This morning the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has revealed that it’s going internal for Eurovision 2016. After weighing its options, sizing up its stars, and debating behind closed doors, officials have selected the indie band Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz for Stockholm. The name “Lolitaz” may suggest something cutesy and sensual, and smack of the Vladimir Nabakov novel, but the band is actually comprised of guys. They are: Nika Kocharov (vocals, guitar), Gia Iashvili (vocals, bass), Nick Davitashvili (guitar, keyboards) and Dima Oganesian (drums).
Open call for songs
So far reaction online has skewed a bit negative, with some fans drawing comparisons to (2014 disaster) Mariko & The Shin. But we don’t have a song yet so perhaps it’s best to withhold judgment for now — especially since GPB is casting its net wide to find a song.
The broadcaster has announced an open call for songs, requesting numbers with a “melodic song structure of alternative and indie rock with electronic beats, synths and/or samples, and club orientation of post-disco dance music.” Basically they want to get oximated. Songwriters are asked to send their songs as audio files, along with a photo and a CV, to [email protected] between December 15 and January 8.
From the submitted songs, five will be shortlisted, with the winning song chosen by an international jury and public votes.
This year’s selection marks a departure from 2015, when Georgia staged a national selection featuring five acts, each of whom had a public profile. Last year the public had two whole weeks to submit their votes, with Georgia’s Nina Sublatti emerging as the victor.
Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz
Nina Sublatti at Eurovision 2015
A fighter, oximated and determined to avenage the Shin’s disastrous result at Eurovision 2014, Nina really slayed the pack. A thoughtful revamp coupled with some kickass staging made this epic. Not even a smoke machine malfunction couldn’t keep this girl down!
Nina Sublattia at Eurovision 2015 red carpet
Are you satisfied with GPB’s decision?
I just love the fact people are saying Georgia should be congradulated by sending them and how ‘Three minutes to Erth’ was out of the box and great. But they came LAST out of 15 thats not good. This is a competition and you want a song that appeals to a wide range of people. I mean you wouldn’t send a lousy Athlete to the Olympics just because its different right? These are the same people who said fans were wrong for wanting Sweetbrains to be in the Belarussian selection. Despite the fact that an act like Sweetbrains would do… Read more »
GEORGIA WANT TO BE THE LAST ONE AGAIN LIKE IN 2014
DE VERDAD LA MUSICA RARA ES TAN POPULAR EN GEORGIA.
It remains to be seen what they will present us with. My horse many was on Nina getting the call again.
I’m from Georgia but have no idea who are these guys. Let’s wait and hope that it will be a decent song.
Well, I liked Mariko in 2014 so I’m all for another out of the box georgian entry, even if everybody else hates it 😉
I’m not optimistic for now but I will judge this at the end song. Georgia should’ve gone for national selection.
This could be very interesting. I know most of the wiwibloggs readers usually want pop and nothing but pop, but I’m looking forward to seeing the song these guys come up with.
I love Indie/Alternative, buuuut it could be hard for them at Eurovision. They really do need a good song, let’s see…
Hmm, thinking of submitting a song actually, it’s an interesting genre they’re looking for and it could be fun to give it a try!
I liked ID, didn’t like Room. Excited to hear the song they send. If it’s anything like the Shin and Mariko, I’ll be super excited because I for one loved that song.
PERFECT! Eurovision is not more about female singers and gay pop songs. It will be different and high-quality. It will be the best year in the history!!!
Hopefully they won’t pull off a “three minutes to earth’…
I’m actually excited for the song
Congrats to the Georgians for having the balls to send something different… Of course, many of the so-called “ESC fans” on here will write them off without even hearing the song first, but that’s irrelevant…
shin and mariko memories are coming in my mind and the final seems awaaaaayyyy….
Glad I’m not the only one who had Mariko and the shin flashbacks
It seems like this would be the typical song which is at the bottom of every ESC Top. Anyway, we’ll have to listen the song. Who knows… maybe they will surprise us.
uhhhhhhh okay?
I’m not going to judge them until I hear the song but that band name doesn’t leave a good first impression
Hate the band name, but prepared to hear the song before putting them near the bottom of the list 😛
I hope it will have some edge, otherwise it might end up sounding similar to the rock entries already chosen.
Indie-rock could be like American Authors or something, catchy melodic songs like that. That could work relatively well in that case cause it’s catchy enough to garner some attention.
I have no idea what post-disco sounds like, but why would a rock-band sing it?
They seem different. If they do send something different and compelling it could go the same way as Kedvesem, but if it ends up being something boring then they may not leave the semis.
Oh Georgia…….
So ‘Minus Two’ has just joined ‘Minus One’ in the bands category for 2016. There’s something about this band formation that lacks a certain ‘edge’ or a collective persona. They pull no stunts nor do any sideshows, just focus on their alternative music and jam sessions. It seems perfect for a dark and intimate smoky club scene…at this point, it looks like a very odd choice.
Ah, the land of OXIMATED people. I will always connect “oximated” with Georgia. Hahaha
2016 internal selections are turning out to be battle of the bands hah
I like indie music so it actually could be great.