The oil barrel rockers at the bicentennial
Photo: Morten Rygaard
Kaizers Orchestra on stage at Lyse Arena in Stavanger, Norway, in a live show full of energy, theatrics, and musical mastery.
Many of this year’s bicentennial events have centered on one of the most significant celebrations: the voyage of the Restauration across the Atlantic. As The Norwegian American has previously reported, a range of partners and collaborators have participated in the commemoration. Among them is one of Norway’s most unique rock bands, Kaizers Orchestra, which will perform in New York City on Oct. 10 to celebrate the arrival of the Restauration. The Norwegian American recently spoke with frontman Janove Ottesen to learn more about the band’s singular journey through the universe of music and how they connect to the milestone of Norwegian emigration.
Kaizers Orchestra has earned a reputation as one of Norway’s most unusual cultural exports. The band is known for turning its concerts into a mix of theater and rock spectacle. Ottesen might take the stage balancing on an oil drum, while organist Helge Risa appears in a World War I gas mask. The audience experiences a show that is part carnival, part rock opera — and entirely their own.
To put it in a Norwegian-American context, you could say that trying to describe Kaizers to someone who hasn’t heard them is a bit like trying to explain lutefisk to someone who’s never had it — it’s unusual, intriguing, and somehow, once it clicks, people can’t get enough of it.
Formed in Bergen in 2000 by childhood friends Janove Ottesen and Geir Zahl, both raised in Bryne near Stavanger, the band quickly made its mark. Just a year after releasing their debut album, Ompa til du dør, the crew of six won the Spellemann award (Norwegian Grammy) for best rock album. Since then, Kaizers has grown into one of Norway’s biggest live acts, earning numerous awards and selling out tours until the band went on hiatus in 2013 after their Farewell Tour.
Photo: Morten Rygaard
Helge Risa in his signature World War I gas mask, embracing the theatrical elements of Kaizers Orchestra.
A universe of music and theater
What makes Kaizers so unique? Ottesen explains, “We are almost 100% unique — not just in one or two ways, but in almost every way you can describe a band: the music, the lyrics, the instrumentation.” This distinctive approach has given them a signature sound that few can imitate. Through thousands of concerts, they have proved that the combination of theatrical performance and catchy music resonates with audiences everywhere.
“It’s a complicated mix of ingredients, not easy to copy. But this has always been our style, and it makes it easier to move forward. This isn’t luck or coincidence — it’s a combination of how we want to be as artists,” Ottesen says. The result is music that polarizes: “Either you love it, or it’s not for you. And that’s great, because the people who love it follow us all the way.”
The live experience is central to everything they do. Many fans discover the band through friends who bring them to concerts, and the stage show becomes as much a collective experience as a musical performance. “The audience wants to be part of the band, and we want to be part of the audience,” Ottesen says.
Kaizers’ uniqueness is not just musical — it is a fully realized universe. Their lyrics have inspired theater productions and musicals. “Once you get familiar with our lyrics, you discover entire text universes that have been turned into plays and musicals. It’s a whole world to explore if you’re interested,” Ottesen says.
Literally setting the stage in their music is another hallmark of Kaizers. Their songs often describe where the scene is happening, who is present, and what is taking place — inviting listeners into a vivid, cinematic world. Recurring characters and themes appear throughout their work, including mafia figures, revenge plots, and glimpses of madness. “You can dream away with our music,” Ottesen says. “It doesn’t need to be close to everyday life. It provides a fantasy that’s fun to imagine.” These storylines blend with historical references, sometimes drawing on events in Europe, combined with romanticized visions of old times, creating a layered world for fans to explore.
Musical diversity and instruments
Kaizers defy easy categorization. “We have so many different kinds of music by now,” Ottesen says. The band blends rock energy with theatrical elements, symphonic arrangements, rap, R&B, and garage rock — often featuring spectacular stage props like oil drums and gas masks. “There’s something about Kaizers for a lot of people. If you’re someone who listens to all kinds of music, maybe Kaizers is for you, because we play all kinds of music.”
Their instrumental setup contributes heavily to their distinctive sound. Guitars, a drum set, and double bass provide the core, but unconventional percussion like oil barrels and brake drums adds an industrial, unpredictable energy. Keyboards include pump organ, piano, and occasionally marimba, layering textures that evoke a dark cabaret feel while maintaining an alternative rock foundation. The variety is evident in concert. “If you’re at a show and hear 13 songs, they are all different. You won’t want to go to the bathroom or buy a beer because you might miss something,” Ottesen said. Audience participation is key, with fans becoming part of the performance. “Many people enjoy coming to our shows because they love watching how involved the audience is,” Ottesen adds.
Storytelling and characters
Another defining feature of Kaizers is that their music has always been closely tied to narrative. The band crafts albums as complete works, not just collections of hits. “We like to make albums, not singles. We like coherence, seeing how everything connects so it becomes a journey,” Ottesen explains.
Their stories range from interpersonal dramas to fictional worlds inspired by film and literature. On stage, Ottesen embodies various characters — from the devil to a 7-year-old daughter. “I can play the devil, a 7-year-old daughter, or any other character in our lyric universe,” he says. The result is a theatrical experience where music and storytelling merge, creating a dreamlike escape for the audience.
Creativity within boundaries
Kaizers’ creative process usually begins with music. “For me, I start with the music about nine times out of ten. I begin with a song I want, then try to sing about something that matches its vibe. There’s a big difference between what lyrics fit in a dirty, pounding rap track versus a calm ballad on the pump organ,” Ottesen explains.
He likes setting boundaries for the creative process. “I like to set frames. Within that frame, what I create exists. Imagine someone saying, ‘everything is possible, go!’ — it’s harder to get started. You always end up somewhere anyway, so it’s smart to set some limits for the process.”
Credibility and authenticity underpin everything Kaizers do. “We follow our hearts and passion first — creating music. To convey something convincingly, you have to be genuine in what you do,” Ottesen says.
Hiatus and reunion
After the Farewell Tour in 2013, the band took a long break. “We had 10 years where we didn’t play. It wasn’t planned to be that long,” Ottesen says. Members stayed in touch through annual holiday gatherings, and after seven years the idea of playing together resurfaced. “I wanted to play Kaizers’ songs again, with the friends in the band. The response was that it could happen.”
As part of the Restauration celebration, the band was invited early to participate in the Norwegian-American initiative. “When we were contacted by Restauration early in their process, we were already thinking about playing in the United States this fall. We saw it as natural to join and support each other,” Ottesen says. In this way, Kaizers Orchestra connects to Norwegian emigration history in a unique way, where the universe of music and stage performance meets historical commemoration.
Kaizers Orchestra continues to invite audiences into their vivid musical universe, where storytelling, theater, and rich instrumentation come together in unforgettable ways. From Norway to New York, they hope to bring both Norwegian and American fans — longtime followers and newcomers alike — into their world and share an experience that is as immersive as it is exhilarating. As Ottesen said, they want their energy and passion to “smitte over på publikum,” letting the excitement and joy of the performance ripple through everyone in the room. For Kaizers, every concert is more than a show — it is a chance to connect, inspire, and create a shared memory that lingers long after the final note.
This article originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of The Norwegian American.
