Formed in 2003, Ishtar are a Flemish folk band founded by Soetkin Baptist and Michel Vangheluwe who record in Dutch, English, and French. Following the release of their 2005 debut album TroubAmour, they had their commercial breakthrough when they were voted ahead of more familiar names Paranoiacs and Nelson to represent Belgium in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. Although their entry, "O Julisso," only finished 17th in the semi-finals, it became a Top 10 hit in their homeland, as did its parent album. In 2010, Baptist left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by both Hanelore Muyllaert and Isabelle Dekeyser for 2011's Tussen Donker en Licht. ~ Jon O'Brien