| Islaja | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | Merja Kokkonen |
| Alias: | Islaja |
| Birth Date: | 19 May 1979 |
| Birth Place: | Helsinki, Finland |
| Origin: | Finland |
| Genre: | Folk, experimental, acid folk |
| Occupation: | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Years Active: | 2004–present |
| Label: | Fonal |
| Associated Acts: | Avarus, Kemialliset Ystävät, Hertta Lussu Ässä |
Merja Kokkonen (born 19 May 1979), better known by her stage name Islaja, is a singer-songwriter and musician from Helsinki, Finland.[1] Besides her solo career, she is a member of free improv and psychedelic folk bands Avarus, Kemialliset Ystävät, and the trio Hertta Lussu Ässä.[2]
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.[3]
As of 2017, she is based in Berlin.[4]