Composer Úlfur Eldjárn Drops New Video, Heads To Helsinki
Icelandic composer Úlfur Eldjárn, also known for his work with the Apparat Organ Quartet, has revealed a new video from his ambitious solo album, “The Aristókrasía Projec
Artist of the Year: GKR
Grapevine’s artist of the year award goes to the musician or performer who somehow helped to define the zeitgeist during the preceding twelve months. This year, our panel selecte
Band To Watch: aYia
In UK English, bands are usually referred to in the plural, as “they.” But when it comes to aYia, “it” feels more appropriate. The band’s sudden appearance in October 201
Track By Track: ‘Epicycle’ by Gyða Valtysdóttir
Gyða Valtysdóttir first rose to prominence as one of the twin singers in the first iteration of múm, but her story over the past few years is very much her […]
Monster Of The Month: Kráki, The Kraken
A fishing boat was sailing north of Iceland when it suddenly heeled, so that it was almost flooded, due to some horrific creature that held on to the gunwale. The […]
2016 In Travel: Small Towns, Ice Caves, Volcanoes, Islands
To look back on Grapevine’s year in travel, we decided to first go the empirical populism route, and drew up a list of the most clicked, liked and read stories […]
North By Northeast: A Road Trip To Iceland’s Arctic Henge
Despite its well earned reputation, Icelandic winter isn’t all bad. On a clear day, the short days—four or five hours, around the solstice—can be beautiful. The sun during th
Icelandic Literature In 2016: The Complete Grapevine Guide
This article was printed as the introduction to our December 2016 edition: The Literature Issue. You can use the links to explore our articles on Iceland’s literature scene.
Exclusive: Pirate Party MP Meets Edward Snowden In Moscow
Birgitta Jónsdóttir has been back on Icelandic soil for less than twelve hours when we meet. During the previous three days, the Pirate Party MP, privacy activist and former Wiki
Second Sight: A Conversation With Sjón
“I write as little as possible,” says Sjón, with a barely perceptible smile and a twinkle in his eye. “In fact, I do everything I can to avoid actual writing.” […]
Highlands Area Of Hveravellir To Be Developed For Tourism
The highlands area of Hveravellir is set to receive a 600m ISK facelift. The remote and quite wild site is home to a geothermal oasis, a campsite, a bar and […]
Up Close: The Textures & Colours Of Iceland
Grapevine contributor and filmmaker Timothée Lambrecq went up to north Iceland earlier this year to explore and document the area around Lake Mývatn. While he was there, he got a
Made With Love: Pallett Might Just Be Iceland’s Best Café
Set back from the harbour road in Hafnarfjörður—the first suburb that people pass through on the way into Reykjavík—is an unassuming café called Pallett. Its single large,
Far East: A Visit To Neskaupstaður
Seen from Iceland’s Ring Road, the Eastfjords seem like a sparsely occupied stretch of undulating fjords and mountainous wilderness, punctuated by small towns, farms and patches
JFDR Unveils KEXP Session, Announces Reykjavík Shows
The cover star of Reykjavík Grapevine’s current print issue, Jófríður Ákadottir — — read the full “Year of Jófríður” story here — today posted a liv
Monster Of The Month: Dagtröll – Day Troll
Day trolls are trolls who walk abroad during bright days. They are fierce, but steadfast and loyal to their friends. Some are kinds of protective beings, often seeking to mate [&he
Grapevine’s Best Of 2016: Tips For Seeing The Northern Lights
Reykjavík is a relatively small city, but even so, sometimes you need a bit of local advice to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a good people-watching spot, somewher
An Autumn World: Exploring The Forests Of Lagarfljót
We take off from Reykjavík in the midst of a dour, spitting dawn. As the small propellor plane races down the runway and lurches away from the ground, the familiar […]
Snow Comes To North And East Iceland
Grapevine was out exploring the north eastern tip of Iceland yesterday when a snow storm hit. Starting out from Vöpnafjörður, the landscape changed fast under flurries of heavy
Sjón To The Future: Do You Read Me?
In 2014, Scottish artist Katie Paterson launched a 100-year art project called The Future Library. One writer a year, starting in 2014, will contribute a written work, which will t