Finnish folk music might sound about as accessible as a Nasa rocket manual printed in Swahili, but prick up your ears and you could be in for a genuine discovery.
Helsinki-based singer/songwriter Islaja has created ripples well beyond Scandinavia with her unique, dreamy music that draws comparisons with impish Icelandic star Bjork.
They do share a quirky lyricism, pixie-like vocal style and a slightly kooky nature, but the similarities end there.
Islaja | Skeleton Walk
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=qPIetgasVmM
Islaja – her real name is Merja Kokkonen – has no pop pretensions and her psychedelic compositions feature a kaleidoscope of instruments played by herself and recorded in the frigid tranquility of her home studio.
Emerging from the strong Finnish free-folk movement, Islaja is a member of three bands – including the world renowned Avarus – but she has shone brightest on her own and has three albums of eerie beauty to her name.
Islaja | Rohkaisulaulu
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=eLns3M-uPc8
Her debut, Meritie, garnered plaudits from Dusted magazine and The Wire, and saw her placed in such exalted company as Syd Barrett and Nico.
Islaja has recently finished 11 new songs and is expecting the new album to come out late 2013/early 2014.
Tracks are being recorded with analog synths and drum machines and they will bring a new fresh sound for the spectrum of Islaja’s experimental pop music.
Heidi Mortenson | Underkast
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=NmoXvsnpbx8
Heidi Mortenson grew up listening to the metallic sounds of her dad fixing cars in the garage and her mum playing the organ.
Her first audio modulations began on a small cassette player, La Bamba was a favorite. As a teenager Heidi moved to Barcelona where she continued to develop her interest for music.
Heidi Mortenson | Et Stykke Mindre
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=me3ZAKIWh4U
As a onewomanliveband Heidi brings on live sampling through a machine park of effects with beatbox, vocal instrumentation and soulful singing.
The result being colorful and textured music with a nerdy and dazed approach where the sound grows from playful experiments and intuitive objections. Add emotional drive, spirit and depth.
This event is highly recommended by Digital in Berlin! We are giving away 2 x 2 tickets. Just send a mail to win@digitalinberlin.de with “Islaja & Heidi Mortenson” as the subject.
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Islaja & Heidi Mortenson LIVE
presented by am Start & D/B
Thursday, 03 October 2013 | 21:00 CET
Urban Spree | Revaler Str. 99 | 10245 Berlin/Friedrichshain
islaja.com | nosnetrom.net | urbanspree.com
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