Holon is the musical project of Norwegian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ronny Pedersen, based in Trondheim. Blending progressive rock, ambient textures, and cinematic storytelling, Holon’s music explores themes of love, loss, transformation, and reflection.
The debut album, The Time Is Always Now (2016), introduced holon’s emotional and philosophical sound, while the upcoming release, Love & Behold, expands that vision with fuzz guitars, Hammond organs, dynamic arrangements, and introspective lyrics.
Ronny writes, performs, and produces the music from his home studio, with long-time collaborator Geir Anfinn Halland Johansen on drums. Together, they create immersive, emotionally charged soundscapes that invite listeners to slow down, reflect, and connect – music that’s progressive in form, but deeply human at its core.
1. Introduce us to the band! What are your names and what do you do in the band? Where do you call home?
Hi! I’m Ronny Pedersen, the creator of holon, based in Trondheim, Norway. holon is primarily a solo project – I handle vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, songwriting, production, mixing, and mastering.
I’m joined by Geir Anfinn Halland Johansen, my long-time collaborator and drummer, who brings the heartbeat and dynamic energy to the music. Trondheim is home – a small but vibrant city surrounded by mountains and fjords, which probably explains why so much of my music has a reflective, spacious feel to it.
2. How long have you been together as a band and how did you find each other?
Holon really took shape around 2015, when I began working on what would become my debut album The Time Is Always Now. I met Geir through Rhys Marsh, who produced that first record. Geir had played drums on another project that recorded in Rhys’ studio, and when we crossed paths, it just clicked.
He has that rare mix of technical precision and musical intuition, and he immediately understood what I was trying to create with Holon. Since then, he’s been there from the start, grounding my layered arrangements with grooves that give the songs their pulse.
3. Do you have a special songwriting recipe you follow?
Not really a recipe – more like structured chaos. Most songs start with me noodling on guitar until something catches my ear – a chord progression, melody, or just a sound that feels right. From there, I start layering ideas, shaping harmonies, and following wherever the song wants to go.
Lyrics usually come later. That part requires setting aside time, staying in the process, and pushing through until it feels complete – even if it’s a struggle. Inspiration starts the fire, but discipline finishes the song.
4. How would members of your family describe your music to someone that hasn’t heard it?
They’d probably say something like, “It’s emotional, complicated, and you really need good headphones for it.”
My stepfather, who was a big hi-fi enthusiast, used to describe it as “music that takes its time but rewards you for listening.” I think that’s a fair summary. It’s not background music – it’s something to dive into.
5. What do you have on your (Spotify) playlists you would be embarrassed for others to see?
Well, I probably have quite a few 80s power ballads on there – I’m a sucker for big melodies and emotional choruses. I’ve also got some 70s disco-funk, like “Bouncy Lady” by Pleasure, and a few tracks from my acid jazz phase in the 90s – Jazzanova, Jamiroquai, that kind of thing.
Probably not what people would expect from someone making progressive rock today, but I think all those grooves and harmonies sneaked their way into how I approach rhythm and arrangement now. Music is a big melting pot, after all.
6. Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Since holon is mostly a studio project, live shows are rare – but when I do play, I usually take a few moments to breathe, tune the guitar (twice), and remind myself that it’s about connection, not perfection. Once I start playing, the nerves disappear and it just becomes about sharing something real.
7. Who have you met that has left you starstruck?
Not really musician related, but the last time I was truly starstruck was almost 18 years ago, right after my son was born. We were visiting my sister-in-law in Los Angeles and took a walk with the stroller along the beach in Santa Monica.
There was some big event happening nearby – big tents, cameras, the whole Hollywood setup – and suddenly Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt came walking straight toward us. Within seconds, photographers appeared out of nowhere, and suddenly we were in the middle of a mini red-carpet moment, stroller and all. Completely surreal – and definitely one for the memory bank.
8. What do you consider your greatest achievement as far as a band?
Honestly, just getting the music out into the world and hearing from people who connect with it. holon isn’t about chasing trends or chart positions – it’s about creating something honest and meaningful. When someone reaches out to say that a song resonated with them, that’s the real success.
Every message or comment like that reminds me why I started doing this in the first place.
9. What key elements do you believe make up a successful song?
There are two ways to look at it – what makes a song successful commercially and what makes it successful to me personally. I’ll go with the latter.
For me, a song has to touch me emotionally, through both the lyrics and the performance. I’m a sucker for strong melodies and memorable choruses, but it also has to tickle the logical part of my brain. I love songs that have complexity – odd time signatures, harmonic twists, or unexpected arrangements.
A successful song takes you on a journey – it makes you feel something and keeps you engaged both emotionally and intellectually. I especially love songs that build slowly and reveal more with each listen.
10. When writing, how do you know when it is finally done?
When it stops bothering me! But seriously, I usually know a song is done when nothing I add makes it better and I can listen to it without immediately wanting to tweak something. That’s when I call it finished and move on – otherwise, I’d keep tweaking forever.
11. What song of yours are you most proud of?
That’s a tough one. The song I’m most proud of is probably one that hasn’t been released yet, from the upcoming albumLove & Behold. It really feels like the culmination of everything I’ve been working toward with Holon.
Of the songs already released, I’d say “Two Grains of Sand.” It came together effortlessly – written in a hotel room in Istanbul after travelling through India. It’s simple, but it still feels genuine and emotionally grounded.
12. Is it possible to be on the road and not eat junk food? How do you keep it levelled out?
If I ever go on tour, I’ll be that guy with kombucha and veggie food on the rider. Definitely more of a health-focused setup than a rock ‘n’ roll one. It’s all about balance – a bit of caffeine, a bit of green tea, and hopefully some actual greens in between soundchecks.
13. Are you able to write while on the road or do you need a calm familiar space like home?
I prefer my home studio, which is literally in my house – it’s where I can dive deep into the creative process. But I do sometimes write while travelling; “Two Grains of Sand” was born that way. Travel gives me ideas, but home is where I shape them into songs.
14. What’s the most embarrassing thing to happen on stage or on tour?
I honestly can’t remember anything particularly embarrassing happening on stage – or maybe I’ve just blocked it out for self-preservation. And since I haven’t really been on tour, I’ve managed to avoid most of those classic band mishaps… so far. I’m sure I’ll collect a few good stories eventually.
15. What can BleachBANGS do to help you in any way?
Just sharing the music and helping it reach more listeners is already a huge help. Holon is all about connection, so anything that gets the music to people who might relate to it means the world to me.
16. How can everyone keep up with everything you have going on? Where can they get albums/merch?
I’m on all major platforms and socials:
🌐 Website: https://holon.band
🎧 Spotify: Holon on Spotify
🍎 Apple Music: Holon on Apple Music
🌊 Tidal: Holon on Tidal
🎵 Bandcamp: https://holonband.bandcamp.com
📷 Instagram: @holon_music
📘 Facebook: Holon Official
▶️ YouTube: Holon on YouTube
🛍️ Merch: https://holon.myspreadshop.no/
