"The Next Eurovision Star" has made the members of the Shalva band a familiar face in almost every home in Israel.
Since the program, the band, which consists of people with disabilities, has managed to perform on many prestigious stages in Israel and around the world, including an unforgettable performance at the 2019 Eurovision held in Tel Aviv.
Prominent among the members of the band was one of the soloists, Anhal Kalifa, who was blind from birth, who moved the audience with her special voice.
She is now embarking on a solo career and releasing her first single from her debut album.
The song, "I'm Here Now," is a ballad she co-wrote with Avi Ohayon and Dudi Bar-David.
The two also composed the song, and the musical production is by Tamir Tzur.
"When I came to 'The Next Star,' music was just a hobby for me," says Khalifa (24).
"And then it became such a boom. Only now do I get to digest it. I came to the conclusion that I want to fulfill myself, I want my own songs and I want to decide for myself. Now that I know this world a little bit, I told myself I would try. At the same time I keep performing. "With the band, I started with them and I will continue with them. It's like family for me."
The song is a love song. Based on something from life?
"Honestly not. I wanted to write a love song that would make people remember someone they love. A relationship is something I don't have at the moment. If it comes - it will come."
How was the songwriting process?
"It was amazing, I came to my father and uncle's studio, we sat with a guitar and it just flowed. It's important for me to say that the doors did not open easily for me. I got a lot of 'no' from people I wanted to work with on the album, but my father did not hesitate for a second. "The door is wholehearted. I hope the album will be released in the coming year. These days I continue to write and work on more songs."
How do the band members react?
"They are very supportive, I hope that one day they too will decide to do something similar. It's just fun to go out and fulfill yourself. I really hope I also have a tour later, but step by step. First I want to work on my album. It's clear to me that when they are "I have performances - I will host the band and the band will host me. We are a family."
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