Nika Kocharov

In this name that follows East Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Valerieovich and the family name is Kocharov.

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 (1980-06-22) June 22, 1980 (age 45) Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (now Georgia)
Other names	Igor Von Lichtenstein
Occupations	Singer songwriter composer musician actor
Musical career
Genres	Alternative rock, indie rock, progressive rock
Instruments	Vocals guitar drums keyboard
Years active	1995 (1995)–present
Labels	4 Real Records Stockton Records
Member of	Circus Mircus
Formerly of	Young Georgian Lolitaz Z For Zulu

Career

Kocharov (second from left) performing as part of Young Georgian Lolitaz at the ESC Village at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

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

According 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

Kocharov is in a relationship with 1TV presenter Lika Evgenidze, and their first child was born in 2024.^[7]

Discography

Singles

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

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

Main article: Young Georgian Lolitaz

Studio albums

Title	Details	Ref.
"Lemonjuice"	Released: December 28, 2009	[12]

Extended plays

Title	Details	Ref.
"The Lava EP"	Released: June 7, 2010	[13]

Singles

Title	Year	Writer(s)	Ref.
"Midnight Gold"	2016	Kote Kalandadze Thomas G:son	[a]
"Dark Device"	2017	Young Georgian Lolitaz	[14]

Filmography

As a composer

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

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

Year	Award/Festival	Category	Work	Result	Ref
2019	Minsk International Film Festival (Listapad)	Best Sound/Score	The Criminal Man	Won	[16]

Notes

1. "Midnight Gold" was removed from streaming services.