John Ondrasik of the piano-driven rock band Five for Fighting seems to have a knack for reaching people with his music.
There’s no doubt he’s doing the same with Five for Fighting’s latest album, “Two Lights,” a sentimental and thought-provoking opus to family, love and loss.
Ondrasik calls it “the hardest record I’ve ever done” because he spent a year writing songs that ended up in the trash. But his frustration didn’t last long.
As soon as he settled on the idea that “Two Lights” would be a full-fledged piano album, he says the inspiration started to flow.
From the ’65 Mustang that sits on his driveway to the guilt of not always being there for his children, he drew from his personal experience.
His father-son love song “The Riddle” had been churning around in his head for a while.
“Road to Heaven” was inspired by his son’s wondering aloud during a drive to his grandmother’s funeral.
Five For Fighting
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St.