What better way to mark International Women's Day in Israel than showcasing three young, talented and up-and-coming female singers.
Dana Ivgy - On The Bus
Ivgy is one of Israel's most successful actresses, playing in numerous comedic and dramatic roles, with the latest earning her an Israeli Oscar (Ofir Prize) for her portrayal of a young girl with mental disabilities. When not starring on the stage or silver screen, Ivgy, who currently lives in New York, writes her own brand of indie rock.
In her latest, released Saturday, she joins forces with Israeli wunderkind director Vania Heymann (whose interactive video for Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" won international acclaim).
Victoria Hanna- Aleph-bet (Hosha'ana)
Hanna turns to her experiences as a young religious girl for her unique song Aleph-Bet (the first letters of the Hebrew alphabet). The song mixes repetitive religious texts with a local rhythm, creating a tapestry of both and old, but distinctly Jewish and Israel nonetheless.
Hanna joined forced with one of Israel's most promising directors – Asaf Korman – who directed the film for which Ivgy won her Oscar (Next to Her). The video also takes inspiration from the world of religious seminaries, but with a twist which accents the song's subversive undertone.
A-WA - Habib Galbi
Three powerful singers who grew up in Israel's south joined forces with one of Israel's most interesting musicians to create
A – WA a group dedicated to Yemenite music. The three began singing Yemenite folk songs passed down from mother to daughter and then sent out their materials to Tomer Yossef - the mastermind behind Balkan Beat Box - who immediately fell in love.
The song is their first single under the skillful production of Yossef, who also directed the video, and provides a distinctly Middle East experience.