Shebapost: I enjoyed reading most of your interesting interviews online. Can you tell me, in brief, how your journey in music was since your childhood?

Selamino: I was born in Addis Abeba. I grew up listening to music continuously both at home and at the Mekane Yesus church.. Because music was an important part of the sermon, me and my siblings used to participate in the church’s youth choir group. We stayed in Addis until mid-60s and moved to Asmara.

The church in Asmara was at Geza Kenisha and that’s where me and my friends formed a Quintet (five members) and performed in the church for a couple of years. It was the era of The Beatles, Santana, and Jimi Hendrix…and it had a tremendous impact on my choice of music style. I also used to frequent local clubs where some of my friends performed and we had a special relationship. One such band was the Black Soul Band (BSB) that included good friends, Hailemariam G/Giorgis (a keyboard player) and the late singer Tekle Tesfazghi. That was when I fell in love with Tekle’s sweet songs.  After I joined IBEX we included his famous song, “Kemdlayey”, on IBEX’s Instrumental cassette released c. 1976.

I moved back to Addis sometime early 70s and after finishing high school, I was able to join BSB while they were on tour to other parts of Ethiopia. Alemayehu Eshete and Slim Jones were also part of the band and we continued to perform for almost two years.

Then I joined Venus club and performed for some months and eventually joined the IBEX Band at Ras Hotel. I take the IBEX times as my formative years because that’s where I discovered myself and developed my style of playing. Performing and recording with renowned singers such as Mahmoud, Aster, Ali Birra, Tilahun really encouraged me to experiment on how I can best accompany them. IBEX Instrumental music was also recorded during mid-70s and it gave us the chance to shine individually as instrumentalists and inspire other upcoming musicians.

Towards the end of the 70s IBEX name was changed into ROHA and we embarked on a whole different platform where music recording business was transformed into an industry. Throughout 70s and 80s and early parts of 90s, Roha Band alone was responsible for recording over 250 cassettes. (I will discuss this and other stories in detail in the near future). ROHA BAND also did an 8 months tour to the US in 1990. When we came back from our ‘ROHA-USA-TOUR’ we all agreed to take some time off to concentrate on our personal lives. Throughout 90s, I spent most of my time on managing my stores in Addis Ababa.

April 2000, I came to the US. Circumstances were not favorable for me to continue playing music in the US and started working as a parking attendant while I continued with my classes. After graduating, I was employed as a Tax preparer and later took up a career as a Real Estate agent. I also graduated as a Legal Assistant from Georgetown University in Washington DC. Although I was able to work at a law firm for some time, that 9-5 kind of job was not meant for me, because I lived most of my life as an independent artist.

The 2007/8 US economic downturn affected all walks of life and, once again, it gave me an opportunity to sit and re-think what path to take. I picked up my guitar and started practicing, and after doing it for a year or so me and some friends I knew while In Asmara, formed a group (The Legends) and toured extensively throughout USA and Europe, (2009-2011), doing over 40 shows. In the mean time I also tried to form other groups whether we stayed together of not. One such group was B Sharp Band (with Bass player and incredible musician, Kirubel Assefa in LA), and Pentatonic Band with Yonas (Keys) and Moges Habte (Sax). The plan didn’t work but I moved on and continued on a collaboration with the NY based Tomas Doncker Band, that started in 2009--present. We released Power of the Trinity CD … recorded at Bill Laswel studio (Orange Studio, NJ) and distributed by Sony Red; three shows at the Blue Note Jazz Club and successful shows at Summer Stage NY, 2012. God willing Broadway will be our next stop.

Currently, I am also performing at Bati Restaurant (Falls church area) with Teshome Mitiku and Bezawork Asfaw every Fridays and Saturdays.

Sundays, I play at Jolley’s Lounge (Alexandria) with the talented young musicians HAHU BAND…(Our name is SELAMINO AND HAHU BAND)

Shebapost: Everyone is talking about Bezawork's Tizita (spelled Tezeta on youtube) these days. Both of you are playing it at BATI restaurant, (Falls church, VA), every Friday and Saturday and on other venues. Your guitar really fits and gives "Tizita" a whole different feel. Tell me about it ?

Selamino:Yes, Bezawork is an incredible vocalist and I always enjoyed playing Tizita with her. It started during our ROHA days and We've played together on a couple of her recordings. That style of playing guitar, links and solos has continued also after I resumed performing, and later we got together at Bati Restaurant, here in Falls Church, VA area. Although, most of those guitar sound effects and gadgets were on the market for a very long period of time, I was able to pick the best sound to better express a unique type of song such as Tizita. One can witness this, at Bati, on Fridays and Saturdays, by watching how audiences enjoy our version of Tizita. This particular video on YouTube "Bezwork Asfaw Tezeta" was recorded a couple months ago at Getachew Kassa's farewell party here in Virginia.

Shebapost: Over 40 years in music and still looking young. What is the secret?

Selamino:(Smiles)I think it is a gift from God and I also firmly believe that God chose me to be a musician. When I observe people being touched by the effortless small things I do on my guitar, I feel it is a mission and a calling from God. That fulfillment and happiness itself contributes to one’s health and longevity. Believe it or not, I feel as if I’ve just started performing as a young boy, re-living those past years again. Hahu Band members really make me feel young again as if I am on American Idol or X-factor competing.

Shebapost: On your Facebook fan page Selam Seyoum (Ibex/Roha), You've put "I'll do it again" as your motto. What do you mean by that?

Selamino:That motto was designed and posted to motivate me. It is working as a constant reminder and a driving force on my renewed journey in music. I believe we will do it again.

Shebapost: What are your thoughts on our music in the diaspora?

Selamino: I understand life in the US is kind of hard. Musicians here should be able to earn a living by only doing music. It is hard to achieve that and most professional musicians are into other fields working more than 8 hours a day and don’t have enough time for rehearsals.. I am doing an experiment with Hahu band. Atleast, we have one day of rehearsal in a week. Moreover, because most of them live together under same roof, they are able to discuss music and solve some of their common problems. That might not be the case with other bands throughout the US but I believe most are working hard to stay together as a group. More comprehensive study is needed and I cannot go into a detailed discussion here. But the only thing I can do at this moment is continue making things happen by being so generous with my time and be consistent. If we are successful, that will serve as a road map or blueprint for others to follow.

Shebapost: What do you think was the strength of the legendary IBEX/ROHA Bands?

Selamino:As you may know, these were not the only bands in Addis at the time. But each had its degree of contribution and output. It was not only a question of talent, because there were extremely talented ones before us and there were even more while we were playing also after we stopped performing. I think IBEX/ROHA were lucky at the time.To start with, all the hard work was done while we were in IBEX (70s),because we were striving to sell ourselves Big.

Firstly, the two important recordings (Mahmoud’s ERE MELA MELA and IBEX INSTRUMENTAL) were done during this time; music rehearsal was every day; each of the members was encouraged to be creative and be part of the music arrangement process;Our collective names (IBEX/ROHA) were more important than individual's and that was why you see "Music by IBEX or Music by ROHA" on all our recordings;each participated in the rotating band-leadership serving for six months; each was a shareholder of musical instruments. All that hard work made the band strong and by the time the recording industry developed and our name changed to ROHA, it was the first one to benefit the most.

The 70s and 80s was a transition period in Ethiopia, it was the time of “Music of the Masses”…”Kinet Yehizb”. There were hundreds and thousands young aspiring singers and instrumentalists from “Keftegnas” and “Kebeles” looking up to us for direction and guidance. Radio, TV and cassette players also played a very important role. ROHA was lucky to be part of the last days of black and white TV during the early 80s and part of the very first ones of color TV towards mid-80s.

ROHA was hugely part of the recording industry that developed during the 80s and parts of its audiences were those young musicians who were continuously inspired by us. We practically owned the platform for almost over a decade,similar to Beatles of the 60's.

Even though we did not travel abroad while in IBEX, ROHA was able to travel extensively to parts of Africa, Europe, Middle East and the USA. During mid-80s Mulatu Astatke joined us when we performed in Paris and Madrid. Once we opened for Papa Wemba (Congolese vocalist) and later Kandia Kuyate (Malian singer) opened for us.

Shebapost: Your future plans and how do you like people to remember you? What is your legacy?

Selamino: I will definitely continue playing music. I am looking forward to writing a book based on my journey, including music of the Horn, with special emphasis on local private groups such as IBEX/ROHA, coming up.

-Two instrumental CDs, one is easy-listening and the other is one that I am working with Tomas Doncker Band in NY which is more of an original work.

-ROHA is getting together to re-do the best of Ephrem Tamiru’s cassette songs on CD

Concerning my legacy...now, that is totally up to my fans to decide on how to remember me because I believe I did not do anything significant to deserve that? The only thing I can say here is that I have enjoyed my journey in music and I thank all my fans for staying loyal to me.

Shebapost: Thank You so much for giving us your time and sharing these wonderful stories.

Selamino: Thank you.