Inbal Perlmutter

Inbal Perlmutter (born in Rehovot, January 15, 1971 - October 1, 1997) was an Israeli composer, musician, singer and lyricist, and a founding member of the Ha-Mechashefot ("The Witches") band.

Inbal is considered to be a unique and influential artist in the Israeli music of the 1990s. Inbal began her musical career in 1992 when she founded, together with Ifat Netz and Yael Cohen, Ha-Mechashefot band, and continued into solo works and numerous collaborations both in Israel and abroad.

Ha-Mechashefot band

The band began to perform in clubs around Israel, and got public notice in a "Songs of the Sea of Gallilee" TV show. Ha-Mechashefot performed a sensual version of Naomi Shemer's Kesem 'Al Yam Kinneret ("Magic on Sea of Gallilee") which astounded the audience and the host (Naomi Shemer). This version was recorded in April 1993, and came out in a DJ record with a cover drawn by Inbal.

In the beginning of 1994, the band released their first album, "Ad Ha-Oneg Ha-Ba" (Till the Next Pleasure). Perlmutter wrote the lyrics to and composed nearly all the songs, and thanks to Korin Alal's arrangement and production, the band succeeded in creating an energetic guitar rock album which gained immense popularity and was certified Gold Album. Following the album's release, the band had dozens of concerts, some of them were held on Friday the 13th under the title "The Night of the Witches" and featured guest singers Korin Alal and Dana Berger.

In April - March of 1995, the band released their second album, "Zmanim Muzarim" (Strange Times), this time doing arrangement and production on their own. Again, Perlmutter wrote the lyrics to and composed all but one song. The album gained less popularity than their first.

The band continued holding concerts frequently, among others as a warm-up act for Björk.

In April 1996, the band released the album "Ha-Mechashefot Mitkasot" (The Witches Covering) including all cover versions which they have recorded in their early days, except for "Sweet Dreams", whose release was forbidden by Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics. In protest, Inbal distributed the song on an underground tape on whose cover, which she designed, she has inscribed: "Shit Rights".

Following the release of this album, the band's activity reduced to nothing, without an official disband announcement, and in September 1996 they held their last concert.

Death

She died in a car accident.