From the Editor’s Chair
We have just survived February, the coldest, darkest month of the year. Every time we escape this gruelling period alive, and relatively unscathed, it is cause for celebration. So,
Björk
Did she just say what I thought she said? That was the question on the lips of my fellow revellers as we filed out of a Shanghai auditorium after Björk’s […]
Remembering Bobby Fisher – II
The Circus Comes to Town The arrival of Bobby Fischer as an Icelandic citizen on March 24th 2005 was a strange affair. Firstly there were the circumstances of Parliament granting [
Drink Again!
For years, the most popular television show in Iceland has been a quiz show between the secondary schools in the country, called Gettu Betur (Guess Again). It has been around [&hel
Grapevine Easter Beer Guide
One Friday after work, The Grapevine team gathered together, along with friends and beneficiaries, to sample this year.s Páskabjór (Easter Beer). Although a representative from t
Across the Country in 40 Days
It is early in the afternoon, July 30, when I finally reach Kerlingarfjöll. A wave of relief pervades me as the familiar sight of Ásgarðar, the celebrated resort at the [&hellip
Brons
Snow was falling heavily when the four of us arrived at Brons. We didn’t quite know what to expect since the last time we’d been there the place had been […]
Gullfoss
The Gullfoss restaurant is on Pósthússtræti, across the street from Hornið and Bæjarins Bestu. In spite of its modest neighbours, Gullfoss should by no means be considered che
Art n’ Roll
Egill Sæbjörnsson is one of Iceland’s leading young artists. For the past nine years, he has been based in German’s creative capital Berlin, lived in Rio de Janeiro and trave
Kommunan
It’s the all too familiar scene: naked over oatmeal, the lesbian airing out her yeast infection in the kitchen. “There’s nothing wrong or ugly about this!” she shouts defen
Ólafur Arnalds
As Ólafur Arnalds and his four-piece ensemble trickled onto the stage of The Water Rats in London, something very rare happened – the entire audience risked a beer-soaked ba
Sour Grapes Issue 03 2008
Dear Madam/Sir, I am a 49-year-old Sri Lankan bank employee interested in exchanging ideas through correspondence with a likeminded Icelander. With a view to having my pen pal requ
Anti-racists Unite
For how long has the Anti-Racist Movement been operating? Since September 2006. That’s when we got permission to found the organisation and decided to try and see how people woul
Sparing the Rod
When I was 9 years old my mother put me in jail. She did it after my brothers and sisters and I tried our luck at the five finger discount. […]
Creatures of Comfort
I’ve often wondered how self-proclaimed 101-ers would survive outside Reykjavík, where stiletto heels and converse sneakers would leave toes frostbitten. It really is as if Reyk
102 Reykjavík:
Vatnsmýri – An Introduction Vatnsmýri is a 150 hectare area which is currently occupied by the Reykjavík domestic Airport. Located a few minutes walk from the commotion of the
Högni Egilsson
So, you’re nominated as songwriter andsinger of the year at the IMAs. Hjaltalín, yourband, was also nominated for song and recordof the year, as well as the Brightest Hopeaward.
Bergur Ebbi Benediktsson
I’ll start by congratulating you on your nomination to the Icelandic Music Awards. Yes, thanks. I was very pleased to hear of it, and, you know, I was a bit […]
Hjaltalín
Dressed in their Sunday best, which in this case included top hats and tails, Hjaltalín took to the purple-lit stage at NASA in front of a dead silent crowd. With […]
When the Garage Doors Open
Since 1982 Iceland’s very own garage band music competition, Battle of the Bands (Icel. Músiktilraunir), has taken place annually. The competition has allowed young artists to g