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.
Nesten som eg lever
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Der vi kan leve for alltid
Vekk fra hullet som vi så svart i
Bombene i byen som det smalt i
Møt meg halv ti, nei, vi sier halv ni
Ta med en flaske med noe blankt i
La de tro det var den vi forsvant i
Men i den kulen så var det blankt i
No e det nesten som eg lever
No e det nesten som eg lever
No e det nesten som eg lever
Svever gjennom bildet av en by
Var vel under broen vi fant de
Utveien fra hodet det var trangt i
Og om eg ikkje tar for hardt i
Bør vi vel forlate det vi holdt fast i
No e det nesten som eg lever
No e det nesten som eg lever
No e det nesten som vi lever
Svever gjennom bildet av en
Snurrer rundt til vi blir svimmel igjen
Håper de ikkje har dørvakter i himmelen
No e det nesten som eg lever
No e det nesten som eg lever
No e det nesten som vi lever
Svever gjennom bildet av en by
The lyrics of "Nesten som eg lever" by John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen are about finding a place where they can live forever, away from the darkness and bombs of the city. The song talks about meeting at half-past nine, taking a bottle of something clear, and making it seem like they disappeared in it. The singer says that now it feels like he's almost alive, and he's floating through the picture of a city.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about finding a way out from under the bridge, away from the tightness in their heads. He suggests that they should let go of what they held onto, and then it almost feels like they're alive again, and they float through the picture of the city. The singer ends the song by hoping that heaven doesn't have any bouncers, as they spin around until they're dizzy.
The lyrics of the song are a poignant reminder of the struggles and darkness of city life, where people often feel suffocated and trapped. The song has a dreamy quality to it, laced with a sense of loss and freedom, as the singers search for a way out. The song's melody is light and easy, which contrasts with the heaviness of the lyrics, making it a beautiful and memorable track.
Line by Line Meaning
Må vel finnes et sted der kanskje vi kan
Perhaps there must be a place where we can
Der vi kan leve for alltid
Live there forever
Vekk fra hullet som vi så svart i
Away from the hole that was so dark
Bombene i byen som det smalt i
The bombs in the city that exploded
Møt meg halv ti, nei, vi sier halv ni
Meet me at half past nine instead of ten thirty
Ta med en flaske med noe blankt i
Bring a bottle of something clear
La de tro det var den vi forsvant i
Let them think that was the one we disappeared in
Men i den kulen så var det blankt i
But in that bullet, it was clear
No e det nesten som eg lever
Now it's almost like I'm alive
Svever gjennom bildet av en by
Hovering through the image of a city
Var vel under broen vi fant de
Guess we found them under the bridge
Utveien fra hodet det var trangt i
The way out from the tightness in our heads
Og om eg ikkje tar for hardt i
And if I don't hold on too tightly
Bør vi vel forlate det vi holdt fast i
We should probably leave what we held onto
Snurrer rundt til vi blir svimmel igjen
Spinning around until we get dizzy again
Håper de ikkje har dørvakter i himmelen
Hope they don't have bouncers in heaven
No e det nesten som vi lever
Now it's almost like we're alive
Svever gjennom bildet av en by
Hovering through the image of a city
Contributed by Bentley Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@EskildTrulsen
Er stolt av at Norge produserer på bra musikk! Flinke herlige folk!
@bosseg7748
Jo ni kan om ni vill hälsningar från sverige.
@kennethbhkbh
John Olav er beste norske nå om dagen. Blir aldri lei musikken hans
@sverredingsyr969
Han leverer igjen, igjen og igjen. Har ikkje ord.
@Intermentor
Jeg er er en musiker som lager ambient. Må innrømme at dette er mye mer hypnotisk enn mye innen sjangeren. Veldig drømmeaktig, høy kunst
@lurifax666
Endelig!!! Herregud så bra,
@kjetil_
No e det nesten som eg lever
@ewajustynaroman1271
Brawo Rebekka!!!
@gsteam123
Jhon Olav rocker og jeg bor i vestrevadmyra der han filmet :) det er så nice
@kremtusj
hahaha, det e jo ik snakk om egenart en gang. mannen kan synge til helvete og tilbake.