. After being in a rock ensemble led
by Marius Charlemagne, they decided to take their music more
seriously by forming a band. And thus, The Longest Night was
born.
“It’s been a crazy four years,” he says. Crazy is an
understatement. What followed their inception seemed
to derive from a movie script with its various plot twists.
After the release of their impressive debut album “State of
Attention”, they suffered a brief setback as bassist Greaves left
the band. Nonetheless, the triad pressed on until they were
afforded their biggest opportunity: a chance to perform at the
SyncSummit in Hollywood California. A successful showcase
done and with a licensing deal to boot, they were on the ascent.
Until, right before another life-changing showcase, members
Jason and Will, left the group in a puzzling decision to start their
own band.
“Everyone makes their own paths in life; everyone has
responsibilities,” Sélin said with disappointment etched across
his face. “I’m on good footing with all the guys [who were]
in the band right now. They chose to leave the band because
they have other interests, so I support them.” Even though he
felt downtrodden, he had no time to sulk. “Yeah it hurt. It was a
setback. But when they left, a week later The Longest Night was
performing at the Caribbean Music Summit in a new form and a
new direction.”
40 | BIM ROCK | MUSIC ROCKs