With Snowan album created between the Laurentians and the Colombian jungle, Ramon Chicharron offers a modern Latin American sound, but connected to roots and heart. And this music that he plays as much in Quebec as in the United States could not be made anywhere else but in Montreal.
Originally from Medellín, Colombia, Ramon Chicharron moved here in his early twenties, he tells us during a friendly meeting in the Old Port. “The water inspires me,” says the 45-year-old singer-songwriter, who chose this location for the interview. “I often come here to compose.”
We start the conversation by getting to the heart of the matter: why did he choose the word “chicharron” as his stage name? A popular dish throughout Latin America, in several variations, chicharron is, basically, fried pork rind.
“At Christmas, in my street, the party lasted for days,” he says. “And at the heart of the celebration was the chicharron, which was shared between neighbors and even with passers-by. I don’t know if it was the cholesterol that made people happy, but I wanted to remember those moments!”
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Ramon Chicharron, in the Old Port of Montreal
On his website, Ramon Chicharron writes that he makes “alternative Latin music.” What exactly is it? “It’s my way of explaining this mix of traditional music with current sounds, cumbia and champeta with reggaeton and pop,” replies the multi-instrumentalist, who has drawn heavily from traditional Colombian and Cuban music.
“The trick is to create new sounds from that. Go down a little bit there, put a little reverb here. It makes a pretty original atmosphere.”
And it works for him. Released in 2020, his album Fisherman of dreamsproduced by Boogát, earned him the Félix for World Music Album at ADISQ, and was named Album of the Year at the Latin Awards Canada. His fame grew with the following album, Star Destroyerin 2022, allows him to give shows both in Quebec and in the United States.
“We went to Chicago, we’re going back, and also to New York, Philadelphia. These are places where there are large Latino communities. The second generation that was born in the United States, who has a background and roots, and who captures all the influences of pop music.”
His upcoming tour will take him to Minneapolis as well as Sept-Îles. But his audience is very different when he travels to Quebec: the Latin American community is much smaller in Chicoutimi than in Montreal or Toronto.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Ramon Chicharron
I think that in Quebec music and Latin music, there is something we share. I don’t know… maybe joy! I am very lucky that people from Quebec connect with my music.
Ramon Chicharron
People, who often do not understand Spanish, tell him that his music has brightened their lives during the winter or difficult times. “It’s very comforting.” Especially since the encounter is the goal of his music, which speaks of love, nature, and sensations that pass through us like waves.
“We live in a world that gives us everything. If we did everything with love, it would be like a gift to humanity.”
Magic
In the heart of Snowthere is guitarist Yves Desrosiers and producer Jean Massicotte, close collaborators on Lhasa de Sela’s first album. “It was very cool to have them. They brought something mystical to the production. I love Lhasa. In River and JungleI hear little bits of her, in the percussion associated with her album. It gives you chills.”
Excerpt from River and Jungle (with Yves Desrosiers)
But for this new album, Ramon Chicharron also has several collaborations, including Whaali and Maï. “We can have access to all kinds of music in Montreal, it’s incredible. It’s right here that it exists,” says Ramon Chicharron, who is convinced that his music is imbued with this particular Montreal spirit.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Ramon Chicharron
The more I travel, the more I appreciate the cultural side of Montreal, its diversity. That’s why I still live here. There’s something magical.
Ramon Chicharron
For Ramon Chicharron, places are important. If Snow was recorded in a studio in Montreal, the songs were created between Wentworth-Nord, in the Laurentians – “I was swimming in the little river just down there, it gave a vibe to the album” – and the isolated region of Chocó, on the Pacific side of Colombia.
“You can only get there by plane, you go from one village to another by boat. Their lifestyle is simple: they are fishermen who get up early in the morning, and catch the fish for the day. It’s an incredible place.”
The album is really a mix of those three places, he says. Plus one song, You heatwhich was recorded in Spain. “I believe that with music you can transport frequencies that are emitted in a specific place.” It’s not for nothing that his music makes you travel so much.
Latin music
Snow
Ramon Chicharron
Independent