Josh Ramsay: Canadian Singer, Songwriter & Producer Biography

There’s a certain kind of songwriter whose name appears in the credits of songs you’ve hummed for years — Josh Ramsay is one of them. Born in Vancouver on June 11, 1985, he’s the lead singer of Marianas Trench and the co-writer of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” a track that became the best-selling single of 2012. This biography traces how a polite Canadian kid turned a basement studio into a career spanning rock stages and pop charts.

Full name: Joshua Keeler Ramsay ·
Born: June 11, 1985 ·
Band: Marianas Trench (lead singer/songwriter/guitarist) ·
Notable co-write: Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen) ·
Grammy nomination: 2013 (Song of the Year)

Ten key biographical details sum up where Ramsay fits in the Canadian music landscape.

Who is Josh Ramsay?

Early life and education

• Josh Ramsay was born Joshua Keeler Ramsay on June 11, 1985 in Vancouver, British Columbia (Wikipedia).
• His mother sang backup for Leonard Cohen and taught vocal lessons; his father wrote commercial jingles and ran a recording studio where artists like Aerosmith and Bryan Adams recorded (CBC).
• He attended Magee Secondary School (Wikipedia).

The implication: Ramsay grew up surrounded by music — a home studio and professional parents gave him an early, practical education in recording and performance.

Career beginnings

• Ramsay began a solo career at age 14 (Wikipedia).
• He later formed a band with his sister, Sara Ramsay, called Ramsay Fiction (Wikipedia).
• Marianas Trench formed in 2001 (some sources say 1999) (Music Week).
• The band debuted in 2006 with Fix Me (Simkin Artist Management).

What this means: Ramsay’s trajectory from teen solo artist to band frontman shows a restless drive to create — a pattern that would later lead him out of the punk scene and into mainstream pop.

Did Marianas Trench write Call Me Maybe?

The story behind the song

• “Call Me Maybe” was written by Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay, and Tavish Crowe (CBC).
• Ramsay produced the track and sang backup vocals (Music Week).
• The song was released in 2011 and became a global hit, eventually the best-selling single of 2012 (Music Week).

Ramsay’s role as co-writer and producer

• Ramsay helped shape the arrangement and production in his Vancouver studio (CBC).
• The music video for “Call Me Maybe” has reached 1.5 billion views (Music Week).
• Ramsay received a SOCAN Award for Most Performed Song in SOCAN history for “Call Me Maybe” (Music Week).

The catch: While the song made Ramsay a household name in pop circles, it also created a benchmark that his own band’s work would always be measured against.

Is Josh Ramsay in a relationship?

Relationship with Amanda McEwan

• Josh Ramsay reportedly dated actress Amanda McEwan from around 2015 to 2018.
• Both have kept the relationship largely private, and no official confirmation of the timeline exists.

Why this matters: Because Ramsay maintains a low public profile, speculation about his personal life often outstrips verifiable information — a dynamic that leaves fans with more questions than answers.

Are Josh and Amanda still together?

• As of 2025, the status of their relationship is not public.

The pattern: Ramsay’s personal life remains largely private, leaving fans with unanswered questions.

What band is Josh Ramsay in?

Marianas Trench: formation and members

• Marianas Trench formed in Vancouver in 2001 (Music Week).
• The band has released five studio albums, including Masterpiece Theatre and Ever After (Simkin Artist Management).
• They won a JUNO Award for Pop Album of the Year in 2016 (Simkin Artist Management).

The pattern: The band’s sound evolved from punk-pop to orchestral rock, with Ramsay writing and producing almost every track.

Role as frontman and primary songwriter

• Ramsay is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter (Simkin Artist Management).
• He also plays bass, piano, and drums on recordings.

The implication: Ramsay’s multi-instrumental skills give him complete creative control — a rarity among pop-rock frontmen.

What is Josh Ramsay’s most famous song?

Solo hits vs. band hits

• His most commercially successful song is “Call Me Maybe,” which he co-wrote for Carly Rae Jepsen (Music Week).
• Within Marianas Trench, popular tracks include “Haven’t Had Enough” and “Shaketramp.”
• He also wrote and produced for other artists: “Dancing with a Ghost” (Valley) and “Let Me Down Slowly” (Alec Benjamin) (Music Week).

Call Me Maybe legacy

• The song earned a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year in 2013 (Music Week).
• It remains one of the best-selling digital singles of all time.

The trade-off: While “Call Me Maybe” gave Ramsay global recognition, it also made it harder for his own band to escape its shadow.

For Canadian music fans, the takeaway is clear: Ramsay’s contributions span both the alternative and pop scenes, and his next move — whether a new Marianas Trench album or another co-write — is worth watching closely.

For a detailed look at his career and discography, you can explore Josh Ramsays biography and songs.

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