Litesound

Litesound

Litesound at Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in 2012 performing We Are the Heroes
Background information
Origin Minsk, Belarus
Genres
Years active 2005present
Labels West
Website www.litesound.by
Members Dmitry Karyakin
Vladimir Karyakin
Andrey Ravovoy
Past members Mario Gulinsky
Sergey Genko
Alex Kolchin
Ignat Yakovich
Artyom Doronkin
Egor Doronkin
Jacopo Massa

Litesound is a Belarusian pop rock band. Formed in 2005, it is composed of the two brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin.[1]

Their first album, Going to Hollywood, was released in 2008. In 2012 the band was chosen to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest, performing the song "We Are the Heroes".[2]

History

Early years and debut album

The band, originally conveived as an acoustic duo, was formed in 2002 by the brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin.[3] In 2005, the band was changed into a quartet, also including bassist Mario Gulinsky and drummer Sergey Genko.[4] In 2006, the band won the Maiori International Music Festival, held in Italy, during which they met Italian singer Jacopo Massa, also taking part in the competition.[5] Massa and Litesound started co-working, and Massa appeared as a guest in several concerts of the band.[5] Massa later became an official member of the band, together with Russian guitarist Alex Kolchin and Belarusian drummer Ignat Yakovich,[6] while Gulinsky and Genko left the group in 2006.[4]

The band competed in the Eurofest 2006, performing the song "My Faith".[7] Litesound also participated in the Eurofest 2008, performing the song "Do You Believe", and in the Eurofest 2009, placing third with the song "Carry On", also featuring vocals by Dakota.[7] In 2010, the band released the debut album Going to Hollywood,[8] including the single "Solo per te".[5]

Eurovision Song Contest 2012

Starting from December 2011, Litesound took part in Eurofest 2012, the national selection for the Belarusian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. During the semi-final of the contest, held on 21 December 2011, Litesound performed the song "We Are the Heroes".[9] After being admitted to the final, they decided not to change their entry.[10] On 14 February 2012, Alyona Lanskaya was announced the winner of the Eurofest 2012, while Litesound came in second place.[11]

However, on 21 February 2012, the Belarusian president conducted an investigation about an alleged fraud in the televote, which turned out to be true.[12] As a result of the investigation, the original winner was disqualified on 22 February.[13] Litesound were then internally chosen to replace Alyona Lanskaya to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.[14] Their entry "We Are the Heroes" was later re-recorded in a new version, produced by Dimitris Kontopoulos.[15] The song ultimately failed to progress from the second semi-final into the final.

In January 2013 Litesound was announced the best performer of the last ten years by fans and journalists covering the Eurovision Song Contest. The Belarusian band won the 6th edition of oikotimes.com’s Eurostar Award.

Alex Kolchin left the band in 2013. He has been replaced by two new members Artyom and Egor Doronkin, (also brothers). Together they recorded a Christmas single and music video “Shooting Star”. The Doronkin brothers left the band in 2015. New bandmember became Andrey Ravovoy. With Alex Kolchin, they recorded a cover of the Russian entry for Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Polina Gagarina with the song "A Million Voices". On 16 April 2015 Litesound celebrated their 10th Anniversary and released a special song for it "Give me your hand".

2016 Litesound joined forces with Katherine (from Moldova) to enter Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. They reached the semi finals to represent Moldova with the song "Imagine". However, on 1 February it was announced that Katherine & Litesound withdrew their entry from the national selection because of personal reasons.

August 2016: Andrey Ravovoy left the band.

Band members

Current members[6]
Past members[4]

Discography

Studio albums
Singles

References

  1. "Belarus's Eurovision-2012 entry: Why not Azerbaijan as favorite?". Ann.az. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  2. "Shock In Belarus: Alyona Disqualified!" (in Greek). Oikotimes.Com. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  3. "Litesound as new Belarusian representative in Eurovision-2012". News.az. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "Litesound as new Belarusian representative in Baku". Eurovision.tv. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 "Jacopo Massa all'Eurofestival 2012: 'Gareggio per la Bielorussia'" (in Italian). Rockol.it. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Participants Profiles - Belarus 2012 - We Are the Heroes". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  7. 1 2 Victor Hondal (22 November 2011). "Belarus: Litesound back to EuroFest". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  8. "Going to Hollywood - Litesound". Allmusic. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  9. Victor Hondal (18 December 2011). "Belarus: EuroFest final to be held on January 28th". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  10. "Belarus: Interview with Litesound (EuroFest 2012)". ESCDaily.com. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  11. "Alyona Lanskaya to represent Belarus". Eurovision.tv. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  12. "Belarus 2012 information page". esckaz.com. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  13. "TUT.BY | НОВОСТИ - Президент объявил результаты "Еврофеста" подтасованными и отправил в Баку Litesound - Общество - 24.02.2012, 16:31". News.tut.by. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  14. "Alena Lanskaya will not be going to Baku - Litesound to represent Belarus instead | Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku". EuroVisionary. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  15. Victor Hondal (18 March 2012). "Belarus: Eurovision version for We are the heroes out". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 7 May 2012.

External links

Preceded by
Anastasia Vinnikova
with "I Love Belarus"
Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest
2012
Succeeded by
Alyona Lanskaya
with "Solayoh"
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