Nikoloz Valerieovich Kocharov (Georgian: ნიკოლოზ ვალერიოვიჩი კოჩაროვი), known as Nika Kocharov (Georgian: ნიკა კოჩაროვი) is a Georgian singer-songwriter, composer, musician and actor who is part of progressive rock band Circus Mircus, who represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[1] He was also the frontman of indie rock band Young Georgian Lolitaz, who represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.[2] He is the son of a Georgian-Armenian musician Valeri Kocharov.[3]
Nika Kocharov ნიკა კოჩაროვი | |
|---|---|
 Kocharov (left) in 2016. | |
| Born | Nikoloz Valerieovich Kocharov June 22, 1980 |
| Other names | Igor Von Lichtenstein |
| Occupations |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Alternative rock, indie rock, progressive rock |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels |
|
| Member of | Circus Mircus |
| Formerly of | Young Georgian Lolitaz Z For Zulu |
Career
edit
Kocharov was born in 1980 in Tbilisi, Georgia. He started his musical career aged 15 when he formed his first band, Nadzvis Khe. Aged 19, he started another band, Nebo CCCR, with Kote Kalandadze. In 2001, he formed Young Georgian Lolitaz. In 2006, he moved to London when he was signed by 4 Real Records.[4] From 2002–present, he has composed the music for three films and one television series, and starred in three films.
In 2016, he represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with Young Georgian Lolitaz with the song Midnight Gold, finishing 20th in the final with 104 points. He was the spokesperson for Georgia in the 2017 contest.[5]
Circus Mircus
editAccording to Wiwibloggs, Kocharov was rumoured to be part of Circus Mircus, who represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[6] Kocharov, along with other members of Young Georgian Lolitaz, have been listed in credits of Circus Mircus songs, and media noticed similarities in looks between Kocharov and Igor von Lichtenstein of Circus Mircus.
Following Eurovision, Kocharov was confirmed as Igor von Lichtenstein, a member of the band.
Personal life
editKocharov is in a relationship with 1TV presenter Lika Evgenidze, and their first child was born in 2024.[7]
Discography
editSingles
edit| Title | Year | Writer(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Trivial Truths" | 2020 | Nika Kocharov | [8] |
| "Friend" (featuring Gogi Dzodzuashvili) |
2023 | Nika Kocharov, Gogi Dzodzuashvili |
[9] |
| "Sirock" (featuring Young Georgian Lolitaz) |
Valeri Kocharov |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Writer(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "River (Nika Kocharov Remix)" (by George Sikharulidze) |
2021 | George Sikharulidze, Nika Kocharov |
[10] |
| "99.99% Happy" (Gogi Dzodzuashvili featuring Nika Kocharov) |
2023 | Gogi Dzodzuashvili, Nika Kocharov |
[11] |
Young Georgian Lolitaz
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| "Lemonjuice" |
|
[12] |
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| "The Lava EP" |
|
[13] |
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Writer(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Midnight Gold" | 2016 | Kote Kalandadze Thomas G:son |
[a] |
| "Dark Device" | 2017 | Young Georgian Lolitaz | [14] |
Filmography
editAs a composer
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Post Punk | Composer | [15] | |
| 2009 | Tbilisuri Love Story | Composer | ||
| 2015-2017 | Mzareulebi | Composer | ||
| 2019 | The Criminal Man | Composer |
As an actor
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Listen to Chopin | Yellow Duck singer | [15] | |
| 2013 | Ra Mokhda Kievshi | Tombstone maker | ||
| 2022 | In Bax | The Rock N Rolla Friend |
Awards
edit| Year | Award/Festival | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Minsk International Film Festival (Listapad) | Best Sound/Score | The Criminal Man | Won | [16] |
Notes
edit- ^ "Midnight Gold" was removed from streaming services.
References
edit- ^ #ამშაბათკვირას 4 ნოემბერს სირკუს მირკუსის კონცერტი გაიმართება (in Georgian), retrieved 2022-11-08
- ^ Mamsikashvili, Rezo (15 December 2015). "Georgia: Nika Kocharov & Young Georgia Lolitaz for Eurovision 2016". Wiwbloggs. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "74 წლის ასაკში ქართველი როკ მომღერალი ვალერი კოჩაროვი გარდაიცვალა". tabula.ge (in Georgian). 3 May 2022.
- ^ "Nika Kocharov - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Knoops, Roy (27 April 2017). "Georgia: Nika Kocharov to be the Georgian Spokesperson for Eurovision 2017". esctoday. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ ten Veen, Renske (15 November 2021). "LIST: 8 clues the Young Georgian Lolitaz could be behind Circus Mircus". Wiwbloggs. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ ""ბედნიერება" - ლიკა ევგენიძე ოჯახურ კადრებს გვიზიარებს". Marao.Ge (in Georgian). 22 October 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ Kocharov, Nika Z (5 May 2020). "Trivial Truths – Single by Nika Z Kocharov". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Kocharov, Nika (21 February 2023). "Friend (feat. Gogi Dzodzuashvili) – Single by Nika Kocharov". Apple Music. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Sikharulidze, George (23 July 2021). "River (Nika Kocharov Remix) – Single by George Sikharulidze". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Dzodzuashvili, Gogi (21 February 2023). "99.99% Happy (feat. Nika Kocharov) – Single by Gogi Dzodzuashvili". Apple Music. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Georgian Lolitaz, Young (28 December 2009). "Lemonjuice – Album by Young Georgian Lolitaz". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Georgian Lolitaz, Young (7 June 2010). "The Lava EP – EP by Young Georgian Lolitaz". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Georgian Lolitaz, Young (22 February 2017). "Dark Devices – Single by Young Georgian Lolitaz". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Nika Kocharov". IMDb. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Nika Kocharov - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 27 May 2022.