Islaja or Merja Kokkonen (born 19 May 1979) is a singer-songwriter and musician from Helsinki, Finland. Besides her solo career, she is a member of free improv and psychedelic folk bands Avarus, Kemialliset Ystävät, and the trio Hertta Lussu Ässä. She has been compared to Björk, Syd Barrett, and Nico. Her music is psychedelic and intimate using a large variety of instruments. She is a multi-instrumentalist. As of 2017, she is based in Berlin. Discography Meritie (Fonal, 2004) Palaa aurinkoon (Fonal, 2005) Ulual Yyy (Fonal, 2007) Blaze Mountain Recordings (Ecstatic Peace, 2008) Keraaminen Pää (Fonal, 2010) S U U (Monika Enterprise, 2014) Tarrantulla (Svart Records, 2017) Also appears on Beginner's Guide to Scandinavia (3CD, Nascente 2011) Images References External links Islaja site Fonal Records Interview, Drowned in Sound, 22 September 2008 1979 births Living people 21st-century Finnish women singers Finnish songwriters Musicians from Helsinki Psychedelic folk musicians Women in electronic music Writers from Helsinki