Following Georgia’s disappointing finish in 2012, when Anri Jokhadze’s “I’m a Joker” failed to break through the Semifinals for the first time in the nation’s Eurovision history, national broadcaster GPB decided to change tactics in 2013. Rather than holding a national final, singers Sophie Gelovani and Nodi Tatishvili were selected internally and given a song by Eurovision veteran Thomas G:son. “Waterfall” may have brought Georgia back into the finals, but only by the skin of their teeth, and coming in 15th place overall.
Maybe it was time for another change of tactics.
GPB has decided to keep their system of internal selection, but 2014 will see them tap into a completely different genre. Rather than reaching for a classic ballad like “Waterfall” last year, Georgia will send ethno-jazz-fusion artists The Shin to Copenhagen, with jazz singer Mariko Ebralidze providing vocals.
The Shin (not to be confused with the Albuquerque-based indie outfit The Shins) formed in 1998, and have released seven albums since then. Even though the group is based in Germany, they have found success in their homeland with their blend of traditional Caucasian motifs and modern jazz techniques. Here’s a recent sample of their live work:
Mariko Ebralidze has been active in the Georgian musical scene since her graduation from music school, but she’s found her biggest success as the featured singer in the Tbilisi Orchestra Big Band. Here she is, wailing away on the classic “Minnie the Moocher”:
The song will be recorded in Germany this month, but no date has been provided for the reveal of the entry as of yet. I’ll be sure to keep you posted!
