I S L A J A ?

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Dudes - Islaja is the shit. I know everybody's knees get weak when they think of Finland these days, but I recently had the pleasure of spending a few days and a coupla shows with these Fins, and while they were all great, Islaja really stood out for me. What an amazing performer and gifted singer. What say the hive? Am I alone in my adoration here?

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Monday, 5 September 2005 01:31 (twenty years ago)

I shall use this opportunity to declare my unabated L O V E for Islaja, I loved her first album but Palaa Aurinkoon completely blew me away. What's next for her, what were the shows like? Do tell.

― Jena (JenaP), Monday, 5 September 2005 01:36 (twenty years ago)

She played with a bassist, mostly stuff from the new album. One song featured percussion courtesy of a toy rabbit that clashed two cymbals together and spun around in a circle - it was totally ungodly and surreal. She sounded great.

Of the bunch, she definitely has what you'd call a 'star' quality - not nearly as shy as the others, but still somewhat aloof. At one point onstage, she began yelling to the people outside smoking to come in and watch her set. Really charming and just plain cool. There's no other way to describe her, really. She's cool!

I saw lots of baldies with mics set up, so it's probably just a matter of time before this shit leaks, as well it should.

Hail C1ay Ruby for setting up such an amazing tour for those guys.

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Monday, 5 September 2005 01:57 (twenty years ago)

I'd really like to see her live, as both albums are at the top of my list when it comes to the Finn 'splosion.

The only other act that comes close in my mind is Lau Nau.

― Brooker Buckingham (Brooker B), Monday, 5 September 2005 02:52 (twenty years ago)

Lau Nau were also very good

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Monday, 5 September 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

I just know Islaja by her appearance in WFMU's Brian Turner show. It was terrific. I also liked Lau Nau, but I think the best Fin act is Kuupuu. It's a great psych band.

― Venus in Surf, Monday, 5 September 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

Kuupuu is another female solo act, I think.

some collaboration LP between Lau Nau, Islaja and Kuupuu is due on Eclipse sometime late this year/early next.

― a, Monday, 5 September 2005 17:48 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, there's a cd-r as well. They're called Herrta something or other I think. I like Kuupuu's records, and live she was pretty good. I disagree with Venus about her being the best of the bunch, though...I think if you see them live, you'll notice a clear distinction. Then again, maybe I'm what ILM would call a rockist.

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Monday, 5 September 2005 18:35 (twenty years ago)

Would totally agree with Roger on this. Saw a bunch of Finnish fellows earlier in the year and yeah, Islaja had this quality about her that made her stick out even in the midst of all that other wonderful stuff. And I couldn't really say why that is exactly, but I suppose she struck me as being really at ease and in her element inside that whole song-world. What she was doing didn't seem forced at all, but just really natural (Oh Lord, I wish I could say this in a way that made sense, without sounding hokey, and without doing anyone else down by comparison).

― NickB (NickB), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 07:16 (twenty years ago)

These reports intrigue me.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 18:59 (twenty years ago)

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