By José Gandue @Gandour Photo @photo_obelo @vzarta_
First, a very personal observation, for which I take full responsibility: Daniela Ramona, the absolute owner of The Colombian blues music group La Ramona, She is one of the most beautiful women I know. Being in front of her (and this is a comment I've frequently heard among members of the Colombian music scene) creates a particular kind of nervousness, because Her beauty expresses a strength forged through rage, love, and overwhelming courage. And if we add to all that a voice that stirs and shakes the listener, we have before us an artist with a powerful impact like few others. She, who has been playing for several years in various venues in Bogotá, has decided to evolve her career and give it an even more personal touch, presenting her own material that is increasingly attracting the attention of the public and specialized media. Just a few hours from a new live performance, We were able to talk to her about the current state of her project and what's coming up in what we are sure will be a career worthy of close attention.
What is La Ramona about?
La Ramona is a solo project, it's blues rock in Spanish and it's led by the Colombian singer-songwriter Daniela Ramona.
It used to be a project that played every week in various bars in Bogotá, how has things changed in recent months?
Now I play at private shows and cultural spaces where they appreciate La Ramona's proposal.
Did you not feel valued before?
I needed to start releasing music so that the venues y bookers I could be valued for a product I've made, not just for the performance.
In what way do you feel you stand out from other blues projects?
I am the voice of a woman (or many) who speaks of her personal experiences in a very genuine and sincere way. I come from the blues and rock scene (where I feel there are hardly any female artists in my country), I write my own songs, and my work isn't built on a fictional concept, but rather on sincerity, without a script. I am an artist who connects with her audience, who feels vulnerable on stage (which isn't a bad thing), who cries when she sings, who is visceral. I think we need more of that to begin connecting from the individual and transforming it into a collective, empathetic feeling, where we understand that we have all experienced the same things, that we are not alone. I am a human artist who has a lot to say. Oh! And also, to round out the answer: in the blues world, I am Latin American, Colombian, and that's already unusual.
Let's talk about your song lyrics, what are they about?
They talk about situations I've experienced, about feelings, about my family, about letting go, about learning to leave, about learning to love, about reclaiming the body, about abuse, about violence, and about being reborn.
What's your take on the Colombian music scene? How do you feel about being part of it?
I feel like it's at an interesting point. We're building a community, we're connecting with other musicians, and the public is learning to value the artist and the cultural scene in general. There's still a long way to go, but we're on the right track. I hope this doesn't stop here and that we continue to evolve. Being involved in this world is difficult, just like any other, especially as a woman, but over time you learn to command respect in the right way, to earn it through talent and actions, to surround yourself with people who believe in you. I'm not saying it's easy for men, but it is necessary to talk about the scarcity of female voices at festivals, in the venues, In the press, and that needs to be changed little by little, starting with the music, the songs, and the nice people who listen to you and believe in you.
Finally, what's next for La Ramona? When can we expect to hear more material?
Material is coming! I'm releasing singles one by one from what will be my first album. The next release is in October. Videos and collaborations are coming! The Tenacious, Saail, And other surprises too. We're organizing a national tour for next year, as well as a stop in Europe if everything goes well.