Initially, the band played several concerts in Bergen and Western Norway during 2007 and 2008. Their song "Diamanter & Kirsebær" was released on a compilation disc titled Opplett 2008 featuring music from Bergen-based acts including Fjorden Baby!, Kommode, The New Wine, Razika, Di Kjipe and Lars Vaular. In addition, they opened for Norwegian rock band Fjorden Baby! in a major concert on 18 December 2008.
The band was featured on NRK Urørt broadcast on P3 n 2008, and one of the finalists for best act in Urørt's annual show finishing in third place. In February 2009, they performed at the by:Larm music festival in Oslo. Also in February 2009, they were signed to Norwegian record label Voices Music & Entertainment (also known as VM&E).
The band's debut album was released on 14 September 2009 and well-received by critics and selling over 15,000 of the album. During Spellemannprisen equivalent to the Grammys held on 6 March 2010, they won the classic rock award in addition to being nominated for "best newcomer of 2009".
On 7 February 2011, the band released their second album Det nærmeste du kommer followed by an EP Vinterkarusellen with Nils Bech in February 2012.
JON&Gjengen split up as friends in 2013 as announced on Facebook by John Olav himself, and was followed by several concerts with the last one ever being held in Bergen November 16th.
I Veien
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen Lyrics
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I en alder av tjuefem
Eg trodde eg begravde deg for lenge siden
Når du holdt pusten og eg tok tiden
Men ja du går fortsatt
Opp og inn og under huden min
Klipper mine vinger og gjør meg til din
Eg som ikkje skulle være noen sin
Nei hører eg i det hun snur seg
Noen må svare for måten eg ble behandlet på
Det kommer til å smelle snart månelyst og stjerneklart
Ingenting åpner øynene som blind vold
Sa eg når eg slo meg ned i parken
Bare for å ende i endeløs kø
I dette landet der det
E lang ventetid for å dø
Hei ja det e klart det forstår eg men
Nei eg nekter å godta eg så
Någon ska betala för
Sättet som vår dröm fick spö
Här står jag för att få ett svar
Käften ler men hugger tillbaks
I stjernene
The lyrics to "I Veien" by John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen depict feelings of betrayal, longing, and inner conflict. The singer expresses disbelief and frustration at encountering someone they thought they had left behind in the past, highlighting the complexities of their relationship. The mention of burying this person long ago adds a layer of emotional weight, suggesting unresolved issues that have resurfaced. The imagery of holding one's breath while the other person takes their time reflects a sense of anticipation and tension in the dynamic between them.
The lyrics delve into the impact this person has on the singer, describing how they still manage to get under their skin and manipulate them in some way. The metaphor of clipping their wings and making them their own evokes a sense of control and loss of autonomy, hinting at a power imbalance in the relationship. The singer grapples with inner turmoil, feeling conflicted about not wanting to belong to anyone while simultaneously being ensnared by this person's influence.
The mention of wanting someone to be held accountable for the way the singer was treated introduces a theme of justice and retribution. The impending sense of something about to explode under the moonlit sky adds a sense of foreboding and unresolved tension. The reference to blind violence as a stark awakening for the singer underscores the harsh realities they have faced and the impact it has had on their psyche.
The lyrics transition to a scene in a park where the singer reflects on the futility of their actions, symbolized by sitting down only to end up in a never-ending queue. This imagery conveys a sense of stagnation and resignation in the face of societal structures that seem indifferent to individual struggles. The refusal to accept the status quo and a determination to seek answers and accountability for past wrongs drive the singer forward, demonstrating a resilience in the face of adversity. The concluding reference to stars in the sky ties back to the overarching theme of celestial elements as witnesses to the singer's journey of self-discovery and seeking justice in a world filled with complexities and contradictions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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