sevak qami music video armenia eurovision 2018

Back in February he stormed to victory at Depi Evratesil — Armenia’s national selection for Eurovision — with his authentic, Armenian-language ballad “Qami” (Wind).

And now Sevak Khanaghyan blows into our consciousness once more with the song’s official music video.

Scroll down for music video

Fans of the entry’s national final staging will be well pleased, as the clip maintains many key elements. Once again, the scene is dark and brooding.

Our hero is trapped between two gigantic parallel walls. However, midway through the video, a gentle nudge from the crooner is enough for them to move apart.

He is magically transported to an underwater world where he encounters a mysterious maiden, last seen on his Depi Evratesil LED screen.

But her presence is only fleeting, and the three-minute film ends with Sevak stranded on a rocky outcrop surrounded by water. A desolate looking mountain range lies on the horizon.

In addition, we also get to hear the final version of “Qami”. It remains largely unchanged. The production is tighter, resulting in a slicker end-product.

Sevak Khanagyan “Qami” Official Music Video

The video is directed by Arthur Manukyan, a man who is no stranger to Eurovision. His previous work includes clips for Betty’s “People Of The Sun” (JESC 2014), Mika’s “Love” (JESC 2015) and Artsvik’s “Fly With Me” (Eurovision 2017).

Speaking in the official press release, the director explains his vision.

When I first heard the song I instantly thought that the music video should reflect Sevak’s inner world – his emotions and feelings.

There aren’t any excessive elements in the video – it is minimalistic, yet very expressive. I wanted to keep it simple and concentrate the attention on Sevak and his song.

And it seems like the main man is happy with the results. Sevak says:

This is my first cooperation with the Public TV Company of Armenia and I must say I really enjoyed creating this music video. We had an amazing professional team that worked effortlessly to bring our vision to life.

Arthur is an amazing director: he was able to show my inner world to the audience through the lens of the camera. I was very honest in this music video, as I am on stage, and I tried to express and share my feelings with the audience. I hope that my fans and viewers all around the world will experience this emotional journey with me”

The team behind the music video also included DOP Suren Tadevosyan, stylist Aram Nikolyan and lighting designer Vahagn Miqayelyan.

What do you think of the “Qami” music video? Does this storm blow you away? Let us know in the comments below.

READ MORE ARMENIA EUROVISION 2018 NEWS.

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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Great song! Hope he qualifies!

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Where is resemblance between ”shouty ballads” and this song, I don’t see it? This is very beautiful ballad, powerful voice, I can see points from juries and probably good performance, Armenia usually have very good performances.

Giannis
Giannis
6 years ago

I think that it’ll get to the final over much better entries in that semifinal and this thought just makes me hate this song. Perhaps the diaspora votes won’t be enough?? I really hope so, cuz I have so many favorites in the first semifinal. 🙁

Max
Max
6 years ago

I like it, but I still feel like something’s missing here, idk

Ferr
Ferr
6 years ago

Albania 2017 was dated but this is more modern production wise.
This will stand out in the first semi which contains not so many ballads.

GiorgosGRE
GiorgosGRE
6 years ago

This is the weakest Armenian ESC entry after “Boom Boom” disaster of 2011. It reminds me of Albania 2017 which I didn’t like too.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  GiorgosGRE

You forgot the 2013 disaster. Also, in contrast to the Boom Boom lady, Sevak can sing – in fact I think he’s the strongest vocalist Armenia has sent after Inga and Anush whom I miss very very much.

EPm
EPm
6 years ago

I know there’s more words but when he’s singing the song it sounds like it was written by someone who only knows one word in Armenian and the lyrics end up to me sounding (especially near the end) like QamiqamiqamiqamiqamiiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIqaaaamiiqamiqami… idk whomst tf was voting out in Armenia but if you think about how good like literally every Armenian entry ever has been, this is unfortunate

Avat
Avat
6 years ago

Reading comments and get surprised with the level of some people. I can understand trolling, personal taste but calling someone ugly is really cheap.
Taking into account short dates – video is really well done. Yes semi 1 is very and everything may happen.
I have no doubt that Sevak gonna deliver this song live as needed. He has great stage charisma and presence. With good staging i think he may make some surprises. Hopefully staging will be on the same level it was in 2016 and 2017.

JEFFERSON LAMAS
JEFFERSON LAMAS
6 years ago

These Eurofans never learn: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Greece, Russia and Romania only do not qualify if they send something very bad (GREECE 2016), badly sung (ARMENIA 2011 – and the televote was going to pass). Greece 2017 went to the final because it was nice, these countries with more or less material goes to the final, others do not. On Sevak, who is already in the final, he only has a zebra that does not have good music, but he has more chances than Croatia, Switzerland, Macedonia, Albania and others.

Ferr
Ferr
6 years ago

Greece 2017 went through because of Cyprus’ votes! Without Cyprus, Greece wouldn’t have qualified.

Bhhh
Bhhh
6 years ago

I do really not understand why people are underrating this ?
Such a strong voice and the melody is really overwhelming. I mean this will qualify and actually it’s a dark horse

Anita
Anita
6 years ago

I do miss Artsvik. Best of luck to Armenia this year – but to be honest I hope it won’t qualify because there are so many good and interesting songs in SF1 that needs to qualify – we are getting enough mediocre ones from SF2 into the Final.

Alvaricomg
Alvaricomg
6 years ago

the song is not bad, and i see that he puts a lot of emotions, but somehow I Don´t really connect with it, I Don´t really know why.

also, stop saying he is ugly, you may not be attracted to him but that doesn´t make him ugly (I personally find him astonishingly handsome), You have no right to insult him lol, the funny thing is that all of those who are insulting him are actually saying that Netta “slaaayyys and is a queeeeen yassss honeeeeey”, please stop with the hypocrisy!

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  Alvaricomg

It’s all double standard in a lot of these comments Alvaricomg. It is a SONG contest after all, not a Beauty Pageant. He is very handsome though! that beard! Wow

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

He’s going straight to the final.They didn’t struggle with “Fly with Me”, they won’t again with “Qami”, which is a far superior song.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

Armenia will qualify. Armenian entries are never songs, they are performances. I never rate an Armenian entry until I see it on stage.

Personally I like the song this year. Kudos to Armenia for changing it up a little, and rather sending a beautiful woman with some sort of ethnic-art performance they have sent a man (I find him quite handsome) singing in their native language.
This will qualify people, they’ve qualified with worse and then we do still have to see the “performance” in may.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

This might be a very positive year for a lot of struggling countries to see how some countries that are considered automatic/ definite qualifiers fail to to reach the final. It would be encouraging and just to see that happen.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

(Nevertheless, many thanks to Armenia for sparing us that awful, talentless clown they had in their NF)

Moran
Moran
6 years ago

This song is a cheap copy of successful Balkan ballads.Nothing original and he is not attractive at all

SARA
SARA
6 years ago
Reply to  Moran

idiot

Jessica M
Jessica M
6 years ago

Still better and more original than Azerbaijan

Gigan
Gigan
6 years ago

This beautiful, but very dramatic song is not for Eurovision content…

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

It’s not a a masterpiece but it’s not a bad song either. Not my personal favourite but think it can reach top 10.

AG
AG
6 years ago

This is so good, the song, the video, everything.

ron
ron
6 years ago

I usually like this kind of ballads. But this one does absolutely nothing to me. In fact Lithuanian, Irish ballads are much better. Maybe it’s the language?? I don’t know, but I it won’t do well in the first semifinal for sure.

Lorenzo
Lorenzo
6 years ago

This is what I call quality. People are being jelaous because it’s not generic pop which will be good in bookies. Armenia, Italy, Greece have the most beautiful songs this year, which has message, quality, and they actually CAN SING ))) Haters, get a life!!!

Bhhh
Bhhh
6 years ago
Reply to  Lorenzo

Totally agree

Siru
Siru
6 years ago
Reply to  Lorenzo

The best comment actually )))

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Great song and wonderful singer….has been and remains in my top 10! Appreciate it even more that it’s sung in Armenian. I’m sure the juries will appreciate this! 😀

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

It just doesn’t connect with me. I’m from Armenia and I can tell that whenever we go for a democratic selection, it ends up with a disaster.

Many people in Armenia think that it’s the Voice, not a song contest. They will be punished soon.

Eurovision requires radio-friendly hits. We had two, but both got eliminated because the voters have no idea about the modern trends at Eurovision.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Yet in both 2016 and 2017, quality songs with superb singers triumphed those so called radio-friendly songs and won the contest. Eurovision is highly unpredictable these days. If he can deliver the song, he will do very well.

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Totally agree with you, Ron 🙂

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

I still think that 2016 was political. Otherwise, Lazarev would easily have taken the trophy. 2017 was full of pop, so Portugal stood out not necessarily for having the best song. Also, people felt positive to support Portugal after so many of struggle to win. The PR also helped. However, knowing the ‘winner’s effect’ we must have predicted that this type of song won’t stand out anymore. We should have gone the other way around and send a radio-friendly song. Our public is simply unaware of this contest and it’s out Public TV’s fault. They should have open discussions beforehand,… Read more »

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

I literally have no idea what you’re talking about but to summarize what you said pretty much goes – everyone is wrong because I didn’t agree with their decision and the results. Just because you didn’t like the winning entry in 2016 or in Armenia, you shouldn’t look for scapegoats. The fact is both international jury – who have no connection to Sevak chose him as a winner and the Armenian public by a massive margin elected him. So, honestly, at this point, you going around trying to find an excuse as to why your favorites didn’t win is naive.… Read more »

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Stop being so self-defensive. You always try to hype up Armenian entries. Let’s be honest…it’s just bad. If you haven’t got the meaning of my previous message, go and read it again. Be open to criticism. Your responses are getting annoying, man.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

I’m not being defensive at all. You wrote a whole summary about some TV program and how they didn’t mention the losers of the contest and I have no idea about that. I’m sorry if it came across as rude, I do better when I use emojis and I’m fully caffeinated. But if I’m completely honest with you, I actually, genuinely like Sevak’s song. In fact I like it far more than the oriental effort of last year. I rank this as my 6th favorite Armenia entry after: 2016, 2009, 2008, 2014 and 2010. But, one thing I agree with… Read more »

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

It’s only a “winner’s effect” if Armenia had gone on to do an internal selection and decide to replicate a previous winner’s efforts, which in this case it isn’t.

Besides, many of the entries in this year’s edition are “radio-friendly”, with a bigger ratio of “bops” to ballads and only about 13 countries out of 43 are singing in languages other than English, which still makes the latter the dominant language in the contest.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Once this song is over, I can’t remember anything about it… a non-qualifier indeed.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Out of curiosity…did you remember the Portuguese song once it was over? Because, I for one, have heard it at least 10 times and can’t remember a single thing, but that didn’t stop the song from winning the contest. So, I don’t think you not remembering the song is a proper assessment of whether it will qualify or not.

Truth
Truth
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Why are you being so pro-Armenia;everytime somebody criticizes Armenia’s song,you try to proof them that they are wrong?Even on the other articles;this is is just what people think and I think you have to respect their ideas.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Truth

Thank you for expressing your opinion. The same way you have the right to express yours, I have the right to express mine and as part of expressing your opinion, you should also exercise your ability to challenge other peoples’ opinions and views. You’re more than welcomed to challenged the view I expressed instead of attacking me personally – which by the way, in law we call a logical fallacy.

Rory
Rory
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Ron, don’t do basics with some people. They don’t have that. 😛

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Are you comparing Amar pelos dois to this wack cover of Bote? Serving next level delusion.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

@Polegend Godgarina – nope. Not comparing at all. But, i do remember last year, in this exact blog people were complaining about the Portuguese entry being forgettable and dull. In your comment you said “can’t remember the song/forgettable song -> no final” what I said was, many people felt the same way about last year’s entry, yet it won the contest. So, the fact that you can’t remember the song doesn’t mean it’s not going to qualify or win for that matter.

José
José
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

@Ron Don’t you ever dare to compare a masterpiece like “Amar pelos dois” to this cliché eurovision ballad!! -_-

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Qami, Qami, Qami, Qami…. That’s what I remember – it’s ok but I hope it won’t qualify and leave other really good or more interesting songs behind. SF1 is so important to make the right choise if you have the privilage to vote. I can’t – have to vote in SF2. A lot of mediocre songs will qualify in SF2 so we need the interesting ones from SF1 in the Final.

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  Anita

choice

Anya
Anya
6 years ago

By the way on youtube @polegend writes positive comments about armenian songs each year, but when it comes to wiwibloggs… hmmmm

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Anya

There are no “like” buttons on this blog…maybe that’s why?

Anya
Anya
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Who knows axper jan, who knows? 😛

Music is art+vibs
Music is art+vibs
6 years ago

I like this song quite a lot! Specially because it’s personal, real material such as Portugal, Spain and Slovenia, not a manufactured product as si many entries. It’s also in Armenian, struggling to keep their identity and not falling to the UStrends. Hard work in first SF but I hope people take into account these features before voting.

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago

Slovenia?!

OohHoney
OohHoney
6 years ago
Reply to  Lourdes

Because Spain’s song isn’t manufactured, just like the “love” these two have isn’t manufactured HA!

Music is art+vibs
Music is art+vibs
6 years ago
Reply to  OohHoney

Get informed before talking. The Spanish entry was composed when the author saw the development of their story on the TV music school. He, absolutely unknown as a composer, got inspired by them. So, nothing more personal.

LoveWave
LoveWave
6 years ago

Everyone here is so jealous, because they understand that Sevak is not playing around, he is strong singer with a lot of power.

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago
Reply to  LoveWave

Sure, Jan.

spyros
spyros
6 years ago

artsvik’s director? i guess there arent any melodifestivalen costumes for males..

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  spyros

The director is not necessarily the person in charge of the costumes. That would be the designer’s job

peach
peach
6 years ago

He’s so hot with that dark hair and those strong ethnic features. Why can’t my fake-masc boyfriend look more like him? And by the way, what’s with the hate for Armenia and Albania? They like this dark romantic stuff and it’s actually kinda hot! I wish someone would sing all these melancholic songs about me. I’m lucky if my guy sings about my behind.. never mind the wind! 😀

Alvaricomg
Alvaricomg
6 years ago
Reply to  peach

hahaha what do you mean by “fake-masc” dude?

Rory
Rory
6 years ago
Reply to  Alvaricomg

He was reffering to the imagined bf of his.

peach
peach
6 years ago
Reply to  Alvaricomg

Hahahaha I meant he tries to look straight by working out and leaving a beard, but still can’t look manly enough like Sevak. Sevak is really masculine, even for a straight guy. It’s the hottest thing ever!

(((Pikachu)))
(((Pikachu)))
6 years ago

Azerbaydjan is better.

This is Love
This is Love
6 years ago
Reply to  (((Pikachu)))

Demy is back and she want back her cheap song from Aisel!

(((Pikka!)))
(((Pikka!)))
6 years ago
Reply to  This is Love

Even ‘This is Love’ is better than Sevak’s song.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  (((Pikka!)))

Although Demy couldn’t hit that one note live.

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago
Reply to  (((Pikachu)))

I wouldn’t say “X My Heart” is better than “Qami”. I would say “Qami” is much original and better musically but I actually enjoy “X My Heart” much more.

oggy
oggy
6 years ago
Reply to  (((Pikachu)))

We want to National/Native language song. Not Cheap English song again.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  oggy

If we got 43 songs like that ratings would plummet. Let us have the bops along with that.

Amber
Amber
6 years ago

Even though most of the comments are negative regarding this entry, but I’m sure it will have its own fans, too. A lot of people like this kind of ballads I think. But I don’t see it doing well in the contest. The first semifinal is too strong.

Enchanted Lobster
Enchanted Lobster
6 years ago

Armenia should be proud. The song is great and the performer delivers.

Haters are just being jealous. Or… maybe they like cheao music with chicken sounds.

Bhhh
Bhhh
6 years ago

They really do

Lewis S
Lewis S
6 years ago

The video still doesn’t make the song any better. I think this will struggle with staging it really requires LEDs. I know they can bring them to stage but think it would be looked down on.

Riga Margot
Riga Margot
6 years ago

This revamp is just a total disaster! What are you doing Armenia?! First you throw away Tamar (who would’ve easily gotten top 5 this year) in the semis and then you pick this over Asmik in the final? I prefer Ireland and Iceland to this. I hope this get’s last in the semi, it deserves it. Armenia needs to rework their national selection because as it is now: it’s just a disaster.

Eva Rivas
Eva Rivas
6 years ago
Reply to  Riga Margot

Tamar can’t sing live the same applies to Asmik because their live perfromances were bad. Sevak did well, and deservedly so.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Riga Margot

If Tamar couldn’t finish top 5 in a relatively weak semi-final, how do you think she was going to deliver a top 5 finish in Lisbon?

fan
fan
6 years ago

I love this song …one of the best in my opinion!

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Is this the best Armenia could do? No, but it’s miles better than many other entries and it’s commendable that Armenia has decided to send a song entirely in Armenian. I have full faith in Armenian Broadcaster that they will do a fantastic staging – in the past 2 years, the Armenian songs came alive after the staging was revealed. This will be no exception.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Obviously!! It’s one of the worst Armenian entries ever.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

I would say after 2017, 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2010 this is Armenia’s best entry or worst entry depending on how you want to view it.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Also not 2017, but 2016. I didn’t like 2017.

A Disappointment
A Disappointment
6 years ago

I just cannot understand the hype behind this song! Sure, it’s an Armenian, but so what? It sounds just like any Balkan ballad Albania has sent for years. People always complain with those that it sounds like the women are just screaming, but Sevak doesn’t get the same criticism. Two words to that: Double. Standard. I’m sorry, Armenia is almost always in my top 10, but this year I hope they don’t qualify. This is so lackluster and the background vocals sound more interesting than the main melody

Reality is calling
Reality is calling
6 years ago

There is no hype about this song, man. Calm down lel.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

No one ever speaks about it, what hype are you talking about?

A Disappointment
A Disappointment
6 years ago

By “hype” I mean that people think this deserves any more than bottom 5. Even calling this middling or “not bad” is an overstatement. Sorry, but I absolutely *hate* this song

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Bottom 5 in the semi you mean?

Melovin is everything
Melovin is everything
6 years ago

Many people here like to compare Armenian and Azerbaijani entries every year. And this is one of the few years when Armenian entry is so much stronger than Azerbaijani. The singer tells his story and you automatically move to another world. I love it! And this song has a soul. But, above all, I’m pleased to finally hear the song entirely in Armenian language at Eurovision.

Good luck from Ukraine, Sevak!

AndreyRU
AndreyRU
6 years ago

Caucasian countries are weak this year. But if we compare Azerbaijan and Armenia, then Azerbaijan’s song is at least catchy, you can sing along some parts of the song, but still it’s pretty generic. And Armenia is like other Eurovision ballads, screaming shouting, but at the end it feels artificial. I think neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan deserve the finals this year.

Jon Olalala Sand
Jon Olalala Sand
6 years ago
Reply to  AndreyRU

After Dihaj’s song I thought all the Caucasian countries would be encouraged to come back with modern entries. But in opposite they all came up with dated, old-fashioned stuff this year.

James
James
6 years ago

What’s modern will be dated in a few years time.

Lourdesl
Lourdesl
6 years ago

First thing I thought: Albania 2017! And I see that others have mentioned it too. Both songs are really good and building for like 2 min and then there’s a high note for the rest of the song that goes nowhere and it kinda turns me off. Let’s see if Armenia will have the same fate as Albania last year!

Hillary24
Hillary24
6 years ago

One of better songs in 1st semifinal and it means a lot because 1st semi doesn’t have a lot of good songs.

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago
Reply to  Hillary24

Are you serious? The first semi is definitely stronger!

JadeICE
JadeICE
6 years ago

It’s like Lindita’s “World” as someone else already mentioned. We had such power ballads in Eurovision many times before. But they’ll probably qualify because the diaspora. That’s so unfair though.

Johnny
Johnny
6 years ago

These comments from below are so hysterical. Give a sedative to these people lol.

zakazuka
zakazuka
6 years ago

I have heard that this music video was made in 2 days , lol. This is great.
The singer has powerful voice , he will slay in semi for sure . And I think it will grow for people who disliked the song in the first time.
Actually , Aram MP3 Not Alone’s karma works. I remember when everyone hated Aram’s song first time. But then = 4th place in the final.

Comeee
Comeee
6 years ago
Reply to  zakazuka

I also like Qami, but comments like yours really bug me. Not alone karma? Aram’s song was hated? Stop using those stupid arguments when everyone knows that Not alone was the contender since its freaking release

Gudrun
Gudrun
6 years ago

This song is like male version of Albania 2017. Typical shouty eurovision ballad. There’s no way he’s getting that qualification.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Gudrun

Did Sevak shout during the entire three minutes? He started belting out as he reached the last third of the song.

David
David
6 years ago

I will be so mad if he makes it to the final over songs like from Lithuania, Austria, Cyprus, Macedonia etc etc. ffs

allexo
allexo
6 years ago

Armenia is not qualifying this year, who agrees with me?

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago
Reply to  allexo

Dream 🙂 There can be miracles when you believe!

Ripmusic
Ripmusic
6 years ago
Reply to  allexo

There is over 10 better entries in the same semi. But it will qualify, because it’s Armenia…it makes me sad..

Raoul
Raoul
6 years ago

There’s something about the singer which is off-putting. I don’t like him. The song isn’t bad, I like the slow parts, but the ending kinda messed everything up IMO.

Axel
Axel
6 years ago

I didn’t like the previous version and now they made it even worse. The ending is too messy now. They seriously dont deserve the finals this year, there are so many good songs in the 1st SF. That would be unfair. :/

ImpressiveInstants
6 years ago

I think this is GOOD. I don´t understand the complaints.

dabamba
dabamba
6 years ago

I don’t care about the video but What did they do to this song? The original was powerful and moving, this revamp isn’t reaching me. I’m disappointed 🙁 It’s really like a wind – gone with the warm memories. Please go back to the original version.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  dabamba

They only removed the piano intro and a rockier element was added in the last third but nothing much else changed. Whatever revamp it underwent, it was only minimal.

dabamba
dabamba
6 years ago
Reply to  James

Can’t tell about that, not so good at picking this kind of differences. I just know i get different feeling listening this and the original one. So there’s something. Though agree some moments it felt as good as the orginal but not so good, powerful anymore as a whole song. The original song and Depi Evratesil live were matching each other quite well but this revamp isn’t somehow.