ESC 2012, semi-final 1 - Israel

Izabo is an Israeli band and consists of Ran Shem-Tov - vocals and guitar, Shiri Hadar - keyboards, Jonathan Levy - bass and Nir Mantzur - drums.
Their musical style is diverse, ranging from Indie rock, disco and Middle Eastern music. Izabo will be representing Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, with the song Time.

Most of the band members are experienced musicians on the Israeli music scene. The lead singer and guitarist, Ran Shem-Tov is a versatile producer, who worked with artists such as Yehudit Ravitz, Anat Damon and Dikla and recorded soundtracks. The other players are successful session musicians.

Izabo's music has been described as an action packed combination of Psychadelic Rock, Disco, Punk and Arabic spices. Featuring high-to-ultra-high vocals, Arab-flavoured guitar work, funky basslines, catchy keyboards and disco beats, Izabo have established themselves as one of Israel's most absorbing live acts.

Izabo's debut LP, The Fun Makers, was released late 2003 to great critical acclaim. The songs Morning Hero and Cook Me became significant radio hits in Israel. In the following months Izabo signed on to Sony BMG, which released their British debut, The Morning Hero EP. The release was accompanied by a concert tour which took Izabo to England, Scotland and the Netherlands.

Izabo collaborated with a large variety of artists, on stage and in the studio, from Ahuva Ozeri to Israel Award winning choreographer Ohad Naharin.

Izabo's collaboration with Shotei Hanevuah produced the hit single Hu, which won the Music 24's song of the year award.

Their second LP, Super Light, was released in July 2008. The first single out of the LP is Slow Disco, released on June 16, 2008.

On March 2010 the band released a music video for their song On My Way using Apple Inc.'s iPhones as a creative motif.

In early February it was revealed that Izabo had been chosen by a group of mass communications and music industry experts to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The song, Time, has verses in English and choruses in Hebrew.