(Original on www.aftenbladet.no)
Kaizers Orchestra's "Evig pint"-tour is getting near the end. A new album is already in sight: - If somebody records a new norwegian classic, it is going to be us, says Janove Ottesen.Concert: Tonight Kaizers Orchestra will play in Folken in Stavanger - one of the few concerts the band plays in Norway this year. And the Kaizers-singer promises a stylish show:
- We are in an unbelievingly good form at the moment. Our new bass-player, Øvind Storesund, has gotten used to everything very well, the chemistry in the band is good and the "Evig pint"-songs have now really settled. We're more relaxed now then the last time we played in Stavanger.
Kaizers Orchestra are in the homeland for a short time: The band will only play four concerts this time. In early summer they are heading out for Europe again: Denmark, Netherlands and Germany are wating - among others a prestigeous show at the colossal Rock am Ring-festival.
And inbetween tours, Kaizers are busy with the preperations for album number three - the successor of last year's "Evig pint".
- We already had some demo-sessions. We're planning two demo-recordings before we go into the studio - in summer or early fall.
- Do you already have some new songs?
- Actually, we already have more than 20 songs. Two of them we will play tonight; "Medisin & psykiatri" and "På ditt skift", Ottesen says. He characterizes the first one as "an up-tempo country-style 16 Horsepower-song".
And the Kaizers-guys face the album that should normally be the hard third album very offensively:
- It will be by far a lighter and easier record than "Evig pint" and even "Ompa til du dør". We wanted to make a great and happy album. But also an album with complex lyrics and melodies that are challenging: The album shall be true, Janove Ottesen puts forth.
And he goes on: - We are on top now. If somebody records a new norwegian classic, it is going to be Kaizers Orchestra.
The new album will be different from its predecessors. That is the way it must necessarily be, following the Kaizers-singer and -songwriter.
- The artists we look up to are those that change and keep their distinctive features at the same time - that holds for bands and artists like Beck and Radiohead. The inspiration of those is probably clearly visible. Beck and Radiohead do exactly what they want, they can at any time release a country-record, a pop-record, or a totally experimental record.
Janove Ottesen believes in change and renewal: Safety is cowardish and dumb. This is also what makes Kaizers a better band than most of the others.
The Kaizers-singer suspects that the for the time being still untitled third record will not be in stores until next summer. Before that, Ottesens solo record will be released. But he calms down his fans at once: - Kaizers persist. We also plan to release a really filthy record at some time. And at the moment, songs come more easily than ever before.
Guitar player Geir Zahl also delivers material for the next release. - But for every song he comes up with, I write five songs, Ottesen says. - They really come easy and painless at the moment.
From now until September, Kaizers will play about 70 concerts. Ottesen expects that the band will reach a total of around 100 concerts this year.
- How do you prevent that you get sick of it?
- We don't practice. That's the secret, grins the Kaizers-singer. - We try the new songs at the sound check.
Janove Ottesen is looking forward to coming home to Stavanger.
- I'm glad to go back to Cementen.
- Which is smoke-free since June...
- That suits me perfectly. I don't smoke.