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Circus Mircus
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Circus Mircus (Georgian: ცირკუს მირკუსი) are a Georgian progressive rock band. The band mostly plays experimental music, mixing numerous genres, each representing a life experience and the "inner world" of each member.[1] They represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song "Lock Me In", placing 18th in the second semi-final, failing to qualify for the final.[2]
Key Information
Circus Mircus consists of four members, who use pseudonyms.[3] Shota Darakhvelidze plays Ludwig Ramírez (bassist), Nika Kocharov plays Igor Von Lichtenstein (vocalist, guitarist), Sandro Sulakvelidze plays Bavonc Gevorkyan (drummer), and Archil Sulakvelidze plays Iago Waitman (vocalist and keyboardist).[4][5]
History
[edit]The band was supposedly formed at the end of 2020 in Tbilisi, when three local circus academy dropouts became friends and left the academy to start their own band. According to a member of the band, the three "weren't good enough, [we were] probably the worst in the crew, [and] that's why we became friends."[2]
Allegedly, the fourth member was added when they "picked [him] up from the street and promoted [him] to bass player."[6] While the names of the group's members have since been revealed, playing with identity is significant to Circus Mircus' group persona. They state, "identities are so old fashioned and we don't care about faces, as you can always be whatever you want to be, as long as you work hard."[6]
On 14 November 2021, it was announced that the group had been internally chosen by Georgian Public Broadcasting to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[2] Their competing song "Lock Me In" was released on 9 March 2022.[7] They performed 5th in the second semi final, and came 18th (last) with 22 points; 13 from the professional juries and 9 from the televote, failing to qualify for the grand final.
Their songs "Weather Support", "23:34", and "Rocha" were nominated for an Electronauts Award in the category of "Best Music Video".[8]
2022-present: Post Eurovision and debut album
[edit]Following Eurovision, the band released five singles between August 2022 and March 2023, and also dropped the use of their pseudonyms in favour of their real names. They then went on to headline the 2023 edition of Tbilisi Open Air in June 2023.[9]
Following a several month hiatus of releasing music, the band released the single Up is Down on 10 November 2023, the first single from their debut album: Furore/Fiasco'. 4 days later, they released the second single from the album: ამერიკის ხმა (Voice of America), the band’s debut song in their native Georgian. In an interview with Billboard Georgia released on the same day, Kocharov stated that for the recording process of the album, the band spent two weeks together in a house in Kotoraantkari, Mtskheta, and "cut off all contact from the outside world" to write the album in this period. For many music videos for the album, the band asked friends individually to create a video about them. The release date for the album was also revealed as 20 November 2023.[10]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Furore/Fiasco |
|
Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Circus Mircus |
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "The Ode to the Bishkek Stone" | 2020 | Non-album singles |
| "Semi-Pro" | 2021 | |
| "Better Late" | ||
| "Weather Support" | ||
| "Rocha" | ||
| "23:34" | ||
| "Musicien" | ||
| "Lock Me In" | 2022 | |
| "Love Letters" | ||
| "Soul Pop" | ||
| "Realizo" (featuring Blolbrst & Tato Rusia) | ||
| "Lizard in a Fish Tank" (featuring Qaji Todia) | ||
| "Pin-Drop Mind" | 2023 | |
| "Up is Down" | Furore/Fiasco | |
| "ამერიპის ხმა (Voice of America)" |
References
[edit]- ^ Mamsikashvili, Rezo (14 November 2021). "Georgia: Circus Mircus will represent Georgia at Eurovision 2022". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Georgia's Circus Mircus take their show to Turin 🇬🇪". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 14 November 2021. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ ten Veen, Renske (15 November 2021). "LIST: 8 clues the Young Georgian Lolitaz could be behind Circus Mircus". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Turin 2022 / Participants – Circus Mircus". Eurovision.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ #ამშაბათკვირას 4 ნოემბერს სირკუს მირკუსის კონცერტი გაიმართება (in Georgian), 30 October 2022, archived from the original on 14 November 2022, retrieved 8 November 2022
- ^ a b Wilson, Katie L. (14 May 2022). "Eurovision's wackiest acts in the final - and those who didn't make it through". Mirror. Reach PLC. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Georgia: Circus Mircus release their Eurovision 2022 song: "Lock Me In"". Eurovisionworld. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Gogokhia, Koka (6 December 2021). "Circus Mircus - Electronauts XII Awards". Stockton Records. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Tbilisi Open Air 2023". Musical Festival Wizard. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Circus Mircus-ის სადებიუტო ალბომი Furrore/Fiasco". Billboard Georgia (in Georgian). 14 November 2023. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Circus Mircus at Wikimedia Commons
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
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Circus Mircus
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
History
2020–2021: Formation and early activity
Circus Mircus was formed in late 2020 in Tbilisi, Georgia, by three dropouts from a local circus academy who bonded over their shared dissatisfaction with the program and chose to channel their energies into music instead.[1] The group's origins stemmed from this unlikely camaraderie among individuals who felt out of place in the structured world of circus arts, leading them to experiment with sound as a more liberating creative outlet. The initial lineup operated as a trio under pseudonyms, with Bavonc Gevorkyan handling drums and vocals, Igor Von Lichtenstein managing vocals, guitar, and keys, and Damocles Stavriadis on bass and vocals; the band later expanded to include a fourth member. From the outset, they embraced an irreverent identity, self-describing as "the worst in the circus crew" while framing their endeavor as a "movement that brings together the absurd and the profound." This ethos underscored their rejection of conventional boundaries, blending personal introspection with whimsical elements in their early creative process.[1] On December 5, 2020, Circus Mircus released their self-titled EP via Bandcamp, marking their debut as an independent act.[7] The four-track collection—"Introduction," "White Boy Funk," "Nobody," and "Plastique Bijou"—showcased experimental indie sounds, drawing on eclectic influences to create a raw, genre-defying aesthetic that captured their transitional phase from circus misfits to musicians.[7] These songs, self-produced and distributed digitally, highlighted the trio's focus on atmospheric textures and unconventional rhythms, laying the groundwork for their evolving style. In 2021, the band ventured further with the release of their first single, "Weather Support," on March 10, which broadened their reach beyond Bandcamp to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.[8] This track, with its introspective lyrics and layered instrumentation, helped cultivate local buzz within Georgia's alternative music scene, attracting attention from underground listeners and setting the stage for wider recognition.[9] The single's distribution marked a pivotal step in professionalizing their output, emphasizing themes of resilience amid uncertainty that resonated with their formative experiences.[10]2022: Eurovision Song Contest participation
In November 2021, the Georgian public broadcaster GPB internally selected the band Circus Mircus to represent Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with their original song "Lock Me In."[11] The selection marked the band's transition from local underground scenes to international competition, emphasizing their experimental approach.[12] The song "Lock Me In" debuted on March 9, 2022, blending rock with electronic elements to create a dynamic soundscape.[13] Its themes critique escapism and mental confinement, drawing from the repetitive "lock me" lyrics to explore personal and societal restrictions, including echoes of pandemic-era isolation.[14] In anticipation of the contest, Circus Mircus released early singles such as "23:34" and "Musicien," which showcased their genre-mixing style and built momentum for the Eurovision entry.[15][16] For the live performance, the band employed masks to preserve their anonymity, aligning with their manifesto of mystery and collective identity.[17] The staging, directed by Emilia Sandquist, incorporated orchestral elements through collaborations like the version featuring Zagareli Strings and Nikoloz Rachveli, adding layered strings to the electronic-rock fusion.[3][18] On May 12, 2022, Circus Mircus performed in the second semi-final, finishing 18th with 22 points and failing to qualify for the grand final.[3] The Eurovision participation significantly boosted the band's visibility, sparking media speculation about member identities, including rumored connections to the 2016 Georgian entrants Young Georgian Lolitaz.[19] This exposure contributed to the group dropping their anonymity in November 2022, revealing the full identities of all four members: Shota Darakhvelidze (Damocles Stavriadis), Nika Kocharov (Igor Von Lichtenstein), Sandro Sulakvelidze (Bavonc Gevorkyan), and Archil Sulakvelidze (Iago Waitman). In the immediate aftermath, they released follow-up singles like "Soul Pop" in 2022, capitalizing on the newfound international attention to expand their discography.2023–present: Debut album and recent developments
In late 2023, Circus Mircus released their debut studio album, Furore/Fiasco, on November 20 via the independent label Stockton Records.[5] The 11-track project was produced by Tornike Gvelesiani and features a blend of experimental and progressive elements, with representative songs including "Up Is Down," "საქართველო (Sakartvelo)," "Before Me," "Liana," "Domestique," "Now," and "BNE."[20][21] Leading up to and coinciding with the album's launch, the band issued several singles, including "Pin-Drop Mind" on March 21, "ამერიკის ხმა (Voice of America)"—their first song in the Georgian language—on November 14, "Up Is Down" on November 12, and "საქართველო (Sakartvelo)" on November 19.[22] Music videos accompanied key tracks like "Up Is Down" and "Domestique," highlighting the band's visual storytelling approach.[23] Earlier 2023 promotions also spotlighted prior singles such as "Lizard In A Fish Tank" featuring Qaji Todia and "Realizo" featuring Blolbrst and Tato Rusia, both originally from 2022 but integrated into the album rollout to build momentum. These releases marked a shift toward more mature, genre-blending material following their Eurovision exposure. In 2024, Circus Mircus performed live at major events, including a headline slot on the main stage at Tbilisi Open Air on June 22, where they delivered high-energy sets drawing from their catalog.[24] The band has maintained an independent trajectory, focusing on festival appearances and selective single outputs to evolve as a key figure in Georgian alternative music.Members
Current members
Circus Mircus currently consists of four members, all of whom adopted pseudonyms during the band's early years to maintain anonymity and embody their circus-themed persona. This approach allowed the group to focus on their experimental sound without personal identities overshadowing the collective movement, as described in their initial manifesto. The full real names were revealed in interviews following their 2022 Eurovision participation, highlighting the members' shared background as dropouts from a local circus academy in Tbilisi, which infuses their performances with acrobatic energy and thematic flair.[25][26] Shota Darakhvelidze performs as Ludwig Ramírez, handling bass and backing vocals. A Georgian musician with prior experience in the local underground scene, including stints in metal and rock bands, Darakhvelidze brings a solid rhythmic foundation shaped by his circus training's emphasis on precision and timing.[27] Nika Kocharov serves as Igor Von Lichtenstein on lead vocals, guitar, and keyboards. Previously the frontman of Young Georgian Lolitaz, who represented Georgia at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with a punk-infused style, Kocharov contributes raw, rebellious energy drawn from his earlier work and the chaotic improvisation of circus acts.[28] Sandro Sulakvelidze takes the role of Bavonc Gevorkyan on drums and vocals. He drives the band's rhythmic experimentation, incorporating unpredictable patterns that echo the high-wire tension of his abandoned circus pursuits. Archil Sulakvelidze appears as Iago Waitman on keyboards and additional vocals, having joined after the band's initial formation. His contributions add electronic layers and atmospheric depth, with his real name disclosed in post-2022 interviews; Sulakvelidze's post-dropout focus on synths reflects a shift from physical circus feats to sonic tightrope walking. Sulakvelidze also served as Georgia's spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.[3][29]Former members
As of November 2025, Circus Mircus has no former members and has maintained a stable lineup since its formation.[4] The band initially formed as a trio in late 2020 by three dropouts from a local circus academy in Tbilisi, Georgia.[1] It expanded to a core four-piece in early 2021 with the seamless addition of a fourth member, without any reported disruptions to the group's activities.[30] During the 2021–2022 period of anonymity prior to their Eurovision participation, media and fan speculation suggested the possibility of rotating collaborators due to the masked personas and unclear identities, but the lineup was confirmed stable upon the post-reveal of the members' real names in late 2022.[31]Artistry
Musical style and influences
Circus Mircus's music is characterized as progressive rock with experimental elements, blending a wide array of genres to create a sonically unique sound that defies conventional structures.[32] The band incorporates indietronica, alternative dance, new wave, and indie pop, often mixing rock instrumentation with electronic and funk influences, as evident in their singles like the synth-driven "Soul Pop" and the eclectic "Lock Me In."[33] This genre fusion reflects their self-described approach of neglecting traditional musical frameworks to explore diverse sonic landscapes.[34] The band's influences draw from the local Georgian music scene, particularly through vocalist Nika Kocharov, who previously fronted the alternative indie rock band Young Georgian Lolitaz, known for its electronic beats and unconventional structures.[35] Kocharov's background in garage-influenced indie rock contributes to Circus Mircus's raw, boundary-pushing style. Reviewers have drawn comparisons to acts like Electric Light Orchestra and The Psychedelic Furs for their blend of psychedelia and orchestral pop elements, as well as Gorillaz for the experimental eclecticism in tracks like "Lock Me In."[36] The circus-themed absurdity in their aesthetic and lyrics stems from the members' shared history as dropouts from a Tbilisi circus academy, infusing their work with themes of reinvention and inner turmoil.[1] Songwriting in Circus Mircus is collaborative, with each genre choice representing the life experiences and "inner world" of the members, turning personal narratives into multifaceted compositions.[37] Lyrics are primarily in English, as in "Lock Me In," but also incorporate Georgian, such as in the track "საქართველო (Sakartvelo)" from their 2023 album Furore/Fiasco, exploring identity and cultural roots.[38] This bilingual approach allows for surreal and introspective explorations, often tied to themes of confinement and self-expression drawn from their dropout stories.[5] The band's sound has evolved from the raw, lo-fi quality of their early 2020–2021 singles—such as the gentle "Musicien" and upbeat indie "23:34"—to a more polished production in later releases.[34] Post their 2022 Eurovision participation, works like the 2023 album Furore/Fiasco feature refined indietronica and progressive pop arrangements, incorporating broader collaborative elements while maintaining experimental edges.[39]Image and performances
Circus Mircus adopted circus-inspired pseudonyms such as Damocles Stavriadis, Igor Von Lichtenstein, Bavonc Gevorkyan, and Iago Waitman during their 2021–2022 period to cultivate an air of mystery and anonymity around the band.[40] This approach aligned with their enigmatic image, featuring masks that enhanced the circus theme during performances.[41] Following their Eurovision participation, the band revealed their real identities—Shota Darakhvelidze, Nika Kocharov, Sandro Sulakvelidze, and Archil Sulakvelidze—shifting toward a more authentic public persona.[3] The band's performance style is characterized by high-energy, theatrical shows that blend rock concert dynamics with circus-inspired antics, including choreographed movements and props like a giant music box wielded by one member.[42] At the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, their staging incorporated strings, dramatic lighting shifts from colorful neon to darker tones, and surreal LED graphics with abstract shapes, underscoring themes of isolation in their song "Lock Me In."[43][44] The overall presentation evoked a joyfully eccentric atmosphere, mixing Victorian circus elements, steampunk aesthetics, and neon designs.[44] Their live shows have evolved from intimate early performances in Tbilisi venues, such as their first recorded live session at Stockton Records emphasizing raw, close-knit energy, to larger festival productions post-2023.[45] Appearances like Tbilisi Open Air 2024 showcased expanded setups with multimedia visuals and broader stage presence, reflecting growth in scale while retaining theatrical flair.[46] Publicly, Circus Mircus transitioned from a mysterious Eurovision act shrouded in anonymity to a relatable fixture in Georgia's alternative music scene, often highlighting humor and cultural ties in their outreach.[47] This evolution positioned them as proud representatives of Georgian heritage within the progressive rock community.[48]Discography
Studio albums
Circus Mircus released their debut studio album, Furore/Fiasco, on November 20, 2023, as an independent release through Stockton Records.[5] The album was produced by Tornike Gvelesiani and features 11 tracks blending indie pop, indietronica, and progressive elements.[39] The track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Up Is Down" | 4:12 |
| 2. | "საქართველო (Sakartvelo)" | 2:28 |
| 3. | "Before Me" | 2:22 |
| 4. | "Liana" | 3:34 |
| 5. | "Domestique" | 2:41 |
| 6. | "Now" | 2:00 |
| 7. | "BNE" | 4:35 |
| 8. | "Saxx" | 4:02 |
| 9. | "ამერიკის ხმა (Voice of America)" | 5:33 |
| 10. | "Katten Knutten" | 0:50 |
| 11. | "Tenderizer" | 2:37 |
Extended plays
Circus Mircus released their self-titled debut extended play, Circus Mircus, on December 5, 2020, making it the band's first official recording project.[7] Distributed exclusively through Bandcamp, the EP was available in digital formats including streaming and high-quality downloads such as MP3 and FLAC at 16-bit/44.1kHz resolution.[7] As a lo-fi experimental indie release, it featured an international trio based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and saw initial limited distribution within the country before wider online availability.[7][33] The EP comprises four tracks that showcase the band's early fusion of alternative rock and funk influences.[50]| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 2:45 |
| 2 | White Boy Funk | 3:12 |
| 3 | Nobody | 3:57 |
| 4 | Plastique Bijou | 4:01 |