Islaja or Merja Kokkonen, is a singer/songwriter from Finland. She is also a member of free improv and psych folk bands Avarus, Kemialliset Ystävät, and the trio Hertta Lussu Ässä. She has been compared to an acid-folk version of Björk, Syd Barrett, and to Nico. Her music is notably psychedelic and very intimate using a large variety of instruments.
