From Putti Plutti Pott to TikTok to one of Norway's most played songs. Ramón Andresen wants to be remembered for more than his biggest hit and is working on new music. In the future, there may be a Christmas song too.
/ 20/12/2023 / Willy MartinsenThe article is taken from TONO's background music magazine. "Music that amplifies"
– I'm going to have some confidence in this. It's not "ok I promise", but me as an artist that people have noticed. It could have been a flash in the pan, but now I'm selling out concerts everywhere, says Ramón confidently.
It was in 2022 that the 25-year-old really broke through with the monster hit "ok jeg lover". It is still the song with the most plays in one day in Norway. At this point, he had already promoted his songs to a whole army of followers on TikTok, but then he became a well-known name outside of social media as well.
Since then, he has kept up the pressure and is putting his second long festival summer behind him. Now Ramón is in a studio period with a focus on new music and a slightly calmer everyday life. Then there will also be time for a coffee break and a chat, before he returns to songwriting.
– For the first time, I feel like I have to treat it like a job. Music is my hobby too, but it's important to make time for other things that I don't have time for when I'm out playing, like having the afternoons off and meeting friends, he says, taking a sip of coffee.
Maybe this is the new normal for him: a large chunk of the year filled with concerts, followed by writing and recording.
Ramón still refers to himself as a boy, and finds the job as an artist to be a bit childish in some ways.
– To stand on stage and sing a song, sort of. But I feel like things are a bit in order now. Still, I'm constantly evolving, so if you ask me tomorrow, I might answer something completely different, says the artist with a laugh, followed by a thoughtful look.
Ramón sees himself as an Oslo boy, even though he has lived in various places. The name is due to his half-Spanish origins, which he does not rule out as an inspiration for future music.
Born into a sports-loving family, it was not a given that he would become a musician. However, it was only when music was played that Ramón could sit quietly around the dinner table. A few years later, he auditioned for the musical Putti Plutti Pott and got the lead role in Oslo Spektrum. Something big was in the making.
– I've been writing lyrics since I was ten years old. I got an iPad and discovered the note-taking function. Gradually, I started to develop my songwriting and got a sound card and microphone. Then I started taking music classes in high school, he says.
After participating in the TV2 program The Stream, he got a recording contract, but only sang cover songs. Ramón's first encounter with the music industry was not very positive. He became demotivated and considered studying both law and psychology.
Fortunately, his mother thought he should give it another try, and sent him straight to the songwriting and production studies at Kristiania University College.
– I didn't necessarily get the joy back right away, but I had the desire to do it, says Ramón.
If we fast forward to today, we can safely say that he has done it. In TONO's overview of the works played on Norwegian radio in 2022, Ramón's "ok jeg lover" was the second most played by Norwegians, after world artist Kygo.
– I love what that song has done for me, but I don't want it to define me. My discography is so much more. I also identify very much as a songwriter and not just an artist, he points out.
As a songwriter, TONO is a natural part of his everyday life. TONO's role is not something Ramón has always thought about, but as his success grows, he now realizes how important they are to his songwriting job.
– I didn't really see the value of it before, but it's great that we have TONO. It's great to have someone who takes songwriters' rights seriously. There are several people behind a song, and this is also their job, says Ramón.
In the café where he sits, tones flow from the speakers, creating a cozy atmosphere. Ramón has to think twice about talking about his relationship with background music in such surroundings.
– I pay attention to the music in cafes, one hundred percent. But it's mostly if they're playing good music. If it was completely quiet, I would probably put on headphones to listen to music, he says.
Music consumption is constant for the pop artist. He has several artist colleagues who need a break from music when they are not playing themselves. That is not the case for Ramón. There are always songs in his ear, or he is at concerts. Silence is never an option.
It often features Norwegian music.
– Emilie Nicolas is my favorite artist, I love Gabrielle and the new album by B-Boy Myhre, but also foreign artists. I have a split personality and would like to be Ariana Grande and an indie artist at the same time. My manager often tells me that, Ramón says and laughs.
Now that the temperature is creeping below freezing and holiday decorations are gradually taking over the cityscape, he swears by Christmas music.
– It's the one time of year when it's really common to listen to pop jazz music, isn't it? I love it, anyway. And as soon as I hear "All I Want for Christmas Is You" I get in the mood, he says.
Although he looks forward to coming home for Christmas to celebrate with his family, he most appreciates the time before. When it gets darker outside and the waiting begins, Ramón really enjoys himself. In December, he feels that everyone around him becomes a little happier. Then, sitting in the studio and making music becomes no problem.
And he always has his Christmas soda with him.
– I drink a lot of soda and I like that there is a light version of Christmas soda. Then I can drink a lot. But I think people have so many rules around Christmas soda. Let people live, sort of. I drink it as soon as it arrives in the store, he says happily.
So far we haven't seen a Ramón Christmas song of his own, but he doesn't rule out the possibility of one coming. Without giving too much away, he reveals that one is already on the way, but that another artist is singing it. In the future, he envisions singing one himself as well.
– But then it has to be really good and become a classic. Maybe it could be made into something special, like a Christmas calendar on NRK. Also, I just want one song, not a whole album. It will be a bit too Christmasy, he concludes.
Do you run or work at a cafe, shop, restaurant, or another type of business that would like permission to use the music of Ramón and other famous artists on your premises? Get in touch! Yes, I want to play the familiar music