Back in July, Armenia’s AMPTV teased us with details of their new national selection format for Eurovision 2017 —Depi Evratesil. A few weeks later, the country’s 2016 singer Iveta Mukuchyan exclusively told us that both she and the 2014 representative Aram MP3 would be involved with the selection in some capacity. And now we can reveal all. Iveta and Aram are joining a judging panel which is a veritable who’s who of Armenian Eurovision talent.
The two singers are set to be joined on the six person jury by Essaï Altounian (one sixth of 2015 supergroup Genealogy), sisters Anush and Inga Arshakyan (2009, with Inga also forming part of Genealogy) and Hayko (2007).
Iveta Mukuchyan talks Depi Evratesil in London
Further details have also been released about the show itself, which is already billed as Armenia’s biggest ever national selection. The televised segment of Depi Evratesil is due to begin at some point in September and will take place across four rounds. Hundreds of artists are expected to audition before the six stars, with each judge hoping to pick the best for their team. The judges will then mentor their chosen acts as the show progresses, but only one will be able to guide an act all the way to the Eurovision stage.
Overall, the selection is expected to last for a whopping three months. AMPTV is still accepting applications from Armenian singers or singers of Armenian descent up until 25 August. The application form can be found here.
Aram MP3 interview at Eurovision 2014
Genealogy interview at Eurovision 2015
After three years of internally selected artists and songs, is a national selection the way to go? Is Armenia on the path to success? Let us know in the comments below.
What is that Riva Talking about armenia is a Christian Country i mit Even from armenia and i know that if armenia Sends a good Artist theyll get good results if not Then they wont televotes wont change much for example azerbayjan this year i know they qualified without deserving it but didnt get a good result anyways
Want share my humble op. It’s regular irritating heat about everything related to Esc in that region. Remember their 2009 entry – they couldn’t stay with minor support from televoters in neighbour muslim countries then, still they can’t even nowadays. It just turns into mutual treats or prosecutions in borrowed or absent culture (sic!). You do decent attempts but please don’t tell me which hatred camp I accidently joined since I supported Armenia in 2014 and Azerbaijan in 2015. It won’t make you look more respectable.
As I said diaspora is not enough to win.. there are other countries and juries, but it helps. (In 2003 Turkey won over Belgium due to its diaspora for example). My information came from televoting results and internet: France always give highest points to Armenia, specially without Turkey in the game. Netherlands do the same.. check its voting. Czech rep always vote so high for Armenia. Also Spain, Belgium etc. On the other side. UK or Australia don’t vote for Armenia. And remember you can 20 times.. only diaspora and esc fans may vote that much.. ordinary people only send… Read more »
Marc: ‘Plus Armenian friends: Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Greece or Malta.. thats 8 countries. (And we could also add Cyprus, Moldova or others Balkan countries but whatever. Overall we have 15 countries..’
.. and Mars, Venus, Mercury.. 😀
Seriously, do you really think Azerbaijan is friends with Armenia?))
lol
@Marc Armenia diaspora, as you say: France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Czech Republic.I don’t know from where you have this info, but the countries with the most Armenian population are: Russia,France,United States,Canada,Georgia, Ukraine,Australia. As for this year contest Germany televoting gave 2 points and Austria 0 points to ARM…so if you really stick to the idea of diaspora, where were the diaspora? Belgium, Netherlands? There are maybe armenians, but not so many as you say. If you say that Armenia good results are thanks to their Diaspora, then why wasn’t Armenia always in the top5, including semis and… Read more »
@Jesc fanatic
Hahaha last night I was really tired, I don’t how I read it haha.. now I said it right 🙂
Good you’re able to respect all entries.. you know my opinion 🙂
@Fan If you think that Lovewave reprenting Germany would have been on the radio.. then you have problem. ESC is a popular contest and the truth is Lovewave couldn’t manage to enter in any Itunes chart in ths ESC.. otherwise more than 15 entries charted in at least 3 or 4 itunes countries. (Jamala, Justs, Michal, Zoe etc who had non-radiofriendly songs did it, so theres no excuse for that fail). And Aram mp3 coming from the same country charted in a few countries. Or in 2012 La la love from a very little country called Cyprus became a radio… Read more »
@Marc
Well, thank you for calling me fantastic! 😀
To be honest, I don’t really care if entries get forgotten after the contest. I respect all of them, even those I hate. 🙂
Well done, Armenia! Yerevan 2018!
What are you talking here? Votes of the Diaspora is not enough for the win. And it shows every year. Armenia – is not China with a billion population. Armenian Diaspora is not so huge. But Armenia by their songs and artists lead among many countries. This is one of the only countries that does not use the Swedish songwriters. Good luck, Armenia! We are believe in you!
Reading all these comments, it really pissed me off. I feel that I need to write down some things.Oh and before I write down my thoughts I must specify that I am NOT armenian, so.. Sorry for the long comment, but read it till the end! There are many people who says that Armenia will never win. What’s their theory? that Armenia songs never had been bought or been up on the charts or that the songs flopped and get forgettable after the contest.Well this is Europe fault, because of you all, those who claim that Armenia is an unimportant… Read more »
How did I never realize that was Inga in Genealogy? I’m an idiot. She was the best part of the group.
Armenia deserves to win someday, I hope EBU doesn’t sabotage them
Armenia’s effort is very consistent and recommendable. It will pay off some day eventually
Logan, never mind.., he or she (her other name is Liana or whatever) is probably turk or azer and by that ‘lovely’ comment this person just dragged through the mud Greece and especially Armenia – most hated by those people countries. I’ll not be surprised if this character considers Turkey and especially – Azerbaijan to be the most modern countries.
@Jesc fantastic
My point is.. besides personal taste, I can’t respect a country or entry that only got good places thanks to diaspora and friends.. and then we all see how that songs flopped and get forgettable after the contest.. and thats the case of “Lovewave” for example. On the other side, for example I didn’t like Australia this year either, but Sound of silence did quite well in sales at least.. so It got my respect.. same goes for Heroes (just ok to me) last year, or Calm after the storm in your case 🙂
@Cosima – I don’t know what part of Yerevan you went to, but I’ve been to Yerevan and it’s a stunning city. It’s very laid back, beautiful cafes, incredible architecture and wonderful people. Outside of Yerevan, roads weren’t great, but the people were wonderful and the monasteries were amazing.
Armenia really tries to bring something new every year. I would really want Armenia to win next year. One thing is certain though, Iveta’s performance and song was sooo much better than Jamala’s this year.
i was in Armenia last month for touristic sightseeing,as i observed they are still living in 1990s and very far away from modern world, there is nothing but old ugly buildings everywhere. As an esc fan i wouldn’t wanna go there. all the time i have thought my country greece was poor and old but when i saw Gerevan i thought i am living in heaven.
@Marc
And that’s true, Armenia has a big amount of diaspora.
I personally love “LoveWave” and “Apricot Stone” but anyway. 🙂
@Marc
I’m sorry, did you just call that boring and overrated song a masterpiece? It’s the most overrated Eurovision song ever, along with Turkey 2012. But this is my opinion, yours differs and I can totally understand it and respect it. 🙂
@Jescfanatics
Yes! Armenia was the one who send that masterpiece called “Calm after the storm”… oohhh wait.. that song came from The Netherlands right?.. and guess what.. big success in sales and charts after Esc.. Armenia is not even close xD.
And so funny to read that Armenia has no political influencies when has a big diaspora and friends as Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria or Greece voting every year for them no matter what.
If Armenia sends a great song I would be the first to support it, but atm that didn’t happen.. only “Not alone” is good.
If I am not mistaken, same composer was behind Aram and Iveta. With stronger sustainable vocals (as in Australia or Serbia or Ukraine 2016), it could be a win. Guys probably have no petrol money to shoot for extravaganzas on stage, so solid music material and quality vocals is the focus area. Good luck
There should be less Esc participants while more music industrials, so they’ll be able to maintain well mixed and well known jurors for future years. Just stay with two and bring another two next time.
Calm down everyone. Armenia can win. This country every year are most remembered for Eurovision. Of course, it will be difficult to win. Because Armenia has no political influence as many countries. But. Armenian artists are very bright, energetic and charismatic, I think. Everything will depend on the participant and the selected song. Now is your turn, Armenia! Greece supports you!
Guys, come down! Armenia has no potential to win. Our songs are not successful across Europe. I have never seen any pub or club playing Armenian songs. Everything is so Americanised and Brit-influenced nowadays that no other country will be successful in spreading their songs, even if they win. This contest is a desperate destination for small countries with a hope to compete with Anglosax and Swedish music industry. That is not possible tho. See, some stupid and bland songs from Australia took the contest with storms. The songs had middle or less quality though. Too much buzz behind Armenia… Read more »
@Marc
Hungary and the Netherlands better than Armenia? Ha ha, nice joke.
They try so hard. It’s cute.
Armenia – is one of the strongest countries in the Eurovision! And who says that it is not, he just have not seen all the performances. I’m from France, but I really want to Armenia won in 2017!
Armenia potential to win the whole thing? That must be for their annoying diaspora and friends.. not thanks to sending good songs (Ok.. “Not alone” was great, but thats it).
Strong countries are Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Estonia or Sweden.. not Armenia.
Great effort. Looking forward.
@Michael Maybe she will be a participant
Wow. Armenia really wants to win. It’s a very commendable.
Armenia has a great potential to win the Eurovision Song Contest. And do not forget that Armenia has never won Eurovision. It would be great to visit Yerevan in 2018. But where is Sirusho? I would really like to see her.
Wish other countries could have strong efforts like Armenia did, then our contest will be very competitive and diverse
I am Maltese but as an ESC Fan (hence the name :P) I seriously think that Armenia deserves to win.
Firstly, they deliver, the song is nearly top 10 material, they include parts of their heritage (not just a plastic song), and they know how to do staging. My favourites are 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, with their entry in 2013 being the only song I dislike.
Secondly they have this amazing idea of a nation selection.
Good luck Armenia ;D
Finally! Armenia has always sends to Eurovision a very strong artists. Most memorable for me is Iveta Mukuchyan, Aram mp3, Sirusho, Arshakyan’s sisters. Armenian artists always spread themselves to the full during their performance. Go, Armenia! You need to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2017!