He’s the Georgian star who will perform the gentle song “You” at Eurovision 2021. And in the midst of his preparations for the contest in May, Tornike Kipiani sat down for an interview with wiwibloggs to discuss his entry and his thoughts on the contest in general.
Tornike originally earned the right to sing at Eurovision after winning Georgian Idol in 2019. He would have brought a mix of classic rock, electro and dubstep to Eurovision 2020 with “Take Me As I Am”. Although the contest was later cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he was internally selected to represent Georgia again at Eurovision 2021. This time he’s taking a softer approach with the song “You”.
The Georgian star, who is a 33-year-old musician and the father of three children, has a good track record in reality singing competitions. He previously won the 2014 edition of X Factor Georgia. Tornike’s mentor on the show was Cyprus’ Eurovision 2019 star Tamta.
Tornike spoke to our Georgia correspondent Rezo Mamsikashvili about “You”, Eurovision, X Factor and more.
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Tornike Kipiani Interview
Hi Tornike! What are you singing about in “You”?
This song is about loving everything on earth and loving someone on earth, and searching for some true love. Every human must love earth, because it is a lovely place for humans and it’s so cool to be here.
Your song is rather unique for Eurovision. What inspirations did you have when writing this song?
Inspiration is just life, nothing else.
“You” is wildly different to “Take Me As I Am”. Why did you want to move away from the rockier sound?
The first song was not only a rock song, it was some electronic genre and synthesis of electronic and rock music. I don’t like to be in one style or one direction. I am also trying to make some electronic, rock, industrial and pop music. I love all the styles of music.
Your music video highlights the beauty of Georgia. After the pandemic, which places outside of Tbilisi should we visit?
Georgia is a very beautiful country; it will be better, if we make it more beautiful. You can go to Adjara and see the mountains and the sea. You can see anything you want in Georgia. So, you can take some tourist map and you can visit anything you like.
One of your recent social media posts calling out online haters caused a slight stir with some Eurovision fans. Who were you addressing in it?
The translation was wrong, it’s not right. The post was only for haters in Georgia, who were writing some bad things to me. Eurovision is a very cool competition, it’s very friendly, peaceful and full of love – like a love, peace and freedom [symbol] for me. Everyone [takes you as you are] there, because of the song and not of your visual.
What can we expect from your live performance?
Live performance is always better than some kind of records. I cannot say yet, but I think it will be very nice to watch.
Which over songs do you enjoy from Eurovision 2021?
I really like the songs from Lithuania, France, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Your mentor in X Factor Georgia was Eurovision 2019 star Tamta. What lessons from Tamta do you remember?
Well, Tamta is an amazing person and every word that she told me was important. She also took a big part in choosing the right and nice songs in the competition. She was just telling me, do what you want and what you like, do your best on the stage. So only thing I can tell is that, I’m thankful and wish all the best to her. She is the best mentor of all the time.
Who is your favourite Georgian Eurovision entry?
Well, I like Nina Sublatti’s “Warrior” and Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz’s “Midnight Gold”.
Will Eurovision 2021 be your first time in the Netherlands?
Actually, no. It will be my third time there, but it will be my first time in Rotterdam.
Finally, do you have a special message for your fans and followers on wiwibloggs.com?
We love you and I hope we will meet each other and see you in the Netherlands or in Georgia, because being together is the most important.
Thank YOU Tornike, Best of luck!
What did you learn anything from this interview with Tornike Kipiani? How do you think his performance of “You” will be staged at Eurovision 2021? Let us know in the comments below!
I really really like his song … i totally get it is not going to qualify but it is a unique piece of music and that is always to be applauded.
Tornike is a sweet and humble guy who has probabmy gone through some sh**
Maybe, he insulted those people of another reason (he said only Georgian haters, maybe as they are intolerant etc.)
Everyone says something appropriate, do not pretend as y’all were angels. Maybe he had a bad day or whatsoever. My god…
probably*
Sweet ???????
I never liked ESC conception “be good and sweet if you’re here” because it’s a form of sweetened hypocrisy , so Tornike’s view seems a bull$h-t to me. You give a middle one to all people who have criticisms and now you’re talking about love and piece for everyone… No contradictions here as you see.
Since when?
Yeah that’s why he gave the finger on fb to those who doesn’t like his song. Out of love and peace
I think Tornike might be in danger of becoming my favourite person in Eurovision this year. Not only has he got an awesome song this year, he is also a fan of Ukraine. What a guy! He seems so natural and down to earth (see what I did there?). Love him!
Well, to be frankly honest, Eurovision, except for talent and a good song, introduces us to several artists and personas, most of the times even the song by itself works as an introduction of the artist, like Daði’s geeky but admirable personality through “Think About Things” and “10 Years” or Samanta Tina’s wild feminist messages through “Still Breathing” and “The Moon Is Rising”. Therefore, I am not as disappointed in Tornike for his choice, as I am confused for his inner world. Well, through that post that said “F* you in the ear” pretty much everyone understood that “Take Me… Read more »
People change
Especially during the pandemic
Good luck Tornike! Wish you the best