Eurovision: Chatting To The Entrants - TVORCHI

Having debuted back in 2018, TVORCHI were already an established part of the Ukrainian music community when they decided to enter Vidbir 2023 to represent Ukraine's winning title. Competing against respected names including Jerry Heil, OY Sound System and Demchuk, TVORCHI easily won the audience vote and sailed through to Liverpool with their song Heart of Steel. We caught up with them to find out a little bit more about what to expect...

Hi, first and foremost, how are you?

Jeffery: Pretty good. We are still in the process of completing things.

Andrew: There's a lot of work, preparation and events but we're doing well.

We absolutely love Heart of Steel. Tell us a little about the process behind the scenes in creating the song?

Andrew: We wrote Heart of Steel during springtime of 2022 and by then we saw a lot of videos from our defenders. We knew that the situation was very bad but in their eyes, we only saw strength, confidence and that they were unbreakable like all of Ukrainians. That was the emotion that inspired us to write this song.

Our song is about unbreakable, strong people who move forward despite all the difficulties. No matter how difficult it is for them, no matter what obstacles come in their way, they smile through the pain and go to their goal. This is a song about all people with hearts of steel.

Jeffery: The song is about the bravery of being yourself: free in your actions, expressions and thoughts. To keep going no matter how wounded and exhausted you are. It’s about believing in yourself even if everyone has already sunk into despair. About unbreakable will which makes you who you really are.

Did you always intend the song for Eurovision?

Jeffery: The song had not been written specifically for the contest, we chose Heart of Steel from the songs we were preparing for the album. After winning we decided to revamp the song. We kept the basis of the original version, for which more than 50 thousand viewers voted in the final of Vidbir. But at the same time, we strengthened the sound. A powerful finale with violins conveys the feeling of struggle, the drama, the moment when you overcome adversity

Andrew: It was important for us to add a Ukrainian text, so that there was a clear identification that this is a song from Ukraine.

As for other changes - we also listened to the comments of the jury and our listeners to strengthen the track, make it more powerful, so that it sounds better in the context of the competition

Ukraine are the reigning champions. Do you feel pressure to equal the achievements of Kalush Orchestra?

Jeffery: We have a lot of responsibility but we're not exactly nervous. People may think that since Ukraine is at war and since Kalush Orchestra won last year, this may add pressure to us, but it doesn't, we're relaxed. We know what we are going to do and understand what the outcome should be.

Andrew: I honestly hope that people connect to our song and will take something for themselves from the song. Maybe become better versions of themselves. We want them to feel inspired by our song, performance and even by us.

Ukraine have had a very strong few years at Eurovision. Do you have a favourite Ukrainian performance?

Jeffrey: Jamala, that was a great performance and an excellent presentation of the country.

Andrew: I agree, and I would also add that I loved Serdyuchka's performance. She's a phenomenon, you can't forget her! She's a great artist!



What can we expect from your Liverpool performance?

Jeffery: We can only tell you that the whole team is working on our performance: we are developing the idea and rehearsing the performance. Watch our performance from the stage in Liverpool. We are ready to surprise you.

Andrew: We will improve everything, make everything better, bigger and add more surprises to everyone.

What is your Eurovision ambition?

Jeffery: Our main goal is to share the message that we bring to all listeners from the stage in Liverpool. And we will be grateful if Eurovision fans respond to our song.

Andrew: We're working on our whole number, perfecting it. We want to present our country well and give our all on the stage. We're already very happy that we will show something new from Ukraine. So far, the world has heard our folk music and we're going to present electronic sounds that people may not expect from our country. We will show that Ukraine is diverse, pass on our message and hope to inspire people to be stronger.

And lastly, aside from Eurovision, what other 2023 plans do you have?

Jeffery: We will continue to write our music, release new tracks and albums. We have 4 albums already, which you can listen to: The Parts, Disco Lights, 13 Waves and ROAD.

Andrew: And also we will continue to give concerts.We have already attended charity performances in support of Ukraine in England, Poland, Norway, Germany, Portugal, Kenya etc.