The three semi-finals for Ukraine’s national selection for Eurovision Song Contest are already over and now six lucky contenders are getting ready for Feb. 25 to compete for their chance to represent Ukraine in May before a home audience in Kyiv.
Here’s the Kyiv Post’s guide for Eurovision fans to each of the six singers and bands.
Each finalist was judged by professionals including Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, music producer Kostiantyn Meladze and singer and composer Andriy Danylko (better known as his drag stage persona Verka Serduchka). Feedback from an audience, who voted via text messages and a special app, is also helping find the best of the best. The winner will be announced shortly after the final on Feb. 25, then go on to represent Ukraine in May at the International Exhibition Center.
- Salto Nazad
Ukrainian band Salto Nazad managed to entertain the audience. (Youtube / STB TV channel)
Fun and light-hearted music band Salto Nazad was founded in 2011 and their members have changed a couple of times since then, with only the founder of the band Vaniok Klimenko and lead singer and vocalist Sasha Tab remaining. The name of the band translates as “backflip” and the history behind the name sounds a little painful. Klimenko says he and Tab happened to be at the same party. “Tab suggested I stand on my toes and he uses my back to push himself and do a backflip,” he said. Tab fell over and landed on his head, but soon recovered to laugh it off. The judges praised Salto Nazad and their Ukrainian-language song “O Mamo” (“Oh, mother”) and Danylko even called them the “discovery of the day.”
- Melovin
Melovin makes an impression with his striking appearance and good vocals. (Youtube / STB TV channel)
Melovin (real name Kostiantyn Bocharov) is a 19-year-old Odesan, mostly recognizable by his memorable appearance with a white lens in his left eye and semi-blonde, semi-brunette hairstyle. Bocharov, who doesn’t have a producer, won Ukrainian X-factor back in 2015 and if he manages to win in the national selection final, will become the youngest person to represent Ukraine in Eurovision. His song “Wonder” is a story about a “human being who feels confused by his confusion.” Spain’s Eurovision contestant Manel Navarro, who gave a glimpse of his May performance at one of the Ukrainian semi-finals, named Melovin as his favorite. Jamala also praised the singer saying “Wonder” is “a 100-percent step forward” since her X-factor duet with Melovin.
- O. Torvald
O. Torvald’s performance was a little shocking with the lead singer pretending to be shot. (Youtube / STB TV channel)
O. Torvald wasn’t the biggest hit with the public back in 1996-2005 when they were called “Kruty! Pedali” (“Sping! The Pedals”) and based in Poltava. “We used to gather 10-15 and up to 100 people in our club gigs. In 2016 we carried out the biggest tour in our existence with 22 Ukrainian cities on the list,” O. Torvald’s leader Zhenia Halych proudly said. The song “Time” is “something the band moved towards throughout their existence.” It’s about the fact that one cannot revoke the time, the band explained. Danylko seemed to like the song and said that he would like to see another band representing Ukraine after the not-so-successful Eurovision performance by Greenjolly in 2005.
- Illaria
Red-haired Illaria devilered very powerful vocals with “Thank you for my way.” (Youtube / STB TV channel)
Illaria, born Kateryna Pryshchepa, writes music and lyrics for her own songs. The red-haired singer was born in Kyiv and has Greek roots. Her pseudonym means “that what brings light” and “directly portrays her vision of music.” According to her, her songs can be heard in Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. The song “Thank you for my way”, despite being an English-language song, is very Ukrainian, the singer reckons. Illaria says she considers it her way to show that Ukrainian music is current and cool and that Ukraine has something to teach other nations too. Her choice of the Eurovision song impressively combines soul singing with Ukrainian folk motives, and some powerful opera singing.
- Tayanna
Tayanna is making her dream come true with becoming a successful singer. (Youtube / STB TV channel)
Tayanna, born Tetiana Reshetniak, claims her ex-boyfriend always told her she wasn’t pretty enough to become an accomplished singer. For about six years she worked as a back vocalist for Ukrainian music veterans like Natalia Mohylevska, Tina Karol and Ani Lorak leaving her dreams of solo career behind. “Some people visit psychologists and I just write songs,” Reshetniak said. “I heal myself this way.” “I love you” is a ballad that greatly conveys Reshetniak’s powerful voice. But some judges weren’t that convinced by it, with Danylko claiming the song is ‘too standard’.
- Rozhden
Rozhden is very charming and talented but managed to cause a stir with his concerts in Russia. (Youtube / STB TV channel)
Funk singer Rozhden writes song for himself and other Ukrainian artists. One of his creations, “Saturn,” is about happiness. It was highly praised by the judges with Meladze calling him “one of the most talented” young artists in Ukraine. But the TV audience didn’t rate him so highly, with only 42 percent approving his performance. This could be political: Rozhden gives concerts in Russia, as recently as Feb. 17, drawing criticism from Ukrainian patriots.
