About Popkanon

Music without borders.

A Norwegian songwriting trio and music production team collaborating with emerging artists, musicians and DJs around the world.

Scandinavian roots

Three Norwegian songwriters with a shared ear for melody, honesty and space.

Across borders

Working between the United States, Norway and Spain — and with artists wherever they are.

Write. Produce. Together.

From the first line to the final mix, we build songs side by side with the artists who sing them.

Independent by choice

We release our own music on our own terms, and choose collaborations for the people, not the playlists.

The trio

Paal Bay Braathen

Songwriter, Lyricist · Chicago

Paal Bay Braathen is a Norwegian songwriter and lyricist based in Chicago, USA, and one of the founding members of Popkanon, established in 2020 alongside longtime friends Morten Gabrielsen and Tomas Jensen. With a passion for songwriting, storytelling and international musical collaboration, Paal contributes to Popkanon's distinctive creative identity. Working across the United States, Norway and Spain, the trio brings together different musical influences, emerging talent and established artists to create original music that connects across cultures. For Paal, Popkanon is built on friendship, creativity and the shared ambition to make music that resonates beyond borders.

Tomas Jensen

Songwriter, Musician and Producer · Oslo

Tomas Jensen is a Norwegian songwriter, musician and producer based in Oslo, and one of the founding members of Popkanon alongside Paal Bay Braathen and Morten Gabrielsen. Combining musical creativity with a passion for production and collaboration, Tomas plays an important role in shaping Popkanon's sound. His work brings together songwriting, musical arrangements and production, helping transform creative ideas into finished recordings. As part of Popkanon's international creative collective, Tomas collaborates across genres and borders, driven by a shared passion for discovering new sounds, working with talented artists and creating music that connects with audiences worldwide.

Morten Gabrielsen

Songwriter and Lyricist · Oslo

Morten Gabrielsen is a Norwegian-British songwriter and lyricist based in Oslo, and one of the founding members of Popkanon alongside Paal Bay Braathen and Tomas Jensen. With an international background spanning music, creative production and storytelling, Morten brings a cross-cultural perspective to Popkanon's songwriting and artistic direction. His work focuses on creating meaningful lyrics, memorable melodies and songs that connect with audiences across borders. Alongside his musical pursuits, Morten has developed a career in acting and creative entrepreneurship, bringing a distinctive storytelling perspective to the collective. Through Popkanon, he shares a passion for international collaboration, discovering emerging talent and creating original music that resonates with listeners around the world.

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