biography
Jolea is the moniker of Joanna Similä, Helsinki born producer – singer – songwriter. The name is drawn from the Finnish word kolea which means ”chilly”, as she found it oddly suitable for the style of music she represents. Jolea started crafting her first songs as a young teenager and went on to study a bachelor’s degree in music production. She released her first EP Ghostly Figures on her own indie label Audiobaum in late 2009, followed by a double- EP ..And the Ghosts That Followed (2010 & 2011) that extended the eerie theme further with six remixes and four new songs. In 2015 Jolea released a collaborative album Recue X Jolea – We’re Not Like The Most with label mate Recue. It combined Recue’s electronic mastermind with Jolea’s reflective songwriting and intimate vocals. Her most sullen and reflective third solo EP Melancholy Meditations saw daylight in 2016. More hopeful and upbeat EP Intuition came out in 2018. Its themes circle around hope and perseverance during globally turbulent times.
Jolea’s latest release Atlas is her first instrumental, compositional ambient release. It’s a personal map of life experiences turned into songs – a deep dive into places, memories and feelings.
Her next full lenght neoclassical ambient album Weight of Clouds will be released early 2021.
