Robert (Bobby) Selvaggio is a credited producer, engineer, mixer, editor, songwriter and composer.
After spending years traveling and working in studios across the country, Robert wanted to take a break from the road and focus more on his own music and art. RBS Gallery And Sound was born.
In addition to writing, recording and releasing his own music under the name Benjamin r, he also branched into the film business as a re recording mixer.

In 2009, Robert released his first solo record “the other side of nowhere” under the name Benjamin R. The record was well received by fans and critics alike.

When asked where the name Benjamin R came from: “Well, I wanted to just use my name, Bobby Selvaggio. However, shockingly, there was already another musician/artist named Bobby Selvaggio – a jazz guy. He also had the domain name locked up. So, after coming up with a bunch of not very cool options, I decided to just go with Benjamin (my real middle name) and R – which stands for Robert. I did consider using Robert Benjamin but, that old saying ‘never trust someone with two first names’ popped in my head. And I knew I didn’t want to not trust myself. Ha, ha” So, Benjamin R just felt right.”

When time allows, Robert practices his other passion: painting. He has been selling his work and showing in galleries in the Los Angeles area since 2006.

“My mom was an artist. As long as I can remember, I was always drawing something. There was always art supplies all over the house too, so it was just something I always did. I took an oil painting class in college and was hooked. Around 2006, I was taking some time off between recording projects and my neighbor invited me to her gallery group show. I had no idea she was even an artist. That was the spark. Seeing her work and meeting some of the folks in that world inspired me greatly. I was looking to stay away from the music world for a bit but still needed a creative outlet. It presented itself at the perfect time. I started painting that weekend and 6 months later, I was showing my own work in a group show at a gallery in LA. It’s become my other passion. And it’s definitely something I wish I had more time to do.”

Robert discovered his other passion, songwriting, when he got his first guitar at age 14. When asked which “hat” he identifies with most between songwriting, producing, recording, mixing, re mixing, and painting? “Songwriter. A painting is rewarding, producing others and mixing is equally rewarding. But writing a song? There’s nothing that compares. It’s something I find myself doing whether I want to or not. It’s just in my blood.”

When asked about the use of AI in music: “I have no use for it. Nothing against those that do, but it seems like you’re cheating yourself out of the process. The suffering. The writing. The re-writing. The starting over. The frustration. The highs. The lows. All of the phases of creativity are so important for the final outcome. The blood, sweat and tears become the life force of the song. In other words, how you created the song is just as important as the song itself. And like I said, the reward that you feel when you finish writing? That’s the magic stuff, man. That’s what keeps me going. Plus, I’ve never had to go to therapy – not yet anyway, ha!”.