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BABYSUE
The Other Side of Nowhere (Independently released CD, Pop)
Imagine a talented singer/songwriter/producer with a voice that sounds something like Emitt Rhodes and whose songs sound slightly similar to Ric Ocasek...and you might begin to have an idea of what Benjamin r (note that he does not capitalize the "r") sounds like. Although Benjamin has worked with many well-known artists (including Puddle of Mudd, Jewel, and Eagle Eye Cherry), not surprisingly he seems more focused on making his own music rather than producing others. The Other Side of Nowhere ought to help get the word out to the world about this guy's music...because he's super talented and his songs are surprisingly catchy and accessible. And not in a bad, crappy, sellable way either. Although just about every track on this album sounds radio-friendly, these songs are solid and good. Nice slick mid-tempo pop/rockers include "Quit," "History," "Time Is Running Out," and "Letters." (Rating: 4+++++)
http://www.babysue.com/2009-August-LMNOP-Reviews.html#anchor97863
- Babysue
ABSOLUTE POWERPOP
Benjamin R-The Other Side of Nowhere. This LA singer-songwriter (whose real name is Robert Selvaggio) has crafted a fine pop album that puts him right there with other contemporaries from the City of Angels such as AM and Gus Black, and also recalls Pete Yorn in places, especially on the engaging opening track "Quit". The uptempo "Falling Apart" is another standout, bringing Keith LuBrant to mind, and the melancholy "Tell Me I'm Wrong" also hits the right melodic notes. He also has a way with the ballads too, as he demonstrates on "Beautiful (Ugly Now)", while "Time is Running Out" has a bit of Jon Brion to it. An impressive debut.
- Absolute Powerpop
Discography
"the other side of nowhere"
release date June 09
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Bio
Benjamin r (aka Robert Selvaggio) is a singer/ songwriter originally from Tallahassee, Florida. He has spent a large part of his life with an equal fascination for both creating and recording music.
After spending most of the 90’s either playing in bands or doing solo/acoustic gigs in and around the southeast, Robert finally decided to take the plunge and purchase his own recording equipment in order to record/produce the band he was in at the time. “I knew a little about how it all worked so I wasn’t flying totally blind at that point. I eventually got a loan and just went for it. It was a great experience. I think the record only sold 300 copies, but it did get a lot of attention for how it sounded.” As a result, calls started coming in asking if Robert was available to record other local bands around town. One thing led to another and after Robert produced a few demos that got national attention, he found himself working full time for some pretty big names. “I moved to LA in 2000 and found myself getting busier and busier with less time to record my own music. I’m not complaining. It was an experience I feel privileged to have had. One that I think has helped me tremendously in every aspect.”
Through all the craziness and countless hours in the studio, Robert never stopped writing his own songs. Finally in 2007, he made the decision to leave the comfort of the major label studio gigs and focus on producing his own record. He started going back through the many songs he had written over the years and chose 11 that he thought worked well together . Along the way, Robert was hired to write and record the music for a short film. While doing this he also wrote and recorded a song for the end credits and decided that this would be a perfect cap for his record. This song, titled “The Hunger” would become the bonus track on the cd.
After a few setbacks, including a broken wrist, which put things on hold for much of 2008, Robert has finally finished and released his first solo record under the name Benjamin r.
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