Tinatin's Cyberspace

No excuses!

2010-05-31T08:02:00.000-07:00

I could list about 101 reasons as to why I have not written a new blog since 2009... But the truth is, it really has been so manic, time and again it came down to either writing a blog or a new chapter for the book. A tough call when you're on a deadline, but at the same time, I've missed blogging so much - it's good to be back! On the one hand, I'd love to write a whole update of what's been

Tinatin: Breaking through the Iron Curtain

2009-12-04T12:17:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,I'm thrilled to announce my U.S. solo debut at the Metropolitan Room on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.We have a few special surprises for you, including original song premieres, ultimate classics and a sneak peek at the story behind my Soviet-themed memoir... but more on that (among other exciting surprises!) on January 19th at the Metropolitan Room....Looking forward to

Been Too Long... But here's why!

2009-10-11T20:47:00.001-07:00

There are times when I really miss the daily blogs followed by instant reactions that usually developed into full-on electronic dialogues. But for better or worse, I can only count on a few minutes here and there to post my regular (or nowadays "irregular"... My bad!) updates. Not surprisingly, though, it takes me so long to actually get to the computer for these overdue "news blogs" that I tend

What's Up, Doc?

2009-09-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well, the summer is now officially over and who would have thought - the workload is still full on regardless of the season! With so much writing (both fiction and songs), rehearsing for the upcoming show and meticulous planning, I don't think I've ever juggled so many projects all at once. But that's what makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it? Over the past couple of months, I've been blessed to

News, news, news

2009-08-14T20:26:00.001-07:00

Such an incredibly productive summer - and it's still mid-August! Someone's not destined to have a holiday this summer, but hey, dare I complain?I am so excited about the airplay and chart success back home in Russia - all three mixes of "Thinking of Someone Else" (Riffs & Rays, Dr. Octavo and the Dean St. Radio Mix) are on the radio constantly, including Europe + Euro-Mix, Radio 7, NRJ's Top 30

Williamsburg to Siberia...

2009-07-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

On my way to Williamsburg to finish a new tune with Christian from GoodandEvil (one of my most exciting recent discoveries!) that we started the very day we heard about a great loss in our barely intact world of music and entertainment... MJ.So much has been written, spoken and especially fabricated about this one-of-a-kind artist with a capital letter "A", it's becoming increasingly difficult to

My Crazy Month...

2009-06-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

A crazy month so far... And the summer has only just kicked off!Negotiating contracts, meeting with lawyers, publishers, agents and newsongwriting partners can be fascinating, exhausting and at times reallyexciting, but what about some free time for a bit of fun and entertainment?It's becoming increasingly difficult to take the entire day off, let alone aproper weekend off work, without feeling

After ESC 2009 Success - A European Chart-Topper!

2009-06-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

I couldn't be more excited and thrilled with the results following the Eurovision extravaganza earlier last month...While most of us expected the ESC madness to be over following the grand finale on May 16, shortly thereafter, I realized that the craziness had only just begun as the phone started ringing like never before with 2 min intervals the moment my plane touched down in New York City!

Final Day – Is It True? Yes, It Is!

2009-05-17T15:22:00.001-07:00

It’s not only true, but it’s also over (the madness, the excitement, the 24 hour schedule with no time to sleep, et cetera). But what a fantastic ride it’s been, and what a great payoff in the end! I couldn’t be more ecstatic about the results…Iceland came in second, with 218 points, including ‘Douze Points’ from three countries: Norway, Malta and Ireland. Ironically, one of the co-writers of our

Day 11 - It Is True, We Are Officially In!

2009-05-14T15:47:00.001-07:00

I couldn’t be happier or more proud! Making it to the finals has most definitely been the highlight of my trip so far. Isn’t that why we are here, after all?Rumor had it, just before the semi-final gala kicked off, that Iceland would either be the first to go through, or it would simply miss out by a couple of votes. The polls across the Olympiisky Stadium walls, however, had been very promising

Day 10 - Semi Final Preparations!

2009-05-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

As we are making last minute preparations for the semi final, due to take place tonight at 11 PM Moscow time, the excitement is building up and our overall schedule is getting tighter by the minute!While most of the delegation parties are beginning to wind down (until the big night on the 16th) most of the participants are spending less time on the dance floor.Everyone is devoting all of their

Day 8 - Eurovision Fever in Moscow!

2009-05-10T21:11:00.001-07:00

The last couple of days have been so intense and “full on” – there is absolutely no escape from the Eurovision madness. Wherever I go in Moscow, it’s unbelievable!Constant press conferences, interviews (TV and radio, even across the other side of the world… but more on that later!) rehearsals and parties – I truly am having a blast! But on the same note, as you may already know, I haven’t been

Day 7 - New Friends!

2009-05-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic day! It really does keep getting better as the clock keeps on ticking away – and I am not exaggerating!I really should be in bed by now, as I’m doing some writing in the studio tomorrow (I have never composed in Moscow – or at least have never co-written here, which is extremely exciting). But I wanted to share some of the latest news with you, and share some of my happiness.Last

Day 6 - Back To Eurovision 2009!

2009-05-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

I have so enjoyed spending time catching up with old friends from school! I am back in my hometown, after all, so a little sightseeing is mandatory. I must look like a wide-eyed tourist, or rather an expatriate who’s been away for far too long!That said, following a much-deserved “collective” day off on Day 5, we are now fully back on ESC track, and in full gear!The highlight of the day was

Day 4 - Down Time, Party Time!

2009-05-06T03:56:00.001-07:00

Just when it seemed our manic schedule was going to get out of hand, with nary a moment to tour the Russian capital, the Eurovision organizers announced today and tomorrow as the second semifinal rehearsal dates. So, we’re officially off for the time being. Or at least the songwriters and a few of the delegates are, as Yohanna and her coach will still be rehearsing at the hotel over the next

Day 3 - ESC Preparations Kick-Off!

2009-05-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

The rehearsals and press conferences have finally kicked off, and unlike yesterday’s “meet and greet,” today was the real deal.First thing in the morning, the Russian Eurovision hosts picked me up at home. The other assigned group of hosts went directly to the hotel to get the rest of the delegation - the majority of them, in fact, as I’m the only one from our group who is not staying in the

Day 2 - Welcoming the Icelandic Delegation!

2009-05-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

What an exciting day! Finally, the endless anticipation is over and our delegation has arrived in Moscow safe and sound!The first few hours prior to their arrival, I spent a rather relaxing afternoon with my parents, walking around the new fancy shopping mall across the street from our apartment. (I was so tempted to stay with everyone else at the Cosmos Hotel, our official Icelandic residence,

Safe Landing - ESC Greeting

2009-05-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

It has just gone past midnight Moscow time and I can hardly believe it’s only 4 p.m. back home in New York –has it really been over 24 hours since I checked in at JFK Airport’s Terminal 1?Fortunately, I wasn’t flying alone across the ocean – my newfound best friend will be accompanying me during the next few weeks… His name is Dominic and he is the cutest puppy I’ve ever seen (at least among

Eurovision 2009: Through the Eyes of a Participant

2009-04-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

The annual Eurovision Song Contest consists of forty-three participating nations, including most of NATO, the Eastern European block and Israel. It is one of the most anticipated television events in all of Europe, attracting anywhere from 100 to 200 million viewers worldwide on a yearly basis.Originally conceived in 1956, as a means for peaceful reunification of European countries following the

Tinatin on HFM, Sunday April 26th!

2009-04-25T16:39:00.001-07:00

Tinatin will be a special guest on the Dave Charles show on HFM radio in the UK.You can listen to the exclusive phone interview featuring some of Tinatin's songs on 102.3 across South Leicestershire and Northhamptonshire (no, not the Hamptons in Long Island!!!) around 21:20 UK Time or right here on the HFM website on your computer!Be sure to tune in and check back again soon for details on the

ESCtime Interview (Part I & Part II)

2009-04-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

Exclusive interview for ESCtime with Tinatin & Christopher Neil.....Esctime speaks to Tinatin & Chris (Part 1)Esctime had the pleasure of exclusively interviewing both Tinatin Japaridze and Christopher Neil, the Icelandic songwriters of this year.To see the full Iceland 2009 profile, click here. Thanks to the fans that submitted their questions!!!01 - Were you tempted at all to put more

Radio Promo Kicks Off...

2009-04-11T09:48:00.000-07:00

The track was released today through Music2Mix/Media2Radio, the pioneers in radio marketing... And it's immediately gone to #1 as the top rated track !Radio spins in the USA, UK and throughout the World, on many ground-breaking music shows via the radio and club DJs on the extensive Media2Radio database will follow shortly...But so far here's the M2M Top 10 chart and the official press release

More Russkiy in Amerikansky...!

2009-04-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

A fine gap between UN Radio and Russkiy electronic mixed with some alternativa, but who ever said it was forbidden?!If you've only heard Russian "popsa" and don't know much about the particular genre apart from T.a.t.u. and a few rare exceptions that have actually managed to "translate" into the Western pop market, here's your chance to listen to what's really cool, underground and "happening" in

Iceland's Secret Eurovision Weapon

2009-03-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

From today's Iceland Review:27/03/2009 | 11:55Iceland Reveals Secret Eurovision WeaponThe secret is out! Russian singer-songwriter Tinatin Japaridze co-wrote Iceland’s contribution to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, the ballad “Is it True?” performed by Icelandic singer Jóhanna Gudrún Jónsdóttir.“We tried to keep it secret because we wanted people to value the song for what it is

Official Blog Up & Running!

2009-03-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

And the official ESC's Icelandic Delegation blog is up and running....With great support from the official sources!ESC Official Icelandic BlogESCToday Press ReleaseESC TVEurovision.tv Press ReleaseWhat's next? A Russian lyric - quite literally!