Ole Paus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Paus in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ole Christian Paus |
| Born | 9 February 1947 Oslo, Norway |
| Died | 12 December 2023 (aged 76) Drammen, Norway |
| Occupations | Musician, singer-songwriter, writer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1970–2016 |
Ole Christian Paus (9 February 1947 − 12 December 2023) was a Norwegian singer, songwriter, poet and author, who was widely regarded as the foremost troubadour of the contemporary Norwegian ballad tradition (Norwegian: visebølgen).[1]
A member of the Paus family, Ole Paus was born in Oslo in 1947 and was the son of General Ole Paus. He was the father of composer Marcus Paus.[1]
Paus died in Drammen on 12 December 2023, at the age of 76.[2]
Ole Paus debuted as a singer-songwriter in 1970 and as an author the following year, after he was discovered by Alf Cranner and Alf Prøysen, respectively. He was one of the central figures of the so-called visebølgen i Norge, i.e. troubadours in the tradition of Evert Taube, Cornelis Vreeswijk and others.
His works are marked by critical and socially conscious songwriting. His works often commented on political and societal issues. As a young adult, Ole Paus initially had a clear affiliation with the political right, but eventually adopted a more independent stance in the cultural landscape of the 1970s. Paus was often perceived as a "bourgeois anarchist" who challenged authority and societal norms from the unique position of being both insider and outsider in Norway's "establishment".[3] Jon-Roar Bjørkvold described him as "the bourgeoisie's scolder and tireless enfant terrible."[4] Bjarne Markussen referred to Ole Paus as "the last bohemian," noting that he shared with Jens Bjørneboe a mix of radicalism and conservatism, speaking against state power and defending vulnerable and marginalized individuals.[5] During the 1970s and 1980s, Paus was known for his biting social commentary, especially in his ironic and sometimes libellous "musical newspapers" in the form of broadside ballads in a series of albums titled "The Paus Post". His social and political commentary aimed at both left and right in the political spectrum and Paus was described as a man whose satirical lyrics managed to enrage both communists and Christian conservatives.[6]
His later works become known for a softer and more lyrical style, and include songs such as "Innerst i sjelen" and "Engler i sneen". He has often collaborated with Ketil Bjørnstad, notably on the "modern suite" Leve Patagonia; he has later collaborated with Kirkelig Kulturverksted on several projects, and with his son, the classical composer Marcus Paus, notably on the children's opera The Witches, Requiem and several later works. One of his songs, "Mitt lille land", gained wide popularity after the 2011 Norway attacks and was described as "the new national anthem". He has been described as the Norwegian counterpart of Bob Dylan and as the "voice of the nation."[7] Paus was discovered by artists Alf Cranner and Alf Prøysen, and was mentored by André Bjerke, Jens Bjørneboe and Henny Moan. Paus is noted for his consistent use of Norwegian and has been eager for other Norwegian musicians to switch from English to Norwegian.
(For peak charting positions, see NorwegianCharts.com)
