Launchpad [Issue #21]
Janove Ottesen: By Mandana Beigi
Francis’ Lonely Nights (CD Backporch)

Francis’ Lonely Nights is Janove [yah-NO-vuh] Ottesen’s solo debut with twelve well-crafted, vivid songs. For those familiar with Ottesen’s alter ego, Janove “The Jackal” Kaizer – front man of the popular band, Kaizer Orchestra, this album will be a surprising experience.

While Kaizer Orchestra are well known for their incredibly energetic concerts and fictionally based songs, Ottesen has created a more honest and personal mood for his solo debut. He admits that the songs on Fracis’ Lonely Nights were inspired by events and emotions that have happened to him or to his friends.

Ottesen’s production goal for the album was to be able to perform his music to an audience using only his voice and a guitar. And he has done a fantastic job in creating meaningful songs with simple arrangements. Whether it is the heartbreaking stories of love and angst in “Juliet” and “Forget About Me,” or the sad tale of shattered dreams and lives in “Neighbour Boy,” the entire album is a beautiful musical narrative of the human emotions and the bittersweet events of life.

These are amazingly engaging songs that could each be the synopsis of a movie. The characters, the stories, and the emotions are way too intimate and alive to just vanish at the end of each song. Ottesen’s extraordinary songwriting skill and beautiful lyrics bring soul and liveliness to every track on this album. He is a master storyteller.

Francis’ Lonely Nights is a great new direction for an artist who has stepped outside the boundaries of his successful rock band to create a fresh sound that is both simple and personable.

This is a great new find for fans of Sondre Lerche and David Gray.

Francis’ Lonely Nights
Backporch

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