T
HE FIGHT TO CHANGE THE PERCEPTION OF ROCK MUSIC
IN BARBADOS CAN BE A DAUNTING TASK, A TASK THAT ROBBI
SÉLIN WILL GLADLY UNDERTAKE. Knowing the plight of those
who came before him, he acknowledges those bands that
fought the good fight to raise rock awareness on the island.
“Kite, Threads of Scarlett, Standing Penance, Fighting Traffic . . .
they felt the same clench that everyone else feels, as Barbadians
are not really accustomed to that style of music.”
Sadly, some of the aforementioned bands have either
broken up, or have just simply run their course. However, Robbi
is determined to pick up where they left off: changing the
perception that this genre is only enjoyed by a certain colour
or class, (“white/bourgeoisie”) or those who go against the
religious norm (“devil music”). To supplement his campaign, he
developed a fusion sound he has dubbed island rock, with the
aim to make the harshness of rock a bit more palatable for the
average Barbadian.
“This is a very creative room,” Robbi said as we sat down in his
home studio. He went on to explain that this is where his mother,
Roberta Niles, studied for her PhD and his father, Andrew
Niles, sealed some big business deals. The set-up is modest:
an electronic keyboard, microphone stand, his laptop and four
guitars tucked into a corner. Sitting across the room is white
board scribbled with goals he seeks to achieve for the year.
MUSIC ROCKs | BIM ROCK | 39