Islaja

Islaja, aka Merja Kokkonen, might be a member of both Avarus and Kemialliset Ystävät, but her own brand of folk psych is quite different to the noisy aesthetics of her other musical projects. Her voice is as sweet as she is beautiful (wink wink!) and has similarities to Björk (although on a much less extravagant note). The music is often drone based and somewhat atonal, but it is delivered so softly that it never feels aggressive, on the contrary, there is something quite earthy to her sound (not soothing however).

Similar artists are fellow finns Lau Nau and Kuupuu and, from the other side of the ocean, Philadelphia psych legend Fursaxa. These four artists together form what I call "fairy psych". They all seem to borrow from each other's forest folk qualities; it's not quite traditional, the folk music elements are there, but it's just way too spaced out to be "easy" listening. The finnish vocals also add an exotic touch to the music (and those weird electronic moments will completely disorient you!). And the voice is that of a mermaids, something out of fantasy, thus the "fairy psych" term (I know... It sounds horrible, but what are you gonna do?).

Once you start discovering bands from the finnish underground scene, Islaja is a name that is hard to avoid. She has quickly become a cornerstone of the whole family (because the whole finnish scene is based on only a few artists and their side and solo projects - Islaja is also a member of supergroup Hertta Lussu Ässä as well). Absolutely lovely and worth checking out. Kokkonen, Lau Nau and Jonna (Kuupuu) later went on to form the trio Hertta Lussu Ässä (which I have yet to hear), but the whole idea of these three together makes me daydream!

Meritie Label: Fonal Records Release: 2004 Format: CD Cat. no: FR-32
Song list:
Kristallipallosilmät (3:48) Kenen Maa (4:15) Emoa Ikävä (2:19) Kämmen, Kynsi, Kieli (3:01) Kukkia (3:14) Haikea, Kirkas (2:02) Sata Naakkaa Sitten (2:52) Majassani Nukut, Kataya (2:16) Valo Vedestä (2:22) Viimeisellä Rannalla (4:11) Harhojen Perhe (2:00) Halpaa Kultaa (2:03) Aallot Äänet (4:33)

Palaa Aurinkoon Label: Fonal Records Release: 2005 Format: CD Cat. no: FR-36
Song list:
Laivat Saapuu (2:56) Rohkaisulaulu (4:24) Uni Pöllönä Olemisesta (4:10) Palaa Aurinkoon (5:06) Haaveilija (3:12) Senkun Tanssitaan (3:34) Sateen Tullessa (4:21) Rukki (3:44) Tule Puutarhaan (3:53) Vaeltajan Laulu (3:09) Rukous (3:50)

Ulual Yyy Label: Fonal Records Release: 2007 Format: CD Cat. no: FR-49
Song list:
Kutsukaa Sydäntä (2:38) Sydänten Ahmija (4:05) Pete P (3:29) Laulu Jo Menneestä (4:23) Pysähtyneet Planeetat (4:34) Muusimaa (4:50) Varjokuvastin (2:39) Muukalais-Silmä (4:54) Suru Ei (9:40)

Blaze Mountain Recordings Label: Ecstatic Peace! Release: 2008 Format: CD Cat. no: E#106
Song list:
Kämmen, Kynsi, Kieli (3:38) Sateen Tullessa (4:18) Uni Pöllönä Olemisesta (3:50) Emoa Ikävä (4:08) Palaa Aurinkoon (5:12) Pete P (3:11) Silmä-Ämlis (2:12) Kristallipallosilmät (3:40)