Hoggorm pizza
Gramo stopped by Hoggorm pizza in Bergen to have a chat with owner Christopher Haatuft. We were curious about his thoughts on the use of music in the restaurant.
Do you have a conscious approach to the use of music in your restaurant?
-Yes, we have! Actually in all the restaurants I run. Going back to when we opened Lysverket, with Fredrik Saroea playing in Datarock, it was very important for us to connect the music scene to the restaurant.
What are your thoughts on Gramo and Tono?
-"Before I knew what it was and what it was about, I could get annoyed that we had to pay. But when you understand where the money is going, it's fine.
"I have the impression that when the Gramo and Tono money arrives, it's very welcome for the musicians. The fact that they get a few extra kroner through Gramo or Tono is just what they need.
Do you think it is fair to pay for the music?
-"I'm just using a service that I have to pay for. It's a small expense that shouldn't matter to a shop like this, but it matters a lot to performers and producers. We're lucky to get a lot of money from the guests for what we sell, so we also have to make sure that it goes back out to the people we love and who help make our city and our lives great.
We have 15-year leases, so we have to have restaurants and places that people love and feel ownership of, and music is an easy way to do that.
We are not fond of paying rent, but we are happy to pay Gramo!
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