Published on September 03, 2008.

Battle Creek native Santos Ramos brought his unique sound with him to East Lansing under the band name Dalí Rocket. Ramos, an English senior, writes his own music and plays every instrument except drums on his new CD. Eventually he’ll hit the East Coast for a six-month tour.

He said he’s always looking for fellow musicians to make music with and a whole lot more.

The State News How did you get your start?

Santos Ramos It was a project I started with a friend about three or four years ago, and it evolved and grew into a bigger project. My friend dropped out and now wherever I go I try to find other musicians to help me illustrate the recordings in a live setting.

SN Who inspires you?

SR My family got me into music. My mom used to teach me piano when I was little, and my brother got me into guitar.

When I was younger he got me into Radiohead, and later in life it was more classical music. I don’t want to sound like a cheap imitation of any of those people, but it definitely had a big impact on my music.

SN What is your sound?

SR Interstellar folk. I came up with that myself to describe it. It’s a lot of folk, techno instruments based around an acoustic guitar and layered with more ambient sounds and instruments.

SN What would you do with a million-dollar contract?

SR I would definitely take care of my family and use it to support myself so I could keep making music.

SN Name an artist you hate and why.

SR I hate Simple Plan. I hate mainstream hip-hop and country. I do like hip-hop music, but mainstream hip-hop just regurgitates lyrics and buys beats from other people.

SN Where can your music be heard?

SR MySpace is really the best way to find anything out.

SN How do you find different musicians to record with?

SR I usually just find other people by chance. I go to a lot of local shows. I play all of the instruments on (“Incessant Love Tribunal”) except the drums.

SN What artist would you love to work with?

SR More than anyone, Outkast. I think they mesh a lot of genres similar to the genres that influence me.

SN How did you come up with the name Dalí Rocket?

SR It’s a reference to surrealism. Dalí refers to Salvador Dalí and rocket, keeping with the surrealism theme, is about exploration.

SN What are you hoping to accomplish with your music?

SR I just want to be able to keep doing it. If I have to support myself through making music, that’s what I’ll do.

Are you an MSU student who makes music? Would you like to see yourself or your band featured in The State News? If so, send a sample of your work to features@statenews.com.