(Original on aftenbladet.no)
Shortly after New Year, Janove Ottesen's album will be released in 11 European countries. And in spring, "Francis' lonely nights" will be released in the USA as well.Priority artist: - When you end up on the Virgin priority list, you just have to strike hard. It would be a scorn to say no to that release offer, Janove Ottesen says.
The solo album will be released in all of Scandinavia, the Benelux countries, plus Germany, Austria and Switzerland. France, Italy and Spain are on hold for the time being.
This will lead to some intense promotion activities starting around New Year. - There will be many interviews and solo appearances. I will take my guitar with me on the promo tour, Ottesen says.
USA in April
On April 1st, the solo album will be released in the USA. Janove Ottesen will also do massive promotion "over there". But the preliminary solo stop will be set in the summer of 2005. From then on it will be Kaizers Orchestra above everything else.- So you can guarantee that Kaizers Orchestra will continue to exist?
- Yes. Kaizers-practices and the recording of the new album will go after plan. The record company also agrees with that.
- There won't be much free time for you during the next year?
- No. This will be hard work. But if someone will do it, this is gonna be me, a self-confident as usual Janove Ottesen says.
Good songs
He underlines that it was the EMI/Virgin-offices in the different countries that wished to release "Francis' Lonely Nights".- The feedback of the different offices was very good. They have many records to judge by. That they wish to back me is a big proof of trust, Ottesen says.
Apart from that, he can tell that Virgin's leadership in London has also given their OK to the release plans.
- What is it that makes them so interested in you?
- The feedback says that I have good songs, a good video ("Go tell her"), a good cover, and that they think that I seem like a nice guy.
- What sales expectations do you have?
- If I manage to sell 5-10,000 records in each country, that's a good start. Probably it won't come to that. But I have gotten to know that I am a priority artist - an artist the company wants to work with. That is important.
And Janove Ottesen continues:
- Out in Europe I will be judged as a real newcomer. That won't happen in Norway.