Look inside for your free copy of Grapevine Airwaves Mini!

Featuring comprehensive festival coverage, tips and trix from the stars, reviews, interviews and the chance to win the ultimate

Airwaves experience! Photo: Jói Kjartans

YOUR FREE COPY THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIFE, TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT IN ICELAND Issue 16 – October 9 - November 5 – 2009 + COMPLETE CITY LISTINGS - INSIDE! www.grapevine.is

EVERYTHING MUST GO! 7.699$

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ENERGY OPPORTUNITY #1 GREAT FOR HEAVY INDUSTRY! CAPACITY - 690 MW - Great expansion potential Max flow - 144 m3/s Avg flow - 110 m3/s Energy production - 4.600 Gigawatt hours/year Average inflow - 31 m3/s

In the midst of a harsh economic recession, Icelanders have started selling off their valuable energy resources to international corporations at KREPPA-rates. Grapevine's Catharine Fulton investigates the sale of HS Orka to Canada's Magma Energy, how the deal went down and if it is an indication of what's to come. PG. 12. The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2009 2

Editorial | Haukur S Magnússon Look inside for your free copy of Grapevine Airwaves Mini!

Featuring comprehensive festival coverage, tips and trix from the stars, reviews, interviews and the chance to win the ultimate Airwaves experience! Photo: KjartansJói Editorial Interns: YOUR FREE COPY THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIFE, TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT IN ICELAND Issue 16 – October 9 - November 5 – 2009 + COMPLETE CITY LISTINGS - INSIDE! www.grapevine.is Rebecca Louder / [email protected] EVERYTHING MUST GO! 7.699$ Louise Petersson / [email protected] Haukur’s 16th Editorial 9. 699$ Michael Vladimar Zelenko / Just Haukur rambling, really [email protected]

ENERGY OPPORTUNITY #1 GREAT FOR HEAVY INDUSTRY! CAPACITY - 690 MW - Great expansion potential Max flow - 144 m3/s Avg flow - 110 m3/s I’m back. I wrestled the reigns away from designer extraordinaire, Jói – these people all need of an instant cash injection – that just Energy production - 4.600 Gigawatt hours/year Average inflow - 31 m3/s Davíð Oddsson. Even though I was excited continually break their backs (or allow me to doesn’t sound like a very smart idea. Like a Food Editor: about some of his new editorial policy break them) and bust their asses just so you downtrodden crack-addict pawning his TV. In the midst of a harsh economic recession, Icelanders have started selling off their valuable energy resources to international corporations at KREPPA-rates. Grapevine's Catharine Fulton investigates the sale of HS Orka to Canada's Sari Peltonen (expanding the poetry section, more original can gain some enjoyment from this paper. I Anyway, no matter what your opinion on Magma Energy, how the deal went down and if it is an indication of what's to come. PG. 12. fiction), it still came down to the fact that I hope you’re happy. At least I am. And proud these issues will be, I dare you to have one. On-line News Editor Cover Photo: kind of like this job. to get to work with all these fine people). That is important, as this is an extremely Paul Nikolov Hörður Sveinsson Also, employment in the field of Now. Here are two points: important matter. Possibly one of the most [email protected] On Cover: publishing is hard to come by these days, 1) Read Catharine Fulton’s eye-opening important we as a nation will be confronted Óttar Proppé of Dr. Spock Art Director: especially jobs that don’t entail your owner feature on the privatization and subsequent with in the next decades. We cannot afford to Art Direction: Hörður Kristbjörnsson spying on you and reading your e-mail and sale of HS Orka. To me, this is some scary, be lazy here. We just can’t. Jói Kjartans stuff. So I took it back. Yay, me. eyebrow-raising stuff. Even if every party 2) If you’re going Airwaves next week, [email protected] Design: Anyway, all of the amazing Grapevine involved in the transaction has the best make sure to catch as many of the local acts Printed by Landsprent ehf. in 25.000 copies. Jóhannes Kjartansson staff has been hard at work for the past of intentions (which is unlikely, if THE as you can. And dare to be surprised – there [email protected] The Reykjavík Grapevine couple of weeks, preparing this packed COLLAPSE taught us anything about are a lot of great things happening in the Photographers: Hafnarstræti 15, 101 Reykjavík issue of packed-ness. It has it all. Interviews, common businessfolks’ ethics, and if we Icelandic music scene these days and you Hörður Sveinsson / hordursveinsson.com www.grapevine.is opinions, music reviews, comix. Oh and a look at how such deals have gone down in the won’t have heard about all of them. Go out Julia Staples / juliastaples.com whole extra paper inside, The Grapevine past), this is still a matter of grave importance early, stay out late, don’t get too drunk and [email protected] Published by Fröken ehf. Airwaves Mini, where you can read up on that should be discussed and debated heavily respect your elders. Sales Director: Member of the Icelandic Travel Industry your Iceland Airwaves bands and get some before any course of action is taken. I ALSO HAPPEN TO BE A MEMBER OF A Aðalsteinn Jörundsson Association - www.saf.is good advice on how to conduct your festival We just effectively sold off exclusive BAND THAT’S PLAYING AT AIRWAVES [email protected] in an optimal manner. It’s loaded with stuff. rights to all of Reykjanes’ harnessable AND YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY CHECK Guðmundur Rúnar Svansson Editorial: [email protected] (Sidenote: I am in awe of the folks that energy for the next 130 years. And if what US OUT AS WE ARE REALLY GREAT AND +354 540 3600 / [email protected] Distribution: contribute to making Grapevine. From our we’re hearing is right, this might just be the LIFE ALTERING AND STUFF! WE’RE Advertising: [email protected] proof-reader Jim, to our SUPER TEAM of beginning. Selling off a nation’s resources CALLED REYKJAVÍK! Phew. +354 540 3605 / [email protected] Proofreader: interns, to every single writer, photographer at bargain rates, while that nation is battling Publisher: Jim Rice and illustrator to grace our pages, and our severe economic problems and in great +354 540 3601 / [email protected] Press releases: Publisher: [email protected] Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson Comic | Lóa Hjálmtýsdóttir Submissions inquiries: [email protected] [email protected] Subscription inquiries: Editor: +354 540 3605 / [email protected] Haukur S Magnússon General inquiries: [email protected] [email protected] Founders: Journalist: Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson, Catharine Fulton / [email protected] Hörður Kristbjörnsson, Jón Trausti Sigurðarson, Contributing Writers: Oddur Óskar Kjartansson, Sigurður K Kristinsson Valur Gunnarsson Florian Zühlke Marc Vincenz The Reykjavík Grapevine is published 18 Bergrún Anna Hallsteinsdóttir times a year by Fröken ltd. Monthly from Ólafur Halldór Ólafsson November through April, and fortnightly Fríða Brá Pálsdóttir from May til October. Nothing in this Haukur Már Helgason magazine may be reproduced in whole or Flosi Þorgeirsson in part without the written permission of Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl the publishers. The Reykjavík Grapevine Irina Domurath is distributed around Reykjavík, Akureyri, Páll Hilmarsson Egilsstaðir, Selfoss, Keflavík, Ísafjörður and Birkir Fjalar Viðarsson at key locations along road #1, and all major Lóa Hjálmtýsdóttir tourist attractions and tourist information Valur Gunnarsson centres in the country. Bob Cluness Adam Wood You may not like it, but at least it's not This Issue’s Free Track COMPILATION! Ben Frost sponsored. (No articles in the Reykjavík Dr. Gunni Grapevine are pay-for articles. The opinions Grapevine Airwaves 2009 Compilation Tim Hecker expressed are the writers’ own, not the Nico Muhly Download the free Compilation CD advertisers’). at www.grapevine.is It’s Airwaves time again. Damn, that’s exciting. All that music, all those shows. It’ll be a blast for sure. The thought of all this impending fun makes us feel all festive and warm inside. And CD OF you know us, we like to spread the joy around and so we done THE ISSUE went and made up this cool Iceland Airwaves compilation for y’all to download and blast in anticipation of the great fest. Download your It features select contributions from some of our favourite free copy at local artists that are playing Airwaves 2009 (not all of them, but grapevine.is some of them) for all your CD burning pleasures. It also has a full tracklist and a sweet cover designed and shot by our very own Jói Kjartans. Here’s what’s on it: Ben Frost – The Carpathians // Berndsen - Dark Times // Dynamo Fog - Rock 'n' Rock // Egill S - Stay Unhooked /// FM Belfast – Frequency // Foreign Monkeys – Los // Hjaltalín - Stay By You // Kimono – Black //Lára - Love // Mammút - Rauðilækur // Me, the Slumbering Napoleon – She’s a Maniac// Morðingjarnir - Manvísa // Retro Stefson – Montana // Retrön - Iron Goblet // Reykjavík! - THE BLOOD // Sudden Weather Change - She was a Cheerleader // Svavar Knútur (of Hraun) – Yfir hóla og hæðir // Sykur - New Horizon

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hönnun: www.skissa.net Islandia, Kringlan Álafoss, Mosfel Mývatnsmarkaður, Mývatn www.icewear.is Drífa ehf, Suðurhraun 12 C, 210 Garðabær, Sími 555 7400, Fax. 555 7401, [email protected], www.icewear.is Sour grape of the month Sour grapes A case of POLAR BEER for your thoughts. We're not gonna lie to you: we really love us some beers. Some folks would call it a problem, but beer never gave us any problems. In fact, and stuff over the years, it's solved most of 'em. A frosty glass of cold, frothy, bubblicious, golden-tinted beer has consistently failed to let us down. Say your piece, voice your opinion, In the immortal words of Homer J. Simpson: "Mmm... Beer..." send your letters to [email protected] Now, since we're real pleasant and giving folks here at the Grapevine, we thought we'd share some of that wonderful POLAR BEER with you, our readers. Henceforth, until the end of days (or our Polar Beer- sponsorship program, whichever comes first), we will reward one MOST EXCELLENT LETTER with a case of the Polar Beer. You read (light) 4 right. A full case of beer. At your disposal. Letters Give us your worst: [email protected]

THE WORLD HAS IGNORED THE TRUE GOD.THEY HAVE IGNORED JESUS MOST AWESOME LETTER: CHRIST.THEY HAVE CONTINUED DO- ING EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THEIR GOD. GOD HAS NOW STIRRED HIMSELF TO THE OFFICIAL TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE START A SYSTEMATIC AND UNPARAL- LELED DESTRUCTION OF THE INHAB- ITANTS OF THE WORLD.FROM NOW ON THE WORLD WILL BE DESTROYED BY:-

1.EARTHQUAKES. 2.FLOODS 3.GIGANTIC HAIL STORMS. 4.WARS 5.WILD ANIMALS. 6.OLD AND NEW SICKNESSES. 7.FAMINE. 8.DROUGHT 9.POISONED AND/OR BLOODIED WA- TER. 10.STRANGE CREATURES FROM THE CORE OF THE EARTH. 11.FIRES. 12.STORMS. 13.FALLING STARS. 14.TOR- TURE. 15.MURDERS AND OTHER FORMS OF CRIME. 16.BLOOD. 17.E.T.C.

18.AFTER PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION, THEY WILL BE CAST INTO HELL AND/ OR LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE WHERE THEY WILL BE BURNING FOR EVER AND EVER GOD IS THE CREATOR OF ALL.HIS CREATION HAS REJECTED HIM.THEY WILL NOW SUFFER THE CONSEQUENC- ES CHARLES MWANGI GACHICHIO & RAHAB WANJIKU MWANGI (THE 2 END-TIME PROPHETS,THE 2 WITNESSES OF REVELATION 11:3)

Dear Charles and Rahab,

thank you for your warning. It really sucks that it has come to this, but we must admit; we are sorta curious to see these ‘STRANGE CREATURES FROM THE CORE OF THE EARTH’ type things. Are they Morlocks? Or in any way Morlock-like? That would be so cool. HG Wells is truly your brother in prophethood. Dear nameless fictional melodramatic kid, In any case, thanks for letting us know we appreciate your letter, as it brings attention to the plight of fictional melodra- about all this. It means we can prepare prop- matic children all over Iceland. Possibly some real ones, too, although we do hope erly for damnation. I have already started that’s not the case. Things are grim and all, but “fix everything for us before it gets making a cool APOCALYPSE playlist. It has Nas on it. And some Lemonheads. too cold?” Sheesh. That’s pretty over the top. Are you eating coal for breakfast yet? Anyway, here’s to you, kid, your drama and your ‘kid scrawl font’ letter. You can have that case of beer. It will keep you warm until Ms. Joly fixes everything. Beer Dear Grapevine always helps. And if things ever get so bad that we start seeing real versions of this letter, we I am a proud westfjordian, currently living will do our best to bring beer to all the cold children in Iceland. That’s a promise. in the capital of Iceland. I, like normal people, like music, food, and PS – If you’re reading this, Joly, we really wouldn’t mind you fixing everything, fake all that normal people stuff. Specially food, kid or not. You can have the fake kid’s beer if you do. in fact I like food so much I'd die for a home- made hamburger. But that's not my point! did to say: "we're sorry, sorry for ruining ble for an hour and twenty minutes – WITH Let's not talk about me, but more about your birthday" was 10% discount(not of ALCOHOL – was so goddamn awful. my problem. I, along 5 friends went to In- drinks, like beers and redwine to celebrate But yeah, we feel your pain. Things often Simply the most comprehensive dian Mango last month, a little restaurant birthdays) and free coffey. don’t go as one would wish them to. But you downtown. One of them was celebrating Well, I can say for sure that neither I, should cut the restaurant a little slack. Some- booking service in the City. her 22 birthday. And therefore we decid- or my friends are ever going there again, I times things just go wrong. I agree that a We specialize in customizing travel ed to go to this resturant. We came there could understand this if there was crowdy in better discount would have been in order, just around 8 pm, got our menus and just packages to suit your interests and needs. there, but no. The truth is that there were since you clearly asked for it, but not every- around 8:20 we ordered, nothing heavy that us, and two other tabels. one is a diplomat. Oh I don’t know. I hope We can arrange your accommodation, transfers, tours, flights would make the chef sweat! And I hope that you will publish this, but you find a group of more exciting friends, if and car rental, based on And then we waited... if not...atleast it's off my chest! nothing else. and a bit more... your requirements. EVJ And then a couple came in, ordered, they (by the way, Evj doesn’t sound like a par- waited for a few minutes and voilá! their Dear Evj, ticularly ‘Westfjordian’ name. At least in food came, they eat, payed and left. my neck of the fjords we’ve not heard of any as we waited... and just around 9:40 ish the jeez. You went to a restaurant and had to Evjs. Are you sure you’re from there?) food finally came wait for an hour for your food. Did you read The birthday-girl had seen a great part that imaginary kid letter? That kid is COLD. of her birthday go down the drain waiting Compared to him, your plight really doesn’t for food, well, if that's not fun, I don't know sound that bad. what! Also, you guys must be some seriously WELCOME CARD And the only thing that the restaurant boring people, since sitting together at a ta-

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Article | Transport

2012—though they admit they’d be satisfied with 20.000. To reach Gíslason’s even more modest estimate, Iceland would need to buy 19.989 electric cars in the next three years, since today there are only 11—with the 11th being Gíslason’s own. In other words, Gísli Gíslason, who today owns just over 9% of all electric cars in Iceland, only wants to own .005% and he wants Icelanders to help. Big numbers don’t scare Gíslason or the investors he claims to have lined up because, he argues, going electric isn’t part of a multi-energy solution for Iceland; it’s the only solution. Iceland has more than the required 50 megawatts of electricity it would take to transform the network. Secondly, NLE believes that the complicated engines found in gasoline and biofuel Why cars—with over a thousand moving parts—will inevitably be replaced by the simplicity of electric engines Iceland? (with only four moving parts). Lastly, Gíslason and his managing director, Iceland is an island, stupid Sturla Sighvatsson, argue that despite Which translates into an isolated the economic collapse, there’s never transportation system with a quantifiable been a better time to revolutionise: number of vehicles, somewhere in there’s a surge of talented but the 220,000-240,000 range. Unlike Steering Revolution unemployed engineers and the drastic in, for example, Luxemburg, where a The Impending Battle Over Space in Your Garage drop-off in car sales since 2007 will system overhaul would have to include translate into a fleet that needs renewal neighboring communities, Iceland can by 2011 or 2012. Late-night Laugavegur revellers may be that the future will be a multi-energy Added Tax. Short-term tax breaks, transform its system independently. But even though NLE’s goals forgiven for walking in ignorance past society, conference co-founder Teitur which the Icelandic government are national, the company will work the two green parking spots located Þorkelsson told me over coffee. approves yearly, don’t foster a business Ain’t nobody dope as me, I’m independent of the government. near the intersection of Ingólfsstræti. “All different sources of energy and environment that attracts long term just so fresh and clean “There’s been a lack of leadership Designated as an electric car refilling fuels will be used, depending on where investment. Iceland is already a world leader in green within the Icelandic government,” station, the set-up is, for the most part, you are,” Þorkelsson said. “I’m not a Furthermore, Iceland hasn’t energy production and consumption: Sighvatsson said. “We’re making a symbolic—on a recent visit, neither believer in monotheism.” offered the consumer perks other 90% of homes are heated by geothermal decision for the government.” of the cars parked in the spots were For Iceland in particular, Nordic countries have in order to get energy; 80% of the country’s energy For example, since Iceland lacks any hybrids (much less electric) and the Þorkelsson is a believer in biogas drivers out of their gas-guzzlers. For comes from hydropower stations; and kind of comprehensive regulations for charging post had been peppered with as an inexpensive and immediate instance, Norway lifted the VAT and 75% to 80% of the technically and taxing electricity meant for vehicles, graffiti. But for energy professionals, option. The island already produces a offers electric car owners free use of environmentally feasible reserves of NLE plans to install GPS units and this little corner on the drunkest street considerable amount of biogas from bus lanes and electricity. This spring hydro- and geothermal energy reserves onboard computers in all cars sold. in Reykjavík is the tip of the iceberg: waste material—enough to power the Norwegian Socialist Left Party have yet to be tapped for heavy industry. This will enable NLE to track not the first sign of a nationwide reform. 2.500 to 3.000 cars, he estimates. It’s even floated the idea of a ban on fossil- Yet. only what roads the driver takes, but As politicians, environmental a surprising figure when you consider fuel vehicles as soon as 2015. That kind how much and from where the car is organisations and private investors are there are only about 120 biogas of proactive approach has put 3,000 Icelanders like to get cozy being charged. Once the government keen to share, and there’s a long list of equipped vehicles in Iceland today. The electric cars on Norwegian roads. Consider the fact that as of January 1, wakes up to the energy revolution, the reasons why Iceland is one of the best unused majority of biogas is wastefully Whether biogas or electric, any 2009, roughly 320,000 people live in argument follows, they’ll be free to tap suited locations for the first national burned up in flares. kind of transportation revolution is still Iceland. Nearly 170,000 of them live into a pre-established data base for tax alternative-energy transportation The situation is different in Sweden at least a few years away Þorkelsson in the Reykjavík metropolitan area purposes. network. That’s fine and dandy, but for example, where biogas is harnessed argues: and 120,000 live in the city proper. However lucrative leading the the pressing questions of when, what, from sewage, sludge, landfills, and “The standard number for Seventy-five percent of this population government with a carrot and stick and how a transportation revolution industrial refuse, Þorkelsson says: “You exchanging the fleet takes about ten lives within 50 km of two hypothetical might be, it doesn’t always sound very will take place are still itching to be solve two problems at once: you get rid years. So from 2022 to 2030 at least alternative energy refueling stations. scrupulous: One of NLE’s immediate addressed. of waste in an environmentally sound half, and by 2030 possibly a majority, projects is to import 10 city buses for manner, and you make domestically of our cars will be running on electric Energy Revolution? No thing the Reykjavík system even though Your Mercedes will be produced fuel.” or biogas….Realistically, we will not see but a chicken wing they’ve yet to sign a contract with the powered by my gas “There’s been a growing hype any significant electric car purchases Iceland has already undergone one city itself. I asked Gíslason if he was The 3rd Annual Driving Sustainability about electric cars too,” Þorkelsson in Iceland for the next two years.” energy revolution and is well-equipped nervous about the purchase. Conference, which wrapped up a few adds with some hesitation. The to do so again. In the 1920s and 30s, a “I’m not afraid of the buses” he weeks ago in Reykjavík, attempts to problem is that for the next five to I’m not afraid of the buses majority of Iceland’s energy demands responded with a smile. “If the city address the subject both in Iceland seven years, electric cars will continue That just won’t do for Gísli Gíslason were met by imported coal and oil – an of Reykjavík doesn’t want [to buy] the and abroad. Roughly 200 delegates, 20 to be expensive, Þorkelsson estimates. of Northern Lights Energy (NLE), an unsustainable system that rendered the buses, they will never be able to say that nations and dozens of organisations Secondly, the Icelandic government, investment company built around island dependent. The government- they want to go green again.” including representatives of which has generally supported the the goal of transforming Iceland backed energy transformation that “It’ll be in the papers,” the environmental organisations, transformation, has lagged behind into an electric, and electric only, successfully weaned the island off managing director added, grinning engineering firms, ministries of on providing the sort of incentives transportation network in a matter imported energy was encouraged, and my way. industry and heads of state gathered to necessary to create a viable business of years, not decades. With charging highlighted, by the oil crisis of the 70s. discuss the topic. platform. Unlike biogas vehicles, stations slated for instalment as early One of the primary conclusions electric cars in Iceland are still as next year, NLE hopes to have 50.000 Michael Zelenko of this and the last two conferences is susceptible to the VAT, or the Value electric cars on Icelandic roads by Sales Office and Bus Terminal

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Authorised by Icelandic Tourist Board The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2009 8

Article | Wintersports Opinion | Valur Gunnarsson One Nation, One Party, One Bank Account? A year after the economic made their amendments, they still collapse and one can’t refused to support the bill, instead help notice that nothing electing to remain idle as the bill was has really changed. The passed. oligarchs, though officially bankrupt, No doubt they hope to accrue still control Iceland’s industries. Of political advantage from this. If the the two daily papers, one is run by the bill proves a relative success, they will main architect of the collapse, former claim credit for their amendments. PM and Central Bank Manager Davið If it proves a failure, they will claim Oddsson, and the other is still owned to never have supported it to begin by Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, one of the with. This argument, of course, can most indebted men in Iceland’s history. easily be stood on its head. There Free speech has been all but are no good solutions to Icesave, suspended, while no one has assumed only various degrees of bad. If worst responsibility for any of the decisions comes to worst, it will be because the made here in the past twenty years. Independence Party left the country Even the Icesave issue remains in a hopeless position. If the problem unresolved. Which brings us to the can be solved, it only proves that the question, are Iceland’s politicians current government is that much better merely incompetent, or could it be that than the last. they don’t actually want the current The Surprising Pleasures Of The North Atlantic problems solved? It seems the latter Party or People? might actually be the case. The Progressive Party is little better, Sea swimming in Iceland In a recent issue of Time Magazine, if slightly less obvious. On the same columnist Joe Klein calls the US day that the current government made Forget hot springs and hot tubs— the North Atlantic. “The first minutes self confidence to overcome obstacles in debate about Health Care a national their first real proposals, a lowering of it’s time to highlight a slightly more it’s really important to breathe, otherwise your life,” says Heimir. Apparently it’s embarrassment. Icelanders are no the debt of Icelandic families by up to daunting Icelandic activity. It’s time for there is risk that you start panicking and a very healthy way of exercising, at least strangers to national embarrassment, 40%, it was the Progressive Party that some sea swimming action. One might hyperventilating. So just think actively according to my sea swimming buddies. but let’s let Klein finish. He writes captured the headlines by announcing wonder why one would want to splash about the breathing,” explains Heimir. I must admit that after a while in the “Obama should be heartened by an imaginary loan from Norway. around in the freezing North Atlantic. While entering the water I do try water, it does start to get nice. Real nice. the fact that most of his Republican The Icesave fiasco is something Because believe me, it’s fucking cold. Still to remember the breathing part, only Although not necessarily physically, but adversaries oppose the bill for crass that was created by the previous the experience somehow manages to be to realise that I’m both panicking and definitely mentally. It remains unknown political rather than ideological government. Not wanting to see the totally awesome. hyperventilating in-between gruesome whether this emotion will help me reasons.” country’s problems solved, problems Dark clouds hovered above on the teeth chattering. I remember Benni’s overcome great obstacles in the long run, He then goes on to explain this, that were created by itself, is therefore particular day we chose to try it out; there words of wisdom: “If you decide to go but here and now it brings a wonderful saying that the Republicans are a case of the Independence Party was an icy breeze in the air. Standing in—just do it. Just go. Don’t hesitate. feeling of accomplishment. terrified that the healthcare bill will offending the people twice. But they on the shore, my toes in the cold sand, I Keep going until you find that peace and Fifty or so metres and approximately pass, not because they are afraid don’t stop there. The party still controls think to myself why, oh why am I here, balance in your body when you get used 4.5 minutes later, I’ve had enough and that the results will be a failure, but the city of Reykjavík, and from there when I could easily be in a number of to the water.” head back to the shore. You would think because they are afraid that it will be a are busy continuing their futile policies, other places. Warm places. There is some risk involving sea that entering the hot tub nearby would be success. If Obama manages to reform currently by selling off the energy Still. It’s 4 degrees Celsius, the water swimming in the cold waters of the heavenly after freezing your ass of in the health care, end America’s hopeless supplies and trying to tear down old temperature is a nice 7.5. It’s a lovely day Northern hemisphere. According to sea. Wrong. At first you’re shivering in wars and rescue the economy, in other houses in the city centre. for a swim in the sea. Þórarinn Sveinsson, senior physiology the hot water and you can’t feel whether words, pull the US out of the quagmire From a party-political perspective, Sea swimming has grown more lecturer at the University of Iceland, it’s hot or cold. However, after a few the Republicans have mired it in, the this makes sense. Eighteen years of the popular in Iceland over the past few years. hyperventilating causes a decrease minutes of adjusting it’s utter bliss. Democrats will be in an unassailable Independence Party rule led to national Most people in the Reykjavík area use the in swimming ability. And when the My main conclusion after trying out position for the foreseeable future. bankruptcy. If the Red-Green Alliance facilities around Nauthólsvík, a.k.a. the temperature in your arm muscles is sea swimming á la Iceland: the whole sea Therefore, the Republicans seem to manages to solve the major problems, artificial beach, mainly because those low, they get tired which means you versus hot tub thing does not exist. In have decided to put their own party's’ it will be the end of the Independence bring access to showers and a hot tub. have difficulty swimming. That really the end, both have lots of merit, and the political interests ahead of the good of Party’s dominance in Icelandic politics. So far this year, the number of visitors to just means that you’re at a higher risk of combo is the height of awesomeness. the nation. It is therefore understandable that it Nauthólsvík is five times what it was last drowning while swimming in cold North They would rather do harm to their chooses to put its own interests ahead year. “A few years ago people thought we Atlantic waters. adversaries than take part in doing of those of its country. It is also very were strange. It was almost like we didn’t Heimir and Benni assure me that good for their people. No wonder unfortunate. dare speak aloud of the fact that we sea sea swimming is, in fact, safe as long as bipartisanship has proven impossible swam. But this has changed now,” says you’re careful and up on your common on this or any other major issue. experienced sea swimmer Heimir Örn sense. Tips include: don’t swim alone, Sveinsson. “It’s been a long process but stay close to shore and listen to your body. The Good, the Bad after some positive media coverage, more and the Icesave people became curious and tried it out.” Surprisingly pleasurable Which brings us to Iceland. A year The only thing my body told me whilst after the October collapse, the Just do it submerging into the iciness is that it’s Independence Party has proven to Heimir Örn Sveinsson and Benedikt going really numb. The word COLD be as irresponsible in opposition as Hjartarson have both been active sea repeats itself in my mind in big bold it was in government. They spent all swimmers for years—they go several letters, but I push myself further until of summer squabbling about Icesave times a week, all year round, regardless I find myself swimming. Not only while the nation’s households sank of the weather. Neither ice nor snow will that, I’m enjoying it. “Sea swimming is deeper into debt. Even after they had stop them. They have promised to give extremely good for your body and mind. Louise Petersson me some pointers during my first dip in And by taking the challenge you obtain JULIA STAPLES

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09-17 RE-04 - 09:00 All year The Golden circle SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Don’t miss out on the fascinating experience the Golden Circle gives you. On this tour, you can walk around the world-famous Geysir area, a geothermal field where hot springs are in abundance, geysers explode and pools of mud bubble. Visit the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall along with a visit to Þingvellir national park, the original site of the oldest existing parliament in the world. There the great Atlantic rift is clearly visible, a rift that is slowly pulling Iceland apart along tectonic plates. Book now on www.re.is PRIcE ISK 8300 Book now by calling 580 5450 PRIcE 9800 ISK

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Seasonal 09-19 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN THU FRI SAT Take a ride to the top of the world on a There is no better way to start or end your Iceland´s South coast is ideal for nature snowmobile and see the amazing Sólheima- Our Gullfoss – Geysir & Langjökull Iceland adventure than by bathing in the lovers of all kinds. Spectacular scenery, jökull from above the larger Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobiling tour puts you in touch famous Blue Lagoon. striking waterfalls, stunning views of glaciers, glacier and be pleasantly surprised by the with some of Iceland’s most famous and black lava sand coastline, charming villages exciting natural phenomena. Piece de magnificent views. For our very flexible schedule please refer and impressive rock formations all day long. resistance an exhilarating 1 hour snowmobile This tour is not recommended for children to our brochures. ride accross enless white snowfields.

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RE-81 - 09:00 RE-05 - 13:00 RE-08 - 09:00 RE-24 - 12:30 Take a Walk on the Ice Side Reykjavík Grand Excursion Saga circle Gullfoss - Geysir Direct

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Want to see and feel something completely Get to know the capital with an expert by This tour is perfect for all Saga enthusiasts. In one afternoon you spend your time different? Why not take a walk on a glacier your side. We take you around Reykjavík On this tour we take you around the area encountering across-section of Iceland’s and experience a surface that you have with a guide and show you the highlights where one of the Icelandic Sagas took natural wonders and geological never been able to walk on before! Take a of the city. The tour ends at the National place - along with enjoying spectacular phenomena: the historical Þingvellir tour with us and try something new - museum of Iceland where you can see landscape. Come and follow in the national park, Geysir geothermal area and a once in a lifetime experience for most. Icelandic culture at its best. footsteps of the Vikings with us. the amazing Gullfoss waterfall.

PRIcE 3900 ISK PRIcE 14000 ISK Book now by calling 580 5450 Book now on www.re.is Book now on www.re.is PRIcE ISK Book now by calling 580 5450 PRIcE 17900 ISK PRIcE 4900 ISK PRIcE 17500 ISK 8600

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Interview | Media Opinion | Haukur Már Helgason Is Icelandic Media Being Held Hostage By Its Owners? Catastrophology The Grapevine got permission from its owners to investigate

is obviously always read with its party Q: Will they ever stop escape talk of billions in a safari or allegiance in mind, and Fréttablaðið has speaking about billions? by hiking through the silent eventless in recent years been accused of being in wilderness of glaciers. There will be the service of their previous owners, the A: Blablabla … billions a bill. Try travelling in an area where Baugur family. And why is that? Because … blablabla-blabla … billions and you don’t speak the language, you will there appears to be an affinity between billions and blabions, blablabions still hear billions mentioned on the these parties. Assume they do have these and blablablabions. Blablabions? radio, in the café, in your sleep—billions ties; then they should admit and come Blablablabions. This was a random sound the same everywhere. And yes, clean that even in the news there can be sample from Icelandic public debate they also speak of money in the third bias. In every Icelandic news story, there in 2007. Here comes a random sample world, especially when you’re around. will be this bias. anno 2009: BLABLABLA! BILLIONS! They may not mention billions right But you have to realise that no media BLABLABLA-BLABLA—BILLIONS away; you’d get a break from that, if can achieve total objectivity. Honesty, and AND BILLIONS, BLABIONS AND you travel in Burma, for example. But the search of objectivity is what you can BABLIONS, BABLION YOU! YOU they’ll be after your dollars, explicitly, demand of every journalist. BABLIONIC LITTLE BABLIONEE! on every street corner. You, who hardly have any. You’ll likely have Davíð Oddsson (former Central Bank Ontology is the field within philosophy to pay for food and lodging anyway where it is debated what exists, and one day anguish awaits you as Everyone knows it. The smallness of by people who like to see the news chairman and PM of Iceland for the and what it means for it to exist. your minor fractions of a billion have Iceland leads to almost everything being presented in a certain fashion. The only Independence Party) has been appointed Ontological debate is not needed for dispersed like … mercenaries. Those contaminated by personal connections thing that should be totally independent editor of Morgunblaðið. People were not those who follow the news at all: what opportunistic fractions. and considerations. Of course, the same is the state run TV and radio, which is happy. Why? exists is money. Even non-existent The same goes for other ideas: goes for the nation’s media—it’s affected. supposedly owned by the people. So this He is totally enmeshed in practically money, which is the most discussed pursuing your studies, given that Now, is the Icelandic media being held is the scene. every major problem that the Icelandic sort, exists in its own special, but all your field is neither business nor hostage by its owners and their interests, nation has encountered during the last too real way. economics, it won’t get you far away whatever those may be? Are there Some argue that even though there are twenty years. You simply cannot accept There used to be an escape from the world of billions anyhow. effective attempts to control and shape reputedly no more party papers, the him as an editor; it’s no use saying that he route. For the better half of the 20th Study literature and you will find that the local discourse? current media is still dependant on and a is not going to interfere in this and that. century, there were countries where since the lost generation, writers Since last year’s TOTAL ECONOMIC part of large power structures and actively To me, it’s a tragic blow to Icelandic mass people spoke of something besides have tended to stay in any country COLLAPSE, a lot of people have pointed takes sides… communication that this was allowed to money. According to historians, well, with an undervalued currency, fleeing their fingers squarely at the local media. Absolutely. I think so. It’s in a subtle happen. according to the pundits of neo- all booms like a herd. Paris became Critics say that there was very little critical manner, but they do take sides. There He was hired because the owners liberalism anyway, people in these popular when the Franc was low. Study analysis being done in the build up to the is no denying that there are strong ties admire his undisputed qualities. They places did not have much else to anything and you’ll spend the rest of fall, and that local journalists neglected between the Independence Party and agree with his opinions and they know speak about, no coffee-table items of your life applying for sponsorships and to review and investigate what was going Morgunblaðið. It’s been the organ of the he is a strong advocate of their interests. curiosity, and the little they had they stipendia. on due to political affiliations and/or party since its inception. Fréttablaðið They do it at the cost of the credibility dared not mention out of fear that Activism sounds wholesome and owner interests. A recent survey by the is constantly being accused of being of the paper, and a paper that has lost a secret agent might overhear, and neat, but perhaps you just don’t see local Market and Media Researching in service of the Social Democrats, or credibility is not of very much use. wrong words uttered in their presence yourself as an anarchist—perhaps you Agency shows that Icelanders’ faith in perhaps it’s the Social Democrats that are might get you a one way ticket to endorse hierarchies, you may not be their media averages at 18.9 percent. In in the power of the owners of Fréttablaðið. Why choose such a polarizing figure? Siberia. A cold and dreary place where anti-power as such, just anti-wrong- comparison, 35.8 percent of the nation The media is simply an integral part of It’s incomprehensible. Except that they people just worked, worked and powers. Anti-other-people’s-power. express no faith in their media. the ongoing power struggles. seem to be focused on their particular worked until they died, in the gloomy You may not like the dress code, their This can’t be normal, can it? At least interests and they do not have any inkling silence of a Kiesloski film. Well, at least noises, you may not like all the fun they we didn’t think so. So we consulted with As someone who's studied the Icelandic about journalism, they do not care about they did not have to suffer this endless, seem to be having and you’re not sure a scholar, Sociology Professor Þorbjörn media environment for years, do you feel journalism and they simply do not no but absolutely endless, delusional you’d get laid as an anarchist or that Broddason, who teaches media and ownership is an important factor? know what journalism is. It’s very sad. talk of imagined things. Imagined, the anarchists would like to lay you. journalism at the University of Iceland. Ownership is extremely important Morgunblaðið and the people would have made-up, gone with the wind, and still The police seem to get all worked up and always has been, simply because it been much better off had he not been as absolutely real as God used to be, about them—and besides, they seem to How does the Icelandic media work? interferes with freedom of expression. hired. as made clear with every second word be following the news too, getting all Icelandic mass media in many ways People are always looking over their uttered in this mad little place. worked up over other people’s money. resembles every other media system. shoulder—even if they don’t admit it, Finally: Is Icelandic media corrupt? Now, since there is no place to visit And you, you just want some peace. You’ve got all the ingredients. In even if they don’t admit it to themselves. No, the media is not corrupt, in the true East of the Wall anymore, for those It is not there. Our languages the printed press, we presently have They are held hostage by the owner; it sense of the word. It is very far from wanting a brief pause from these used to be warzones, but they were newspapers Morgunblaðið and is the owner who hires them. The mass perfection, but not corrupt. Icelandic absurd non-items of fascination, what conquered by billions. And then Fréttablaðið, tabloid DV and the business media may not be lying to you, but they journalists are decent people doing their is there to do? looted. There will be ceaseless talk of centred Viðskiptablaðið. The interesting may be giving you a certain version of best. Perhaps you’ve thought of staying billions everywhere until judgement thing is that all these papers wound up in reality. I don’t think Icelandic media is in somewhere alone for a while. That falls. Lucky for you, even if the 2008 the hands of entrepreneurs who had very For example, we were lead to believe any sense less professional than other may help—you can rent a cottage, or economic crisis fell short of being the strong interests to protect the Icelandic that banking was the only thing that countries’ media. Our problem is the even borrow a place somewhere on end of the world, a rumour is spreading financial system. The media used to be mattered in the country. There was smallness of the market and the proximity the countryside, there’s enough room in London that 2011 might just be hand in glove with the political system, a lack of critical analysis about this. of our relations. How would you think, as available in the small towns that used it. And if not, there is the looming what with party press and all, then they More strongly put, there was complete a journalist, when every mass medium to be fishing villages. Whether here ecological catastrophe. Just hang in became hand in glove with the financial absence of critical analysis. And when in this small country is laying off people? or there, though, can you be trusted there. system. there were any doubts raised, someone Would you rock the boat, would you print to think of anything else, even if you The owners of the printed press would jump up and complain, even make nasty things about the owners? No, you lock yourself up without radio and are simply different families of threats. Either by advertising boycotts or would think twice. You’ve got a mortgage internet, bring food, bring some books entrepreneurs; it’s all in the hands of threatening phone calls. and kids in kindergarten. This has simply of poetry and give no one the address, people who have invested in what is always made life difficult for Icelandic thoroughly hermitize for a few days? written. That doesn’t mean that all The local media is often accused being journalists. Furthermore: Can you afford it? journalists are bent or corrupt, we simply subjective. Why is that? Louise Petersson Tourists pay billions every year to have to realise that they are all employed Is it accused, or is it true? Morgunblaðið Julia Staples ATV/Quad tour by the Blue Lagoon Trip to the Moon You will experience nature in a different way!

You will experience Black sandy beach where Clint Eastwood made his film Flags of Our Fathers Fresh colours Hot homemade chocolate Bridge between two continents & design Oldest lighthouse in Iceland

Optional: Relax in the Blue Lagoon after the ATV tour

Apply the fresh colours and patterns of traditional Icelandic knitting to your handcraft. Daily at 10:00 from our base. Pick-up at 08:30 from your hotel in Keflavík or Reykjavík. Price 112 EUR per person for two people on a bike. Add 28 EUR for a bike for a single person. Add 17 EUR for the pick-up service. Duration: Flexable. Included: 3-4 hours ATV guided tour, lunch pack and all transportation.

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THE BIGGEST CLUB IN DOWNTOWN REYKJAVIK. LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEKEND. WWW.NASA.IS The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2009 12

Feature | Energy

Dagur B. Eggertsson, former Mayor of Reykjavík and Vice Chair of the Social Democrats, asserts that “now is probably the worst time in history to sell shares,” and criticizes the majority in the municipal government for failing to investigate alternate solutions. “It was not inevitable,” Dagur insisted. “During this period we have seen examples of big energy-related deals that have been turned over by the city government but the thing is that the two political parties in power in city hall now are the same parties that gave away Icelandic banks to their friends, so they have a reckless record with privatisation. Not all privatisation is bad but you can privatise in such a manner that everybody is losing, and that is the sad case of a lot of privatisation in Iceland.”

Who is Magma Energy? According to their website, Canadian Magma Energy Corp. is a “geothermal pure play focused on becoming THE pre-eminent geothermal energy company in the world.” With its hands in geothermal operations along the west coast of the United States, throughout South America and, most recently, in Iceland since its inception in early 2008, it would appear that Magma is indeed dedicated to achieving their lofty corporate goal of industry domination. “I’m an entrepreneur so I’ve started many, many companies, that’s what I do. This time around I wanted to build something green, so I looked at geothermal and it was just perfect, it just fit,” explained Ross Beaty, CEO of Magma Energy, of his foray into green energy following more than thirty years heading up precious metal mining companies. 4.399$ “I went to Iceland earlier this year and looked at opportunities and it seemed that HS Orka could benefit from capital infusion, reorganisation of its 9. 499$ shareholding to stronger positions and it looked like there was an opportunity to do something that would help us and help HS Orka and, in the big picture, help the country of Iceland.”

Strike while the nation is poor However, since Magma’s appearance on Iceland’s radar, their intentions have come under fire, with the general public seeming to doubt the Canadian firm’s interest in helping Iceland, rather than simply helping itself at Iceland’s with Magma and, along with Hafnarfjörður, sold expense. Earlier this year John Perkins, author of them 32.32%,” Júlíus further explained. So today Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, paid a visit Geysir Green Energy and Magma are proud to Iceland expressly to warn the nation of what owners of 55.2% and 43%, respectively, and four was to come. “You may be the first developed Blame Canada? country to really be hit by the hit men,” he said. municipalities hold on to just under 2% of HS Orka. “Like the people in Latin America [Iceland has] Geothermal energy, Swedish shelf companies incredible resources, the old fish industry and Was it inevitable? cheap energy. Energy and water are scarce This sale to Magma Energy has been in the works resources on the planet today. Iceland must and the privatisation of Iceland for sometime it would seem, with the wheels set protect its resources.” in motion with the Independence Party selling When confronted with claims that Magma One by one men in suits of varying shades of grey A brief but complicated history of the state’s share in Hitaveita Suðurnesja to their Energy is an economic opportunist, praying on approached the podium in the pit of the Reykjavík Hitaveita Suðurnesja cronies—infamous banksters Hannes Smárason, a country that is already on its knees following City Hall. One by one they pleaded their cases “Before this all started, in 2007, the state Bjarni Ármansson and Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson— the economic collapse, Mr. Beaty responded while Reykjavík’s esteemed mayor—the fourth owned 50.9% of [Hitaveita Suðurnesja], the at Geysir Green Energy to ensure transfer of what “that is ignorance and complete nonsense. It’s in two years—Ms. Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir municipalities owned the rest,” recounts Júlíus is now HS Orka to private hands. just because Icelanders don’t know what we’re looked on appearing disinterested in what Jónsson, CEO of HS Orka. “Then the state [run “In the beginning of 2007, the government all about and they don’t understand the world appeared to be solely a formality. As the council by the Independence Party] decided to sell their of the Progressive and Independence parties that we live in. We’re in Iceland because it has members continued selling the idea of selling shares to Geysir Green Energy [owned by the FL decided to put the state's share in Hitaveita opportunities for the long-term benefit where Iceland’s resources, a crowd of 100-strong grew Group, an Independence Party supporter].” Suðurnesja up for sale and barred public entities we can deploy capital and we can improve the more agitated and increasingly vocal from their By July 2007, Geysir and Independence Party from bidding,” said Þorleifur Gunnlaugsson, condition of an Icelandic company for the long perch in the viewing gallery of the hall, separated stronghold Reykjanesbær each owned roughly a Left-Green city councilman and Reykjavík term.” from having a say in their own natural resources a third of the company, Reykjavík Energy and Energy board member. “Representatives of those “We’re here because Iceland is a core by an aesthetically pleasing glass barrier. Hafnarfjörður each claimed a sixth and four same parties have now sealed the deal in the geothermal country that has great resources, “People were screaming, saying that the other municipalities owned just over 1% between municipal government. many of them untapped, and it’s simply a core politicians were traitors,” explained Jón Bjarki them. While it’s true that Reykjavík Energy’s partial business for us to get involved with countries Magnússon, a student who arrived at City Hall In June 2008, Alþingi passed new energy ownership of HS Orka contradicted Icelandic like that, be it Iceland, Indonesia, the Philippines just in time for the vote. “It was a weird feeling to laws that mandated the separation of private competition laws, critics have been questioning or, for that matter, North America,” said Mr. see it happen, to see these people down on the energy production from competitive operations the speed at which the deal was passed, the Beaty. “I particularly enjoy the hypocrisy of some floor raise their hands and the decision is made thus Hitaveita Suðurnesja was divided into HS lack of options presented to keep HS Orka in people who don’t want foreign companies to be and to see all these angry people above them not Veitur, managing distribution of electricity, water the hands of the public and the overall timing in Iceland but have no problem with Icelandic able to do anything.” and heat, and HS Orka, taking care of energy of the deal. Municipalities are, indeed, strapped companies going to other parts of the world to The September 15th city council meeting productions and sales. for cash in these trying economic times, but the do geothermal development, but that’s a whole stretched on for over three hours, during which Júlíus continued: “Then in July, 2009 value of green energy is such that it would seem different subject. There’s a lot of hypocrisy and time onlookers shouted and boo-ed as city Reykjanesbær sold all their shares in HS Orka to to be most sensible to hold on to it for dear life. a lot of finger pointing in situations like this, but council progressed toward approving the 32.32% Geysir Green Energy and bought all Geysir Green Or at least to consider doing so. that’s the way of the world I suppose.” sale of Iceland’s HS Orka to the Canadian-cum- Energy’s shares in HS Veitur. At that time Geysir The guaranteed revenue of owning a stake in Swedish firm Magma Energy Corp. Green Energy sold 10.78% to Magma Energy.” a geothermal plant could very well have proved Out with the old and… Reykjavík Energy had agreed to purchase According to press releases heralding this to be a life vest for drowning municipalities— back in with the old shares in HS Orka from Hafnarfjörður but the initial transaction between Magma and Geysir, times when the nation is in such a weakened The general concern that seems to be brewing Competition Authority prohibits the energy firm throughout the sale “Magma was advised by financial state are also those in which interested around Magma Energy’s involvement in Iceland from owning shares in competitors, explained Glacier Partners… and its affiliate Capacent parties are going to suss out the most lucrative is not unfounded, however, as the deal struck the Progressive Party’s Óskar Bergsson. “It is my Glacier… and Mannvit Engineering provided a deal for themselves, possibly paying far less than with Reykjavík Energy reeks of the economic opinion that the sale was necessary to comply third-party evaluation of HS Orka's operations.” the resources are worth. wheelings and dealings that led to the collapse with the law, solve a dispute with a neighbouring Interestingly, Geysir’s Director of Business Júlíus noted that there were, at one time, as precisely one year ago. municipality and strengthen the financial status Development, Davíð Stefánsson, is also a Partner many as thirteen parties interested in purchasing The Share Sale and Purchase Agreement of [Reykjavík Energy].” at Capacent Consulting, focusing on corporate the shares in HS Orka, but only two offers were entered into by Reykjavík Energy and Magma They had no choice, they said. It was a strategy in the energy sector, and Mannvit made and there was allegedly no comparison. Energy Sweden AB reads: “Payment of the done deal, they said. It is a wise move for the Engineering is a shareholder in Geysir Green No information on the second bidder in this case Purchase Price shall be by: (i) wire transfer of ISK Icelandic economy, they said. And so the sale Energy. It’s curious, therefore, how Capacent has been made public, but their offer must have 3,616,988,813… and (ii) delivery to Arctica… of a was approved; three protestors, including Jón and Mannvit were deemed suitably objective to been laughable if not strong enough to rival bond issued by the Buyer in favour of the Seller… Bjarki, were arrested; and the mayor, along with advise Magma Energy through their purchase of the appallingly low deal wrangled by Magma, evidencing an aggregate indebtedness of an her councilmen and women celebrated the sale shares from Geysir Green Energy. explained below. amount in USD equivalent to ISK 8,439,640,562 with a champagne toast behind closed doors. “Then Reykjavík Energy made their contract Music, Art, Films and Events Listings + Eating, Drinking and Shopping + Map Your essential guide to life, travel and entertainment in Iceland. Issue 16 2009 www.grapevine.is

Sequences 2009 is just 22.00: Room 408, an interactive live (FI) at Iðnó Theatre. around the corner, so pre- performance by Room 408- Hrafnhildur 18.00: Ingibjörg Magnadóttir (IS) at Iðnó Hagalín & Steinunn Knútsdóttir (IS) at Theatre. pare yourself for awesome SEQUENCES House of Ideas. 20.00-23.00: Evening programme at Lost cutting-edge visual art all Horse Gallery. over Reykjavík. This annual Sunday 1st November At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat Real-time Art Festival independent art festival 14.00: ‘I-Projector’. Performance by Line Ramfelt (NO). Comodin Silverhammar Curates, perfor- focuses on time-based arts Ellegaard (DK) at Lost Horse Gallery. 14.30: American Meat LLC (US) at Reyk- mances with students from the Iceland in public spaces with special javik Harbour, Miðbakki. Academy of the Arts. emphasis on performances, 15.00: Artist talk with Egill Sæbjörnsson 21.00 - 23.00: Hairdressing Night by Rita sonic works AND video art (IS) at Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus. Canarezza & Pier Paolo Coro (IT/RSM) at various venues. to create a cross-platform 16.30: Performance by Sequences 2009 honorary artist Magnús Pálsson (IS) at for these art forms. Se- Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus. Saturday 7th November quences takes place in At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat 15.00: PPPTPC – Center for Publicity by various venues in town and Ramfelt (NO) at Lost Horse Gallery. Berglind Jóna (IS) & Etienne de France it involves both Icelandic 19.00- 19.30: ・S・C・O・U・R・G・E・. Perfor- (FR) at Lækjargata – Mæðragarður. mance by Melkorka Huldudóttir at Dwarf American Meat LLC (US). and international artists. Gallery. 16.00 - 18.00: Open Masterclass with So get out there, celebrate 20.00: Entertainment Island II, Oblivia (FI) Ásmundur Ásmundsson (IS) and Snorri and check out the latest at Iðnó Theatre. Ásmundsson (IS) at MR – Lækjargata. developments in the field 21.00: Ingibjörg Magnadóttir (IS) at Iðnó 17.00: THE ONE LETTER DELIVERY Theatre. SHOW, Parfyme (DK) at Hverfisgata 37. of contemporary visual At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat art. LP Monday 2nd November Ramfelt (NO) at Lost Horse Gallery. Sequences 2009- Lecture Series at the 20.00: Closing Party @ the Nordic House Friday 30th October Nordic House. See: www.sequences.is This dumb region of the heart by Páll 18.00: Opening of (made up and let 18.00: Low by Björk Viggósdóttir (IS) in Haukur Björnsson (IS) down) at Lost Horse Gallery by artists collaboration with Sigríður Soffía Níelsdót- 20.30: performance by Maurice Blok (FI). Anita Wernstrom (SE), Line Ellegaard tir (IS) at National Gallery of Iceland. 21.00: performance by Spartacus Chet- (DK), Malin Stahl (SE), Pernille Leggat 20.00- 22.00: Evening programme at Lost wynd (UK) Ramfelt (NO) & Sofia Dahlgren (SE). Horse Gallery. 21.30: Portrait painting by Dough Warrior, 18.00- 18.45: Imagined Death. Perfor- At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat Soren Dahlgaard (DK) mance by Anita Wernstrom (SE) Ramfelt (NO). At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat 20.00: ‘I-Projector’. Performance by Line Ongoing projects: Ramfelt (NO). Ellegaard (DK). 20.00: SEQUENCES 2009 - open- 21.00: Imagined Death. Performance by Icelandic Love Corporation, Black Swans ing reception at Reykjavik Art Museum Anita Wernstrom (SE). Hafnarhus. at Kling & Bang gallery 20.30: Performance by SEQUENCES 2009 (17. Oct. - 15. Nov. 2009). Open: Tuesday 3rd November honorary artist Magnús Pálsson (IS) at Thursday-Sunday 14.00-18.00. Sequences 2009- Lecture Series at the Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus. Nordic House. See: www.sequences.is 21.30: Performance by Sigurður Gudjóns- Egill Sæbjörnsson, Spirit of Place and Nar- son (IS) at House of Ideas. rative at Reykjavik Art Museum – Hafnar- 22.00- 00.00: Performance party at House Wednesday 4th November hus (29 Oct. 2009 – 3. Jan 2010). Open: of Ideas: American Meat LLC (US), This Sequences 2009- Lecture Series @ the every day from 10.00 – 17.00, Thursday dumb region of the heart by Páll Haukur Nordic House. See: www.sequences.is 10.00 – 22.00. Björnsson (IS) and performance by At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat Ramfelt (NO) at Lost Horse Gallery. Spartacus Chetwynd (UK) and Maurice Halldór Úlfarsson at Islensk Grafík Gallery 18.00-22.00: Open studios at SIM Selja- Blok (FI). (31. Oct – 7. Nov 2009). vegur. This dumb region of the heart by Páll Haukur Björnsson (IS). Saturday 31st October 20.00: Performance by Maurice Blok (FI). (made up and let down) at Lost Horse 14.00: Performance piece Air by Prinz Gallery (30. Oct – 7. Nov 2009). Gholam (DE) at Reykjavik Maritime Museum. Thursday 5th November Parfyme, THE ONE LETTER DELIVERY 15.00: Performance by Spartacus Chet- 15.00: Imagined Death. Performance SHOW, at Hverfisgata 37 wynd (UK) at House of Ideas. by Anita Wernstrom (SE) at Lost Horse (31. Oct – 7. Nov 2009). 16.00: Video Screening Event at Reg- Gallery. nboginn Cinema. Includes work by the 17.00: Video Screening Event at Regn- Icelandic Love Corporation (IS), Curver boginn Cinema. Includes work by the Páll Haukur Björnsson, This dumb region (IS) and An Exquisite Corpse in Nikisialka Icelandic Love Corporation (IS), Curver of the heart. Pick up at House of Ideas by 16 Icelandic & Polish artists. (IS) and An Exquisite Corpse in Nikisialka Friday 30th October 22.00; at SIM Selja- 17.00: Opening Office, Parfyme (DK) at by 16 Icelandic & Polish artists. vegur Wednesday 4th November 18.00; at Hverfisgata 37. At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat the Nordic House Saturday 7th November 18.00: PPPTPC – Center for Publicity by Ramfelt (NO) at Lost Horse Gallery. 20.00. Berglind Jóna (IS) & Etienne de France 20.00: The Mind, Performance by Egill (FR) at Lækjargata – Mæðragarður. Sæbjörnsson (IS) in collaboration with Ásmundur Ásmundsson and Snorri Ás- At dusk: ‘day for night’, Pernille Leggat Marcia Moraes at Reykjavik Art Museum mundsson, Masterclass, at MR Ramfelt (NO) at Lost Horse Gallery. Hafnarhus. (30. Oct – 7. Nov 2009). Open: Saturday Soren Dahlgaard will 19.00- 19.30: ・S・C・O・U・R・G・E・. Perfor- 7th Nov. 16.00. have an performance mance by Melkorka Huldudóttir at Dwarf Friday 6th November Gallery. 16.00: For Hairdressing Night by Rita PPPTPC – Center for Publicity by Berglind at the Sequences 20.00: Opening of næstum því ekki neitt Canarezza & Pier Paolo Coro (IT/RSM). Festival on Saturday Jóna (IS) & Etienne de France (FR) and performance by Halldór Úlfarsson at A meeting with Svanbjörg Hróbjartsdóttir, at Lækjargata – Mæðragarður. Open 7th November, 21.30 Islensk Grafík Gallery. home/hairdresser, Laugarnesvegur 96, from 14- 18 and online at: http://pptpc. in the Nordic House 21.00: Video projection by Andrew Bur- 101 Reykjavik. blogspot.com/ gess at Concert & Conference Centre. 17.00: Entertainment Island II by Oblivia MUSIC CONCERTS & NIGHTLIFE

Prescribing with love 22:00 Bloodgroup and Sykur. 20:00 Grassroots Night. Thorvaldsen Dubliner music for your live 22:00 Live DJs. 22:30 Live Music. University of Iceland Grand Rokk experience 20:00 Oktober “hillbilly” Fest: 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. Legendary Icelandic pop band, Hemmi & Valdi How to use the listings Skítamórall, celebrate their 20th 22:00 Live Music. Venues are listed alphabetically by day. year together. Hressó For complete listings and detailed 19:00 Iceland Airwaves. information on venues visit 11 Jacobsen www.grapevine.is SUN 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. Kaffibarinn Café Rósenberg 21:30 DJ CasaNova. 9 22:00 Bjarni Þór Album release NASA FRI show. 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. Café Rót Prikið Bakkus 16:00 Dance Sunday. Tango at 16:00 10:00 Rock’n’Bacon with Retro 22:00 Your Favorite DJ (DJ Musi- cian). and Lindy-hop at 20:00. Stefson. DJ Krúsi spins at night. B5 Dubliner Sódóma 22:00 Dj Simon Gorilla Funk. 22:30 Live Music. 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. Bar 11 Kaffi Zimsen 22:00 DJ Matti. 22:00 Movie night. 15 Café Rósenberg Prikið THU 22:00 Krummafótur. 23:00 Hangover Cinema screening Café Rót Matilda. Free popcorn. Bar 11 20:00 Life Without Alcohol: Music Seltjarnarneskirkja 22:00 Airwaves Off Venue: Hark and lecture. 16:00 Fílharmónía Folk Singers. and guest. Celtic Cross Admission fee. B5 01:00 Live Music. 21:00 Live Music. Cultura 12 Bakkus 22:00 House DJs. MON 22:00 DJ Einar Sonic. Dubliner Bar 11 22:30 Live Music. Café Rósenberg 22:00 Kreppa Nights with Live Mu- English Pub 22:00 Brunjar-Þórunn Pálína sic. Beer and shots for 400ISK. 22:00 Live Music. Band. Batterííð Grand Rokk Café Rót 20:00 Iceland Airwaves Festival. See 22:00 Gogoyoko presents Grapevine 21:30 Rootmovies screening The icelandairwaves.com for full sched- Grand Rokk: Jeff Who?, Morðing- Cabinet of Dr. Cagliari by Robert ule. jarnir, Feldberg and Mr. Fogg. Wiene. Café Rósenberg Admission 1000ISK. 22:00 Thin Jim and the Cast- Hafnarhúsið Dubliner 22:30 Live Music. aways. 22:00 Imagine Peace: Concert in Cultura memory of John Lennon. Kaffi Zimsen 21:00 Best Friends Day. 2 for 1 beer. 22:00 House DJs. Hemmi & Valdi Dubliner 22:00 Local DJ. Prikið 22:00 DJ Gauti. 22:30 Live Music. Hressó English Pub 22:00 Menn Ársins and DJ Bjarni. 22:00 Live Music. Jacobsen 13 TUE Fríkirkjan 22:00 Hard Candy Night: Anna 22:00 Iceland Airwaves. Rakel and Ýr with LHÍ Party. Bakkus Grand Rokk Kaffibarinn 21:00 Sultan Eldmóður video per- 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. 23:00 The Airwaves Tickle # 3 Cap- formance and troubadour. Iðnó tain Fufanu and Alfons X. Café Rosenberg 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. Kaffi Zimsen 22:00 BOBA. Hressó 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. 19:00 Iceland Airwaves. NASA Dubliner Jacobsen 00:00 Hjálmar Album Release 22:30 Live Music. 22:00 Iceland Airwaves. Concert. Admission 1500ISK Kaffibarinn Oliver 21:30 The Airwaves Tickle # 4 Kaffibarinn 23:00 Salsa Mix Party and Ladies FKNHNDSM DJs. 16:00-19:00 Bedroom Community night. Oliver Day Program: Nico Muhly (US), Prikið 22:00 Live Karaoki with Trúbador Puzzle Muteson (UK). 22:00- 22:00 Árni Kacoon and East- Raggi. 01:00 DBF & Terrordisco. Coast. Prikið Kaffi Zimsen Sódóma 22:00 Kokteilbandið. 22:00 Ólafsvaka night. Beer for 490 22:00 Alice in Chains Tribute show ISK. featuring Hoffman. NASA Thorvaldsen 14 WED 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. 22:00 DJ Jay Arr. Oliver University of Iceland Bar 11 22:00 Beer for 500 ISK. 16:00 German-style October Fest: 22:00 Airwaves Off Venue: Bad Prikið Cheap Beer, a lot of people, brat- Carburetor, Show Gun, Nevolu- 10:00 Rock’n’Bacon with Cliff wurst and fun until dawn. tion and Noise. Clavin. DJ Árni spins at night. Bakkus Reykjavík Art Museum 10 22:00 Kino Klúbbur presents Drunk 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. SAT Dreamin’ The Outlaw Dancer, Sódóma Jesco White. 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. Bakkus Batterííð Thorvaldsen 22:00 DJ Benson is fantastic. 19:30 Iceland Airwaves Festival. See 20:30 Salsa & Mojito night. Free sal- B5 icelandairwaves.com for full sched- sa lessons and mojitos for 1000ISK. 22:00 Dj Jay Oh! ule. Bar 11 Café Rósenberg www.islenskibarinn.is • [email protected] 22:00 DJ Biggi Maus. 22:00 South River Band. The Icelandic Bar • Austurvöllur • Reykjavík • Tel: 578 2020 Café Rósenberg Café Rót 22:00 Baggalútur. Celtic Cross 01:00 Live Music. Cultura Music & Entertainment | Venue finder 22:00 House DJs. Dubliner Amsterdam Dubliner Nýlenduvöruverzlun Hemma Hafnarstræti 5 | D3 Hafnarstræti 4 | D3 & Valda 22:30 Live Music. Laugavegur 21 | F5 Experience great cuisine English Pub Apótek English Pub 22:00 Live Music. Austurstræti 16 | E3 Austurstræti 12 | E3 Næsti Bar accompanied by a breathtaking view Grand Rokk B5 Glaumbar Ingólfstræti 1A | E5 20:00 Mammút, Cliff Calvin, Sud- Bankastræti 5 | E4 Tryggvagata 20 | D3 Óliver …in the tallest building in Iceland den Weather Change, Showgun Babalú Grand Rokk Laugavegur 20A | F5 and others. Skólavörðustígur 22 | F5 Smiðjustígur | E5 Ölstofan Hemmi & Valdi Batterí Highlander Vegamótastígur | F5 22:00 Local DJ. Hafnarstræti 1-3 | D3 Lækjargata 10 | F3 Prikið Hressó Bankastræti | F5 22:00 DJ Bjarni. Bar 11 Hressó Laugavegur 11 | E5 Austurstræti 20 | E4 Rósenberg Jacobsen Klapparstígur 25 | F6 22:00 FM Management, DJ Em- Barbara Hverfisbarinn erson, Micro.fon, Berlin Groove Laugavegur 22 | F6 Hverfisgata 20 | E5 Sódóma Reykjavík Tryggvagata 22 | D3 Connection. Bjarni Fel Jacobsen Kaffibarinn Austurstræti 20 | E4 Austurstræti 9 | E3 Sólon Bankastræti 7A | E4 23:45 Már & Níelsen. Boston Kaffi Hljómalind Kaffi Zimsen Laugavegur 28b | F6 Laugavegur 23 | F6 Thorvaldsen Enjoy weekend brunch 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. Café Cultura Kaffi Zimsen Austurstræti 8 | E3 NASA Hverfisgata 18 | E5 Hafnarstræti 18 | E4 Vegamót or delicious buffet 00:00 Techno.is. Café Paris Kaffibarinn Vegamótastígur 4 | F5 Prikið Austurstræti 14 | E3 Bergstraðastræti 1 | F5 for a quality price 22:00 4-Deck Madness with DJ B Balthazar Karamba Ruff and Gilli Galli. Hafnarstræti 1-3| D3 Laugavegur 22 | F6 Seltjarnarneskirkja Celtic Cross London/Reykjavík Open everyday from 11 AM - 2 PM 16:00 Fílharmónía Folk Singers. Hverfisgata 26 | E5 Tryggvagata 22 | D3 Admission fee. Dillon NASA Smáratorgi 3 Sódóma next to Smaralind mall 201 Kópavogi Tel. 575 7500 [email protected] www.veisluturninn.is Laugavegur 30 | F6 Þorvaldsenstræti 2| E3 Jacobsen 20 16 23:00 Iceland Airwaves. TUE FRI Kaffibarinn 16:00-19:00 Bedroom Community Café Rósenberg Bakkus Day Program: Daníel Bjarnason 22:00 Fabúla. 22:00 DJ Kári. (ÍS), Olivia Petroli (CH), Helgi Oliver B5 Hrafn Jonsson (ÍS). 00:00-05:00 22:00 Live Karaoke with Trúbador 22:00 DJ Jay Oh! Hunk of Man. Raggi. Bar 11 Kaffi Zimsen 22:00 Airwaves Off Venue: Green 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. Lights, Cosmic Call and NASA 21 Weapons. 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. WED Batterííð Prikið 20:00 Iceland Airwaves Festival. See Bakkus 22:00 Addi Intro and Hundarnir. 22:00 Rafskinna Film Night. icelandairwaves.com for full sched- Reykjavík Art Museum ule. Café Rósenberg 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. 22:00 Soffía Karlsdóttir. Café Rósenberg Sódóma Café Rót 22:00 Hvanndalsbraður. 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. 20:00 Salsa Night. Café Rót Thorvaldsen Dubliner 20:00 Young Catz. 22:00 Live DJs. Celtic Cross 22:30 Live Music. 01:00 Live Music. 18 Hemmi & Valdi Cultura SUN 22:00 Live Music. 22:00 House DJs. Kaffibarinn Dubliner Café Rósenberg 22:00 DJ Benson is fantastic. 22:30 Live Music. 22:00 Hafdís Huld Album release Prikið English Pub show. 22:00 DNA Night. 22:00 Live music. Café Rót Fríkirkjan 17:00 Live Music. 22 22:00 Iceland Airwaves. Dubliner THU 22:30 Live Music. Grand Rokk B5 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. Hressó 19:00 Live Music. 21:00 Live Music. Hemmi & Valdi Bakkus 22:00 Airwaves Off Venue: Live Kaffibarinn 21:00 Calm Down Party. 22:00 DJ Geiri. Music. Bar 11 Kaffi Zimsen Hressó 22:00 Kreppa Nights with live music. 19:00 Iceland Airwaves. 22:00 Movie night. Beer and shots for 400ISK. Iðnó NASA Café Rósenberg 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. 20:00 Iceland Airwaves Festival. See 22:00 Mogadon. Jacobsen icelandairwaves.com for full sched- Café Rót 21:00 Iceland Airwaves. ule. 20:00 Open Mic Night. Kaffibarinn Prikið Cultura 16:00-19:00 Bedroom Community 23:00 Hangover Cinema screening 22:00 House DJs. Day Program: Borgar Magnason Wild At Heart. Free popcorn. Dubliner & Kippi Kaninus (IS), Valgeir Sódóma 22:30 Live Music. Sigurðsson (ÍS). 00:00-05:00 Jack 20:50 Iceland Airwaves. English Pub Schidt & Kasper Björke. 22:00 Live Music. Kaffi Zimsen 19 Hitt Húsið 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. MON 20:00 The Sleeping Prophets. NASA Hresso 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. Café Rót 22:00 Böddi & Davið and Dalton. Prikið 21:00 Rootmovies screening Phan Jacobsen 10:00 Rock’n’Bacon with XXX tom by F.M.Murnau. 22:00 YoungCatz Night with Captain Rottweiler. Danni Deluxxx & Café Rósenberg Fafanu, Sykur and Jungle Fiction. ATG Crew spin at night. 22:00 Krístjana Stefáns Blues Reykjavík Art Museum Band. Kaffi Zimsen 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. Dubliner 22:00 Ólafsvaka night. Beer for 490 Sódóma 22:30 Live Music. ISK. Oliver 20:00 Iceland Airwaves. Kaffi Zimsen 22:00 Beer for 500 ISK. Thorvaldsen 21:00 Best Friends Day. 2 for 1 beer. 22:00 Live DJs. Prikið 22:00 Kokteilbandið. . 17 SAT Bakkus 22:00 DJ Arni Sveins. B5 22:00 Dj Einar. Bar 11 22:00 Airwaves Off Venue: Swive, Pontiak Pilatus and Vicky. Batterííð 20:00 Iceland Airwaves Festival. See icelandairwaves.com for full sched- ule. Café Rósenberg 22:00 Hvanndalsbraður. Celtic Cross 01:00 Live Music. Cultura 22:00 House DJs. Dubliner 22:30 Live Music. English Pub 22:00 Live Music. Grand Rokk 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. Hemmi & Valdi 20:00 Airways Off Venue + One Night Only: Blues Willis & Alli and Útlagarnir. Hresso Tel +354 577 60 50 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. www.sixt.is Iðnó 19:30 Iceland Airwaves. Cultura Prikið MUSIC 22:00 House DJs. 21:00 V.I.P. Weekend with DJ Danni. Dubliner Happy hour with beers and shots for 22:30 Live Music. 350ISK. OCTOBER/ Thorvaldsen 22:00 Live DJs. NOVEMBER 28 WED 1 Bakkus SUN – continued – 22:00 Kino Klúbbur presents Drunk Dreamin’ double feature American Café Rósenberg 22:00 Tropicala Sveit Kristinar Thorvaldsen Movie and Coven. Dagsdóttir. 22:00 Mojito Night. Mojitos for Café Rósenberg 1000ISK and beer for 500ISK. 22:00 Hannes. Cultura Cultura 22:00 House DJs. 23 22:00 House DJs. Dubliner FRI Dubliner 22:30 Live Music. 22:30 Live Music. B5 Hemmi & Valdi 2 22:00 Dj Simon GorillaFunk. 22:00 Live Music. MON Bar 11 Kaffibarinn 23:45 DJ Benson is fantastic. Café Rósenberg 22:00 DJ Biggi Maus. 22:00 Reykjavík Blues Festival. Bakkus Prikið 22:00 Fight Night. Cultura 22:00 DJ Unnur Andrea. 22:00 House DJs. Café Rósenberg Dubliner 22:00 Jagúar. 29 THU 22:30 Live Music. Celtic Cross Kaffi Zimsen 01:00 Live Music. B5 21:00 Best Friends Day. 2 for 1 beer. Cultura 21:00 Live Music. 22:00 House DJs. Bar 11 3 Dubliner 22:00 Kreppa Nights with live music. TUE 22:30 Live Music. Beer and shots for 400ISK. English Pub Bakkus Café Rósenberg 22:00 Live Music. 22:00 DJ Einar Sonic. 22:00 South River Band. Grand Rokk Café Rósenberg Cultura 22:00 Live Music. 22:00 Hannes. 22:00 House DJs. Hemmi & Valdi Cultura Dubliner 22:00 Local DJ. 22:00 House DJs. 22:30 Live Music. Hresso Dubliner 22:00 Penta and DJ Bjarni. 22:30 Live Music. 4 Jacobsen English Pub WED 22:00 DJ Kári. 22:00 Live Music. Kaffi Zimsen Hressó Bakkus 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. 22:00 Jogvan & Vignir. 22:00 Slash & GORE Film Night Prikið Jacobsen & Kino Klúbbur presents Jon 22:00 Open mic with DJ Krúsi. 22:00 Oomph Oomph Night. Springer’s Hagstone Demon. Sódóma Kaffi Zimsen Café Rósenberg 22:00 FM 957: Á Móti Sól. 22:00 Krístjana Stefáns Blues 22:00 Ólafsvaka night. Beer for 490 Thorvaldsen ISK. Band. 22:00 Live DJs. Prikið Cultura 22:00 House DJs. 22:00 DJ Krúsi. 24 Sódóma Dubliner 22:30 Live Music. SAT 22:00 Shadow Parade. Thorvaldsen Sódóma B5 22:00 Mojito Night. Mojitos for 22:00 Diversion Sessions and 22:00 DJ Funky Fleivur. 1000ISK and beer for 500ISK. guests. Bar 11 22:00 DJ Matti. 5 Bakkus 30 FRI THU 22:00 DJ Óli Dóri. Bar 11 Café Rósenberg B5 22:00 Jagúar. 22:00 Kreppa Nights with live music. 22:00 DJ Einar. Beer and shots for 400ISK. Celtic Cross Bar 11 01:00 Live Music. Café Rósenberg 22:00 DJ Matti. 22:00 Fabúla. Cultura Bakkus 22:00 House DJs. Cultura 22:00 DJ Ívar Pétur. 22:00 House DJs. Dubliner Café Rósenberg VÍKIN MUSEUM CAFÉ 22:30 Live Music. Dubliner 22:00 Andrés Þór Viking Show. 22:30 Live Music. English Pub Celtic Cross Traditional Icelandic delicacies! 22:00 Live Music. English Pub 01:00 Live Music. 22:00 Live Music. Grand Rokk Cultura Hressó 22:00 Live Music. 22:00 House DJs. 22:00 Böddi and Davíð. Hemmi & Valdi Dubliner Jacobsen OPENING HOURS: 22:00 Local DJ. 22:30 Live Music. 22:00 Breakbeat.is. Hresso Summer (June 1st – September 14th) English Pub Kaffi Zimsen 22:00 Dalton and DJ Elli. 22:00 Live Music. 22:00 Ólafsvaka night. Beer for 490 Daily from 11am to 5pm Jacobsen Grand Rokk ISK. 22:00 Surprise Party. Winter (September 15th – May 31st) 22:00 Halloween Night Concert. Sódóma Kaffibarinn Tuesdays – Sundays from 1pm to 5pm Hemmi & Valdi 22:00 Hoffman Album Release 23:45 Sexy Lazer. hönnun hönnun PORT 22:00 Local DJ. concert. Kaffi Zimsen Hressó Thorvaldsen 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. 22:00 Jogvan & Vignir and DJ Elli. 22:00 Mojito Night. Mojitos for Prikið Jacobsen 22:00 Your Friend D. 1000ISK and beer for 500ISK. 22:00 Halloween Party Round One. Sódóma Kaffi Zimsen 22:00 Severed Crotch and guests. 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. VÍKIN Thorvaldsen Prikið 22:00 Live DJs. 21:00 V.I.P. Weekend with DJs Elín, 18 Addi and Árni. Happyhour with Okt. MUSEUM BY THE SEA 25 beers and shots for 350ISK. MARITIME MUSEUM | GRANDAGARÐI 8 | REYKJAVÍK SUN Thorvaldsen WWW.SJOMINJASFN.IS Café Rósenberg 22:00 Live DJs. 22:00 Hek. Cultura 31 22:00 House DJs. SAT Dubliner 22:30 Live Music. B5 Hafdís Huld Album Kaffibarinn 22:00 DJ Funky Fleivur. Release 23:45 Alfons X. Bar 11 Prikið 22:00 Gulli Ósama. Café Rosenberg 22:00 23:00 Hangover Cinema screening Bakkus Waterworld. Free popcorn. 22:00 DJ Uföll. Price: TBA Café Rósenberg 22:00 Andrés Þór Viking Show. Hafdís Huld floats in to Café Rosenberg 26 MON Celtic Cross on a cloud of pink dresses, colorful 01:00 Live Music. buttons, and adorable headbands to Shish Kebab Café Rósenberg Cultura launch her new album, Synchronised 22:00 Mamiko-Tofolk-Lore. 22:00 House DJs. Swimmers. Former member of electronic Falafel Café Rót Dubliner darlings Gus Gus, Hafdís branched off 22:30 Live Music. 21:00 Rootmovies screening Der into a decidedly pop-y direction a few Golem, wie er in die Welt kam by English Pub Shawerma years back. The move turned out to be Carl Boese & Paul Wenger. 22:00 Live Music. Cultura Grand Rokk a smart one: As well as winning Iceland 22:00 House DJs. 22:00 Live Music. Music Awards’ Album of the Year in Dubliner Hemmi & Valdi 2007, Hafdís has been touring across 22:30 Live Music. 22:00 Local DJ. Europe with a number of well-respected Kaffi Zimsen Hressó artists, appearing in commercials and 21:00 Best Friends Day. 2 for 1 beer. 22:00 Ímynd and DJ Bjarni. starring in Icelandic films. Jacobsen Discovering Hafdís’ upbeat 22:00 Halloween Party Round Two. 27 melodies and child-like voice is like TUE Kaffi Zimsen Veltusund 3b, v.Ingólfstorg 22:00 DJs Nino and Dramatík. finding a treasure-trove of toys. s: 445 4445 Café Rósenberg Rosenberg’s cozy atmosphere might 22:00 Svavar Knútur. well be the best venue for such a playful, intimate experience. MZ 10 31 Okt. Okt.

Klink Dillon Back at the arse end of the 20th century, Guð blessi Ísland // before even malignant rumours of the band’s creation started to slither out She’s Cold as Ice… God Bless Iceland – from the rancid bowels of hell, Icelandic Documentary mothers would set their offspring afright Kaffi Zimsen 21:00 Háskólabíó with tales presaged by the oracle of The Queen of Halloween puts it bluntly: how, with each chord struck by the Where else in Iceland can you rock out See midi.is for showtimes almighty Klink, an angel would lose its with your cock out to the likes of Rob Guð blessi Ísland, or ‘God Bless wings. Zombie on all Hallows’ eve? The answer Iceland’ is a documentary by director upon erupting from those blazing is nowhere, except for Kaffi Zimsen with Helgi Felixson. The documentary is the bowels Klink immediately set fire to the royal goth herself. first (of hopefully many) forthcoming every obstacle and all doubts in their halloween Iceland has been docs that cover the Icelandic economic way as they ripped stages apart only coming into its own in the last 11 years. collapse last fall and its aftermath. The half as fast as they would. What started out as an intimate party film, features excellent footage of the klink, who in previous incarnations has ballooned into a full-fledged ruckus. protests leading up the the resignation have scored both killer reviews Wait, did we mention Rob Zombie? Her of Geir H. Haarde's government last from Kerrang and a European tour majesty is DJing this year’s party herself. February, and follows around a few of André Kertész with legendary Floridian death metal “We used to have DJs, but they get too the protestors; truck driver Sturla, and stalwarts Deicide, will resurface at shit-faced.” We think this is a good sign. his family, local witch (yeah, witch) Dillon from their second, and hopefully Don’t bother showing up without Eva Hauksdóttir, and on the other side last, hiatus on Sat. Oct. 10. at 10:30. a costume—Halloween Iceland doesn’t police officer Þórir Rúnar Geirsson. their era of dominance will be party with posers. MZ ushered in by the mighty RETRÖN the movie also features Ma France and Celestine!, who by doing so will controversial interviews with former pledge their allegiance to these legends bank owners and business tycoons Jón of Icelandic fuck-core in their own Ásgeir Jóhannesson and Björgólfur 26 September 2009 – 17 January 2010 distorted way. Be there, but be sure to Thor, along with former head of Glitnir pack an umbrella to ward off the angelic bank, Bjarni Ármannsson. Part of the downpour from above. BB interview footage was shot without the knowledge of the interviewees, causing the abovementioned controversy. The film mostly focuses on the human factor of the collapse, See the Sea Change and although somewhat limited in it's Tryggvagata 15, 6th floor · 101 Reykjavík · Tel. 411 6390 · www.photomuseum.is 9 Opening hours 12–19 mon–fri, 13–17 weekends · ADMISSION FREE Okt. Hafnarhúsið, October 11 – 18:00, effort to do so, is a must see. JTS October 12, 13 – 15:00 Suggested donation 500 ISK Icelanders are intimate with water: the sea brought them here, fed them and has kept them safe. But these days those very same waters are in, forgive us, ‘deep’ trouble, and it’s time to repay Grand Rokkin’ in the the debt. Grapevine! the Lost Horse Gallery’s recently unveiled initiative, ASEA, aims to Grand Rokk organize a collection of artist who work for, on, in, with, around, about, and on 1000ISK top of the environment. Set to debut Oh, how we do love to throw a party! during Copenhagen’s Klima Forum this And we do, every fucking chance we December, ASEA is busy establishing get - although that isn’t actually so its reputation and raising some dough. much because we are usually here to that effect, ASEA is screening THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER busting our asses at the paper FOR A Sea Change, the first documentary >> Deep Jimmy YOU. But I digress. We always have time to address ocean acidification. Award- for our regular Grand Rokk party with winning director Barbara Ettinger’s an always exciting line-up of artists to beautifully shot feature-length film FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER kick start a damn fun Friday night. This follows a Norwegian-American family >> Grapevine Concert go around we have Feldberg, punkers whose life is intertwined with the sea, Morðingjarnir, rocksters Jeff Who? and asking viewers to imagine a word SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER special international guest from the UK, without fish. We tried. Then we tried >> Mammút, Cliff Calvin Mr. Fogg. Beer will be served and fun harder. Then we started crying. A day will be had, so don’t be a stranger and without harðfiskur is a day we don’t get >> Sudden Weather Change come on down! RL out of bed. MZ >> Showgun and others (starts at 20:00)

14 TO 17 OCTOBER >> Airwaves

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER >> Concert

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER >> Concert

Achin´for Bacon? FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER Delicious Brunch & Breakfast - Open: 09:00 - 18:00 - Laugarvegur 27 >> Halloween Night

SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER >> Concert

We are here:

Bitchin’ for Beer? Laugarvegur

Laugavegi 21 - 101 Reykjavik - 551 6464 Klappar stígur Central Reykjavík FAXA FLÓI

ÓÐ SL FISKI

UR GARÐ DA AN GR Maritime Museum 1 2 3 Th4e 5 Old Harbour Old Depart for whale and puffin watching tours from the old Harbou ST r MAUAP harbour, a lively area, offering MAP an assortment of restaurants ÁNAN and activity centres Places We Like AMÝR AR GA 1 Á Næstu Grösum TA NÝL 15 Laugavegi 20b END Old 6 U Harbour GAT Á Næstu Grösum is an allGU vegetarianR A Area restaurant right in theESVE city centre that MN features a friendlyFRA atmosphere and R U R fair prices. There is always at least G ÁNA VEST RG 4 Future one vegan soup on offer and the daily ATA UR GE B GAT IR Concert GARSTÍ BÁRUG A SG special portions are big and alwaysR AT Hall AT 9 A satisfying. There is even some organicBO A A Reykjavík wine on offer. RA ÖL AT Art D SG ÆÐ UGA I I T Museum BR A 10 2 Nonnabiti ÆG ÆT Main TR YG Hafnarstræti 9 Tourist GV 7 ASTR Info AG Down AT Delicious and relatively cheap 2 A D Taxi Town considering how massive and filling GARÐ 17HAFNAR I 3 S SÆBR their sandwiches are. The Luxury Sub, TÚNG A ST 8 K ATA ÆT US RÆTI ÚL R TUR with salty pork, veggies, sauce and T ST The AG S RÆ AU T A pineapple is a brilliant combination AL Austur I Culture TA T I National of flavours for late-night munchies. AÐ völlur T House Park Theatre It’s just as satisfying and fillingATA during RÆ G KIRK more civilized hours as well.A And the JUST 16 BA LIND AUT LL RÆ N 5 HVE ÍGUR AR Skyline SÆBR TI 13 K T VA STH.ST ASTR GA service is fast if you’re in a rush. CF Icelandic ATA 12 RF S TA Ó G IS Vesturbæjar P ÆT G Parliament ATA AR HOFS SÓ E AR I

Swimming LV J TI “Financial

A PP ∆ L K Pool LAG I UR RÆ LA 3 AT LÆ T ÍG Habibi A ÆT K District” A S R ST Hafnarstræti 18 AT TS Lauga A ST TI NS T RG City OL vegu14 r HR AT FS 1 A ÚN This small restaurant offers up a H V ART INGB Hall Taxi RÆR BORG concise menu of delicious Arabic ÐU RG LaÓL ugavegur T 18 SU Up NA ÞING NG cuisine, from shawarma toRA kebabs and INGÓLReykjavík’s mARSain shopping SK U AR falafels. The staff is really friendlyT and and culture AÐstreet, featuring TJ T Ó Town HVE The F LA RF accommodating of requests to kick a wide rangGS e of bars, bistros, Tower GUR IS Laugavegi 19 • Tel: 511-1180 R V R G cafes and restaurants. U ATA EGUR E ÖR up the spiciness or tone it down if the VE B ÍG www.glaetan.is A L UV ÐU T AU

customer so desires. Habibi seriously ÁS City TA GA

KJ ST AS VEGU

Pond UF G ÚN hits the spot after hours of partying GA R SKÚL R E I S ÍGUR T Good price TISG R AT KK (or any other time of day) so it’s LA AG english ÍK IN A AT ATA convenient that the place is open until ÞÓ A Hlemmur NÓ FR FR ÍGUR ÓÐ UT RSG UR Bus 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday. CF National ST ÍG West RA A Terminal Gallery ATA ST B of Iceland VIT S A Side UR G N 4 Krua Thai NJ RR EL ÁLSG HÁ A TÚN ∆ Tryggvagötu 14 IM AT AT NO A BARÓ S Taxi Laugardals RK Hallgríms BE BI R Swimming This is the best affordable Thai food on kirkja GÞÓ offer in Reykjavík. Rice is always fluffy, BALDURSG RUG Pool Church ATA LAU SÓLE the spicy kick is just right and the GUR G A TA BRAUTARHOLT AV spring rolls are always crispy cylinders AT GA TÍ EG AG AR UR YJ AG RS of deliciousness. The servings are BR ARÐ AR The Einar hearty too, so you’re bound to leave NJ RÁ A GA Jónsson satisfied. CF H Sundhöllin Museum UÐ TA Swimming S A K University R Pool RA IPHOL S AT GU KIPH Choccolate of Iceland BERG OL RG SSTÍ Hljómskáli T T Swiss Mocca EI ÐU ÚN Park ST R BARÓN ÍK Caffé latte 5 Kaffitár SU University HR AÐ East AT SG of Iceland INGB ARST Cappuchino AT UT NÓ Bankastræti 8 Park L T R A RA Side AU RÆ AU B COFFEESHOPEspresso AU Kaffitár on Bankastræti is a FÁ A I T TI SV BR ...and m.m. comfortable little café with a great RR selection of coffee, tea and baked EGUR RS HÁ NO TEIGSVE goods on offer. Since Kaffitár is also S NA GUR a big-name Icelandic roasterie the GUN Miklatún caffeinated beverages on the menu Nordic House ÍGUR Culture Center Park are quality. The wi-fi makes this a nice FLÓK VA AG place to sit and chill with your laptop TNSMÝR ÁRST A R TA as well. CF ARVE GA ÐA 7 8 9 GUR ML Kjarvalsstaðir Kolaportið PizzaTA King Café Haiti A HR AU 6 R National Sægreifinn GA INGB Tryggvagata 19 HafnarstrætiAR 18 Tryggvagötu 16BSÍ RA Museum UT T Verbúð 8, Geirsgata RÐ Coach Reykjavík’s massive flea market is a ToA be honest, this isn’t the best pizza The first time I enteredTerm inalthis exotic little AU Down by the Reykjavík harbour, NJ wonderful place to get lost for a few up for grabs, but it’s cheap, not pre- joint, meaning to buy myself a take- BR

Sægreifinn fish shop and restaurant Ð Í hours, rummaging through stall upon heated (like at various other pizza away espresso, I ended up with two AR POSTERS is truly a unique establishment. The HR L stall of potential treasures. There places downtown), and the guys are kilos of fresh and roasted coffee beans ÝR menu features various fish dishes IN AH are heaps of used clothing, knitwear rather cool. Their pizzas are always due to some languageGB complications M R U (including most of the “crazy Icelandic AU NG and other yard-sale type goods from bulletproof, and they offer various and way too much politeness.T Since B VINYL food” you’ll want to tell your friends LA ÓLS decades of yore, and a large food great offers on top of it, which you then I have enjoyed probably way-too- TAÐ INGL you had) and a rich portion of the best MIK ARH section with fish, meats and baked should definitely check out. SKK many wonderful cups of Haitian coffee, LA LÍ KR lobster soup we’ve ever tasted. Good BR Ð goods. Check out the vintage post but they’re always as nice, so the two AUT DVD food and welcoming service make this Kringlan Open cards and prints at the table nearRey thekjav ík kilos were definitely worth it. SKK Shopping mon–fri: 11–21 place a must-try. Domestic

army surplus. CF Center∆ CD sat: 11–18 ∆ Airport

Hverfisgata 82 · sími 551-1195 WE ALSO BUY VINYL · DVD · CD Photo: Jói Kjartans Airwaves Survival Guide Making it through the madness intact

Cheap Eats! to find love. “At night, Hressó has a Your Complete Réttir Reviews! good, honest, often surprisingly attrac- We feel awful about not doing the Grapevine Pylsur It’s been a long journey, tive clientele, and most of them are look- Airwaves dailies this year. It sucks. What ing for some good, honest hook-ups.” we’ll miss most are the reviews of every Fast, unhealthy and delicious, Iceland’s show, every band from last night. Although standard off-the-paw snack is a hot dog Dubliners (0-4) but here you are! You got If you’re really determined to get some we will be covering the shows to some in a league of its own. The sausages are extent at our website, it doesn’t replace the action, why not try Dubliners. ‘The late- steamed, but not soggy, and the bun is dailies. Lucky for us, the Réttir music festival warm and soft with a satisfying crunch. late night patrons of Dubliners usually concert series took place a couple of weeks Topping options include raw onions, through the treacherous don’t have a lot of standards, which will ago, and they had pretty much every local fried onions (cronions! funions!), ketch- pay off if you don’t either.’” Airwaves band playing. So we just reviewed up (a thinner and sweeter variety), remo- that entire festival instead. So you can feast BYO Condoms your eyes on the following reviews to get a laði (a funny local relish), and savoury Leif Eiríksson Air This is a key rule that applies to every- clue on who to see during Airwaves. Their brown mustard—we recommend one performances last month can’t be that with everything. Available all over the one, everywhere, at all times, but it is particularly important when getting different from what they’ll do now. city in various stands and corner stores, Terminal and braved the Enjoy. usually for 260 ISK a pop. down with Icelanders. Many of them don’t think twice about the possibility of Wednesday 23.09.09 Bónus procreation—or contamination. Stock FlyBus into Reykjavík up on rubbers at the pharmacy (Lyfja, Waste not want not. You might be in- Batteríið Laugavegur & Vegamótastígur) or a 10- clined to hit the grocery store and pick One thing never changes: concerts in Iceland ALWAYS start up a few items to stash in your pockets 11 (various locations) before you go in for late. This was pretty convenient for the first artist, AMFJ, since there were about 10 people present when he took the while running from show to show. Look and made it in one the kill. They are really expensive here, but it’s better (and cheaper) than the po- stage. AMFJ is a one-man band of a genre I know nothing for the big, crazy pig logo and pop in for about, if it even exists. His act involves a lot of screaming. tential alternatives. Eerie and gloomy screaming, very un-human, technically the cheapest prices on food in town. In manipulated screaming, bringing to mind Bob from Twin the produce section, look for the certi- piece. Congratulations! Peaks. This all, over a pretty hip, danceable playback. I have fied Icelandic label, as those are grown Hangover Killers! a feeling that he’s actually reciting some kind of apocalyptic poem, but as technology/art will have it, there is no way for locally and cheaper. Treo me to tell. Definitely interesting music that is probably better We also recommend picking up Now what? Oh, it’s your suited in to a smaller, more crowded space. DLX ATX take the stage, and the place fills up pretty some skyr, a yogurt-like milk curd prod- These little fizzy tablets look and taste just like old school Alka-Seltzer, but they quickly. This is one act that I’m excited to witness, a previous uct with awesome fruit flavours and su- sighting leaving me hungry for more. It soon becomes per low in fat. are made up of aspirin, caffeine and apparent that DLX ATX is a pretty cool band, very happening first time in the country magic. They come in a handy plastic cy- and 2009. You can also hear some flirting with old school Grocery shoppers would do well to rawk. This seems strange for an act comprising only of a avoid any store that has the numbers lindrical tube, protecting them from get- drummer and a bassist (along with some techy effects), but ting crushed in your bag. It’s also use- somehow the seventies keep coming to mind, flare trousers 10, 11 or 24 (or any combination of those and all. The singing compliments this image nicely, and gives and you’re freaking the ful to bonk someone over the head with numbers) in their name, as those are no- the band a very unique sound. Groovy. DLX ATX are very if they pass out. Just drop one of these groovy. A real pleasure for both ears and eyes. toriously expensive. The young, suburban Kid Twist are next up. Their music babies into the beverage of your choice reeks of psychedelic stoner fury; it’s simple and to-the-point. Ali Baba fuck out? Relax. This list (two if you’re still drunk), and drink your Finding the right words to do their excellent music justice is hangover away. hard; a single car driving through a quiet desert might be the Wonder how Lebanese food holds up best mental image. All out through their set there is a tone, a with Icelandic ingredients? Damn well, sense of eerie melancholy. In a way, it’s pretty dreamy, Vesturbæjarlaug Feldberg. Now, this is bewildering to me. I don’t really is how! Perfectly located between two should get you started know what’s going on here. What I do know, though, is that of the prime venues of the festival, on Of all the pools in the central Reykja- this band is really fucking pro. They play very loud which, again, is puzzling, because they are very... cute. This REALLY Ingólfstorg, Ali Baba provides huge, vík area, the one located in Vesturbær, just off of Hofsvallagata, is probably doesn’t add up in my books. Their singer is excellent, healthy Middle-East-meets-North-Atlan- on a good time over professional, no fuss. The whole band is, very tight, very tic wraps and meals at nice prices. Their the cutest and most relaxing. Removed casual, like this is all they do, ever. Again, this is baffling from the bustling downtown brouhaha, since they announced at the start of their set that this was massive falafel sandwich, with a curious their first show. They are obviously up to something else in blend of corn, cabbage, garlic and spicy it has four wonderful hot tubs to sit in their separate musical corners. They have a lot of equipment, the next few days. Now, and soak up vitamin D rich rays (mostly a whole lot. Yet their sound is very natural, clean and pure. sauce, is a challenge to finish for only Again, this is puzzling. The music is not very impressive, it has 800 ISK. Full shish taouk plates with absent in October. Go figure). Go sit in a summer-pop feel to it and will most likely be well received, and receive good ratings. They failed to keep my attention, all the classic fixings are not too much the mystical, glass-walled steam room or good luck! one of the rare saunas in the city. Easily though, and about 3 songs into their set I was quite lost. more. Best of all, they are open way past Bloodgroup were supposed to go on next, but they failed your bedtime. accessible by foot or bus line 15. Entry is to show up. On the upside, a guy with the head of a hippo special in town, cutting pints down to Grapevine.is, where we’ve got the whole 360 ISK per adult. made a surprising entrance. This partially made up for the lack of Bloodgroup. a scant 350ISK each. On Thursdays, a collecti0n of Rvk’s best for your reading Cheap Drinks! Last band on is Jungle Fiction. I get the feeling this large beer goes for 490 ISK. So remem- pleasures): More Booze is some high school arty-farty half-joke, half-serious act. ber that. “OK, this is kind of a sketchy cat- Seconds into their set, my suspicions are confirmed. I feel like Vínbúð When in doubt, follow the hair of the dog someone turned on their time machine and I have suddenly egory, but our panellists did discuss the arrived in the eighties. Now THIS is mind-boggling. What Pre-drinking is key in this city that rule. Icelanders swear by it and many of Bar 11 subject at length, so we thought we’d in- us foreigners have come around to it as is this? What is going on here? They have a huge stack of starts late and now charges four toes for equipment, building a fort between the three obviously Cashing in on the credit crash, this clude the results for fun and/or pleasure. a beer. Make sure to locate the nearest well. If you were drinking steadily for happening young fellows and the crowd, growing drunker by wicked dive on the corner of Laugavegur Note that our panel featured both men hours on end the night before, and all the second, shake off their last bit of shyness. liquor store (Austurstræti 10a in down- I do not think this is cool. But I have a feeling that this & Smíðustígur came up with Kreppa and women of varied ages, and that the town Reykjavík), go there during the else fails, the only way to power through actually might be cool, and I’m just not in the know. There was nights, a Thursday rager where folks findings are meant to work regardless of some dancing, so some folks liked it. Jungle Fiction certainly awkwardly short opening hours (Mon- is to start hammering back beer ASAFP. can forget their financial woes! The bar gender. seemed to enjoy their show, sadly the feeling wasn’t mutual. day to Saturday, 11am–6pm) and supply Actually, fuck that. Drink water. The - Fríða Brá Pálsdóttir serves up beers and shots for 400 ISK yourself with some hooch to grease the cold tap water is better than anywhere apiece in their rock’n’roll den of iniquity. Vegamót (6-10) wheels before going out. Hard liquor else in the world! - Rebecca Louder Drinks are pretty cheap there at other As one of our people remarked, Vegamót Wednesday 23.09.09 is especially expensive in bars, so you times, too. is “the place where conventionally attrac- might want to stock up on that. Grand Rokk tive people that put a lot of effort into Sexy Times! their appearance go to hook up. They’re The crowd is sparse as Carpet Show take the stage. There’s Kaffi Zimsen something intensely intimate about their performance and ready for action, but you have to look the maybe they’re better off performing to smaller groups. The This cool and cosy bar down by the har- Places to hook up part, too. vocals plead over a basic musical landscape while the sax bour is the Mecca of boozing students adds a touch of the bizarre. Here’s what our panel of experts said As soon as Carpet Show descends, Blóð stomp on. and broke foreigners alike, with pretty in our very own ‘BEST OF REYKJA- Hressó (solid 5) Mumbling, screaming and swearing, it’s obvious they’re good beer deals and house-party playl- angry about something, but little of the audience shares their VÍK’ issue this summer (for more BEST For your average hooker-upper, Hressó ists. Mondays boast the only 2-for-1 beer sentiment. One gets the uncomfortable notion that maybe OF REYKJAVÍK, you should log on to was generally considered the best place that’s what made Blóð so angry in the first place. Létt á Bárunni pick up Blóð’s punk influences but take a more heartfelt, soulful approach and the audience is swooning. Throwing his oddly-shaped hair this way and that, there’s something playful about the lead singer’s approach Iceland AIrwaves 2009 Venues and the smiling drummer in the back makes us want to give her a hug. Old friends and soon-to-be friends gravitate toward the stage. Batteríið Fríkirkjan Grand Rokk Hressó As Létt á Bárunni wrap up, a whole troupe of artists climb on stage. They’re getting ready for something big, but Hafnarstræti 1-3 Fríkirkjuvegur 5 Smiðjustígur 6 Austurstræti 20 instead, something small comes on stage: the petite lead singer of Skelkur í bringu. The crowd presses in tighter and they’re well rewarded: Skelkur i bringu brings a completely off the wall show, with the lead singer swinging from croons to screams to whelps, the band doing its best to catch up. Riding high on Skelkur í bringu’s wave of energy, <3 Svanhvít!’s collection of well cut clean boys elevate the night into full fledged dance party. Everyone’s hopping about, singing along, clapping their hands. Members of the band take off their shirts and photographers swarm—what started out as a tender underground show is now a bumping dance club. Suddenly, an uneasy lull hits Grand Rokk as an unassuming, middle-aged man wearing a baby blue sweater with the German Democratic Republic coat of arms and sporting a matching bowling ball bag climbs on stage. Patrons look on with curiosity as he sets up his electronic equipment, raises his right arm, and starts rocking it back Even during the day it can be dark What’s not great about experiencing Something about Grand Rokk elicits This daytime diner turns into a in forth in rhythm with the electronic jams. Otherwise, DJ Musician is motionless, staring at the audience with two inside Batteríið, but this can be a music in the midst of majestic arches, the traditional feel of a haphazard nighttime hotspot for unplugged acts. beady eyes. good thing because the space looks mighty gold crosses, candelabras neighborhood pub. Upstairs is a nice The long bar and show-space at the The effect is surreal. With the exception of one young larger than it actually is. The bar itself and paintings of Jesus with arms contrast to the homeliness of below— back of the room make it okay to get woman, who rocked the dance floor from the drop of DJ Musician’s first beat, the crowd hesitates for the better part is short, which sometime leads to outstretched and whatnot? Concerts there’s a solid stage and enough room a beer, but kind of hard to get to the of 20 minutes, not quite sure what to make of the situation. annoying waiting times, but around in Fríkirkjan can be heavenly; the to fit a crowd of nearly a hundred. bathroom. Beer is reasonably priced, Finally, everyone gives in and pulls out their best moves on the middle of the dance floor while. One patron looked on in 600 ISK a pop, you can afford at least acoustics are truly amazing as is the As for the bathrooms—quantity beats but not particularly cheap. Get there sheer awe, mumbling, “this man is a genius.” a few beers. The stage is centrally beauty of the church. Just be prepared quality but that’s good enough for us. early if you have any desire for seating. Fifteen minutes later, a group of 30 hardcore fans are still going strong as Me, the Slumbering Napoleon take the located, which means there are plenty for some low key, laid back action. MZ RL stage around 1:00 AM. It’s easy to tell the crowd is full of of vantage points from which to catch Beware of the narrow benches on the friends—everyone’s smiling, crowding in and cutting loose. A the act. MZ balcony, even though this happens to driving bass and devilish screams—I couldn’t think of a better way to end the night. - Michael Zelenko be the best location for viewing. LP

04 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves for extensive + up to date festival coverage

Réttir Music Reviews Contest | VIP Shit Wednesday 23.09.09 people here tonight,” results in a somewhat awkward spread of laughter as Mysterious Marta takes the stage with her Jacobsen calm, yet strong presence. Marta is one of those girls with a unique, childlike voice that gives you goose bumps when she Win A Date With Frímann Upstairs, Tonik started the night off to an unfortunately small sings about moons and mountains and stars and skirts and and laid back crowd. The duo composed of one programmer dresses while plucking her acoustic guitar. Both music and and one bassist still gave it their all, delivering trippy, hypnotic appearance is bubbly, sparkly and sweet. She is cuteness Frímannsson! drum’n’bass with tinges of early 90s electro. The pair bobbed personified—in the best possible sense. and shimmied the whole time, so at least they were having 20:40: Headcount: around twenty-ish. We move from doll fun, even if the crowd was too timid. face Marta to polar opposite tomboy Elín Ey. Rolling up her Yagia then hit the decks next with dark, spacey weird- sleeves, curly hair covering her eyes she plays somewhat + lots of festival goodies! tech that seriously called for a big vial of ketamine. A few depressing, slow country tunes. That little something that bodies started gravitating to the dancefloor but overall, makes an artist stand out seems missing, and it might as well Y’all know him, y’all love him. Here’s your ues. Hell yeah. the soft, psychedelic tracks were still a bit too low key for a be background music rather than a live act. It’s never a good second-billed DJ. At this point, someone really had to bring it. sign when conversations louden and people start going out chance to win a four-day date Reykjavík’s Not only that, but you will have the in- Luckily, Oculus showed up in his fancy trademark Sgt. for smokes during a set. premier scenester, the hipster y’all love to famous partymonster Frímann Frímanns- Pepper jacket and cranked shit up to 11. Suddenly the 21:04: Headcount: slowly but surely improving. Sigga dancefloor was packed with flailing arms and gyrating hips. Eyþórs is sort of a continuation of Elín. Sigga does bring a love, the one, the only, the incomparable son to guide you through the wastelands of The man is reliable for delivering super deep, twisted, sexy tad bit more presence, but her acoustic folk songs aren’t all grooves to make everyone move. Shouting, hand claps, snaps FRÍMANN FRÍMANNSSON! 101 nightlife and partying. For the whole that impressive to myself and my fellow concertgoer, who and clicks and general weirdness, it was pretty hard to stand starts flipping through a magazine. To be fair, the rest of the Not only will you get a chance to party weekend, Frímann will be at your service, still. audience seem to be of a totally different opinion. Meanwhile, down in the basement, Futuregrapher down with a local, you’ll get to do it in such ready to escort you around to the hottest 21:25: The worst imaginable scenario takes place—or so started the night off at a steady pace with trancey, chillout I think... Elín Ey joins Sigga on stage, and they start playing a grand fashion that you can pretty much gigs, parties and debauched after hour beats. A few people standing against the wall suddenly a bluegrass number together. I soon realise I was very moved onto the floor and the tracks started getting harder mistaken, and find myself quite liking it. Do two wrongs really guarantee that your friends will hate you hot-tubbing sessions around. And that guy live in Iceland, or if you haven’t bought an and trippier, with bordeline 8-bit overtones. The man behind make a right? for years to come. But that doesn’t matter. knows how to party. Airwaves-ticket, we cannot help you. This the music was clapping and shouting and the eight of us 21:30: Headcount: Every seat in the house is taken. The dancing went nuts. audience consists of an extremely high percentage of women. You’ll have Frímann. And the memories. Who’s Frímann Frímannsson? Well, competition’s not for you. Sorry. Stop look- Suddenly Ruxpin took over in a fairly smooth transition, Like, freakishly many ladies. It’s refreshing in a way, and Think of the memories. Frímann Frímannsson has without any ing. But good luck. but quickly brought down the pace and energy that it adds to the sisterhood feel of the event. The increasing Futuregrapher had established. With the music rapidly losing amount of people certainly contributes to the atmosphere, “What are those luxuries you speak of?” doubt whatsoever been 101 Reykjavík’s The contest is open until Thursday, Oc- cadence, people started sitting down and going upstairs to but the main reason the evening progresses is because the you ask? Well. How’s this for starters: You’ll kingpin of hard-partyin’, designer-gear tober 15 at 14:00. We will contact the win- smoke, missing out on his funky, booty-bass with seriously best acts are saved for last. messed up time signatures. 21:38: Next up: Songbird. A sweetheart in braces, singing get VIP access passes to Iceland Airwaves. wearin’, part-time modellin’ neo-hipsters ner that same day, at 16:00, and give him all The real bummer was for Biogen, who got slotted at the happy, cheerful, shoe-tapping tunes. Her xylophone adds to This means that you will never, ever have to throughout 2009. Also, he’s just plain nice, those cool goodies. If you won, but cannot same time as Oculus. This was no easy task and he sort of the niceness of it all. Makes you feel all bubbly inside. got the shaft by the crowd. Only a few people hung around 22:15: The absolute highlight of the evening. Lára Rúnars wait in line for anything for the duration of that guy, so following him around should be reached – we reserve the right to select downstairs, mostly sitting or just standing around, while he stands out like no other with her personality, charisma and played swervy, pulsating, dream-tech. Tough crowd! the festival. Ever. Want to hop in to NASA greatly enhance your weekend. another winner. contagious, silly songs. She simply shines and is of a whole - Rebecca Louder other calibre than the earlier artists. Lára plays songs that for a quick drink, past that 50 strong queue? Oh, and you get to bring a friend, too. Winners will be expected to document give you the urge for some crazy table dancing, rather than Go right ahead, sir or madam. This prize is good for two. So you’ll have their festival weekend via a digital camera, sitting nicely by a candlelit table. She’s just kinda amazing at Wednesday 23.09.09 what she does. “That sounds mighty good, Grapevine, one friend that won’t abandon you out of phone camera or other such nifty device. 23:00: Headcount: crowded and elbow shoving. Time for NASA Norwegian Hanne Hukkelberg. Her tender, marvellous voice but isn’t there more?” you ask? Hell yeah, resentful envy. Which is comforting. Winners agree to being interviewed by a goes straight to your heart but the performance itself lacks there’s more. Try this on for size: Every So here’s how you win this grand prize representative of the Reykjavík Grapevine I arrive just as For A Minor Reflection are getting ready to personality. Although obviously a fantastic talent, I imagine start. There is a guy with a big white canvas at the end of the her being better on CD than in a live setting. All in all, the night of Airwaves, you can step in to the to end all grand prizes (oh yes, the run- on Airwaves Sunday. stage who apparently is there to “capture the sounds and Trúbatrix evening is a pleasant one with highlights that make very awesome Bakkus for free shots of ner up will win an exclusive Kimi Records This excellent contest is brought to you portray them as colours and form on the canvas.“ I seeeeee. it, at times, magic. - Louise Petersson Starting their set with their headline song, Kastljós, they whatever you desire – and they’ll give you a goodie bag!): you must send us a paragraph by The Reykjavík Grapevine, in cooperation plough a well furrowed line in melodic post-rock. Indeed, I mighty fine beer discount for the duration detailing your most awesome experience, with the following, awesome parties: wouldn’t be shocked if I found out the band had been cloned Wednesday 23.09.09 from a skin scraping from Explosions in the Sky. But it’s of the night. This is of course perfect for all ever (only a paragraph. Anything over 100 pleasant enough, if rather meandering. At the end of their Sódóma set, I can see the painter has made a composition heavy in your aftershow drinking needs. words will go directly to the trashbin). Mr. Destiny red and black. Personally, I would have used light blue and First on stage are Ten Steps Away, a rock ‘n roll four piece Want more? You got it. When you wake The Iceland Airwaves Festival corn yellow. from Hafnarfjörður. Playing generic alternative rock that Ólafur Arnalds is a sick, sick man. No seriously, he wouldn’t seem out of place on American rock radio stations, up each day, you can skip along to Kaffi- You must send it via e-mail, with the sub- Kaffibarinn doesn’t look that good when he takes the stage. Apparently their high-energy performance in an attempt to connect with barinn for a free dose of their time tested, ject: “I <3 Frímann Frímannsson.” Bakkus suffering from a fever, he looks like he may vomit onto his the crowd is to their honour. Still, tonight was not their night. keyboard at any moment. But the man is nothing if not a Nögl are faced with a similar situation. Just back from a alcoholic-tried, 100% guaranteed hangover The address is: [email protected] The City of Reykjavík trooper and he and his string quartet bring the mood and successful tour of Florida, they use their experience and get killer combos. Kimi Records pace right down with his sparse, melodic compositions. But a more responsive crowd. Continuing where Ten Steps Away my enjoyment was slightly marred by the fact that, despite left off, Nögl play their version of alternative rock with songs You will also get a Reykjavík City Pass, You must include your name, age and a tele- asking to the audience be a little quieter, the quieter moments off their debut album, I Proudly Present. Having enjoyed All your submissions are belong to us. And PepsiCo Internation- in the set was rather spoilt by constant yakking at the back of modest radio success with My World and the song Don’t courtesy of the City of Reykjavík. This al- phone number where you can be reached. al. Although neither entity will want to use them for anything, the venue. Bloody proles! Leave, currently on rotation at X-ið, they do get some crowd probably. By submitting to this contest, you forfeit all your intel- interest when they’re played. Unfortunately for the band, the lows free admittance to all the city’s fine Lastly, this competition is only open to lectual rights. Period. Now I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two crowd is still too thin for them to have any impact. pools, free bus rides, free museum admit- Airwaves wristband holders that do not per- Hjaltalíns out there. The first one, which features on record, is full of twee, irrelevant nonsense that annoys the fuck out With their debut album finally seeing the light of day this tance and discounts at select stores and ven- manently reside in Iceland. That is – if you of me. And then there is the second Hjaltalín, the live one. It’s October, the crowd had high expectations from OurLives’ amazing what happens when you beef up the rhythm section, performance. The venue has filled up considerably by as it lends Hjaltalín a more muscular sound. Indeed, their now, and the crowd apparently expects something special. Iceland AIrwaves 2009 Venues opening tracks Suitcase Man and Goodbye July – Margt að Unfortunately for OurLives, the venue sound for their set ugga are suffused with an immediacy that I certainly wouldn’t is awful, and in those conditions most of their atmospheric expect from them. The crowd certainly seemed to be enjoying pop rock songs sound like a bad covers outfit. Although Iðnó Jacobsen Listasafn Reykjavíkur it almost as much as singer Högni, who sported a massive shit their radio hits do see a crowd-reaction, most present seem eating grin during the entire set. disinterested, with the anticipation for Dikta growing. Vonarstræti 3 Austurstræti 9 Tryggvagata 17 By the time Fallegir menn bounce on stage, the crowd It is in the live environment that Dikta really come into to seems to have thinned by a third (hmm... must be a lot of their comfort zone. Right from the first song off new single early lectures at the university tomorrow). They are certainly Let Go, Dikta spell out what is to be expected from tonight’s a sight to behold. Their live rap act strives for the Beastie show, and the crowd show their approval. By the time they Boys, but their look (the keyboard player from Grandaddy, the play oldie Someone Somewhere midway through their set, guitarist from Roxy Music, a rapper looking like he wandered the band really hit their stride, inciting crowd singalongs and off from Boys in a Band) owes a lot more to Goldie Lookin’ whatnot. Growing in confidence they reel off numerous new Chain. But it sounds tight and funky thanks to the keyboardist songs from their long awaited newie, and it seems they are and rhythm section. And as for the rapping? Well there was on to a winner. Sticking with the formula that saw their last loads of Tigger-like energy, but to be honest they could have album do so well, the crowd don’t seem disappointed by the been rapping about Icelandic Monetary Policy or the price of new songs milk in Bónus and I would have been none the wiser. Lights on the Highway, fresh from the release of a new Overall it was a pleasant, if not spellbinding night. Here LP, take to the stage and unleash their take on psychedelic is some advice to concert promoters: you should start these alterna-rock. As one would expect from these vets, their midweek concerts at least an hour earlier. That way, I won’t sound is spot on. When they band play recent single A Little be so fucking knackered when I start work at 7 AM the next Bit Of Everything it gives the crowd exactly what they want, morning. - Bob Cluness but unfortunately the band fail to pick up on the momentum. They seem oddly lacking in the live arena, which is a shame. Built in 1897, the historical theatre The self-described “only club in town” Once a year, The Reykjavík Art Gallery To their credit, Lights on the Highway still keep the crowd by the pond is a small and charming is an out of control dancerama. Drinks is transformed into Airwaves’ largest Wednesday 23.09.09 on their side throughout their performance. As the concert goes on I just feel there is something missing from their show-room with an above average are fairly average price for the city, venue, hosting some of the bigger Rósenberg performance. I expect more from a band of this calibre. capacity. It’s like NASA’s baby sister. but they frequently have specials on acts Airwaves has to offer. Drinks are - Adam Wood Its 19th Century chic décor is well mixes. The women‘s washroom is like fairly expensive, but hey, it’s a classy Trúbatrix night at Rósenberg is meant to be one of those low key, laidback evenings. Candles light the room, people are reflected in the price of drinks. a makeup bomb went off in there and gallery and you’re partying among finishing up their dinner, there are more red wine glasses Bathrooms can be a bit of a wait. The the men‘s room is often a breeding masterpieces so what the heck. Expect around than beer. That kind of thing isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s actually kind of…nice. The Trúbatrix collective place can be wonderful to experience ground for cock-measuring quarrels. some of the wildest dancing in town aims to round up Iceland’s foremost female talents, so my live music in, provided the place isn’t There is still no better place to hear and general insanity, with a taste of expectations for the evening are high. too crowded and the soundperson electronic music. RL posh. LP 20.00: Headcount: 9. The obligatory “nice seeing so many doesn’t suck. RL

Grab a free copy at your hotel or nearest tourist info. www.designdistrict.is

06 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves

Réttir Music Reviews Interview | by Ólafur Halldór Ólafsson Thursday 24.09.09 bobbing from the audience. No mean feat when performing to a mostly sober crowd in the early stages of a festival, Batteríið especially in Iceland—where alcohol is an almost mandatory lubricant and all flailing of limbs is kept to a minimum until Endless In a live setting, many electronica artists have problems an appropriate level of drunkenness is achieved. Needless connecting with the crowd. to say, the music was good. No messing around with this 7oi does not have that problem. Throughout his set, he band. Chunky, rocky and genuine, the audience reaction was shows great variety with songs drifting between tender not undeserved. They played a solid set, without theatrics or Summers sweet lullabies into heavier drum loops with plenty of reverb pretension, and their kinda tough sound was offset well with and delay. The added element of vocals and some guitar the delicate backing vocals of Hellvar’s Heiða. Jolly good. strumming provides a much-needed human angle, which is The growing crowd was suitably warmed up for the often lacking in electronica acts. As is often the case with appearance of Icelandic music legend Megas, accompanied – Now In the first billed outfits, 7oi’s enjoyable experimental set is by backing band Senuþjófarnir, who attracted a wide variety unfortunately experienced by too few. of folks. The crowd thickened and the wide age range of Magnoose (now: Quadropolis) is another electronica the audience is a testament to his talent and appeal, though artist. Reminiscent of Warp Records artist Clark, Magnoose those unfamiliar with Icelandic music history, tourists, might Iceland! produces dark ambient sound textures with pounding be perplexed by the sight of so many young people rocking bass beats. The music he creates seems like it could be a out to the slightly obscure musician. Megas’ on-stage soundtrack to a Fritz Lang movie, so it seems appropriate demeanour could be compared to a more cooperative Bob he has a film showing in the background. Unfortunately, the Dylan, with his clever lyrics and unique style of singing The Drums music doesn’t seem to relate to the film, making it a missed definitely bringing Dylan to mind, while his clear enjoyment of opportunity. Maybe Magnoose is trying to draw attention being on stage putting him a different league entirely. away from him fiddling with knobs, giving his performance The set ended with cries for ‘meira’ and paved the way a more visual element, which in any case is very interesting for Hjálmar, fresh from the release of their latest album, IV. Friday 20:50 musically. The jostling motion now successfully pulled itself together Having made a name for themselves in their home country, into a bit of all out dancing, spurred on by Hjálmar’s Icelandic Reykjavík Art Museum Danish band The State, The Market and The DJ have reggae. They performed an awesome set—bright and vibrant— come to Iceland to give their take on alternative music. It’s leading the audience in a beautiful rendition of ‘Leiðin a pretty atmospheric and intense affair, often bringing to okkar allra’, where any sense of war, strife and kreppa in the One of the most interesting interna- our drummer Connor through a friend, How is the Florida music scene? mind The Devics, but with a male vocalist. The songs have world left the building for the moment, and there was unity. tional acts to play Airwaves this year is and it worked out really well. Adam [gui- We don’t really know, because we did plenty of space in them, and they seem like they would make Good times. By the end the crowd had begun to thin out, so the perfect soundtrack for driving across America. However the gig was perhaps a little on the long side. Either way the without a doubt New York [via Florida] tar] we had known for a long time, he not go out at all in Florida. We kept to enjoyable, like that cross country drive, tonight’s set goes on atmosphere was nice and relaxed throughout the gig. ourselves, we didn’t have cars and we a little too long for comfort. - Bergrún Anna Hallsteinsdóttir transplants The Drums. The band was used to be in a band with me few years That night, the Reykjavík International Film Festival world- founded earlier this year (!) by long-time ago called Elkland, kind of a synth pop weren’t living in the middle of town— premiered Jesse Hartman’s new flick, House Of Satisfaction. Thus, Hartman had booked an appearance at Batteríið to play Thursday 24.09.09 friends Jonathan Pierce (vocals) and band. We put out one album on Colum- we lived near the beach. We both had some songs from his movie. New Yorker Hartman has played Jacob Graham (guitar)—the two seem bia records and then we split.” these stupid jobs, and when we came in many bands, starting when he a teenager and toured Japan Sódóma home we just made music ‘til we passed with Richard Hell, remaining active in the NY scene ever to have a certain knack, as they’ve al- The Drums seems like kind of a since. His first song, a quintessential Hartman track, gave the The room is almost empty when Me, the Slumbering ready received heaps of oozing praise. strange a band name... out. Then we woke up and did the same crowd a perfect introduction to his music, but unfortunately Napoleon start, but what do you expect at 8:30 in Reykjavík? his one-man rock show with its good story telling lyrics was Their slow start makes their unfortunately chosen band name They released their first EP this sum- The name of the band kinda came to thing again, day after day. In about six lost on the crowd. He hits back by dedicating 1999 single seem rather appropriate. It’s a bit of a snooze, but suddenly mer, and called it... Summertime. It’s us. Last couple of years, Jacob and I have months, we wrote around twenty songs. I’m So Happy You Failed to all the talkers in the crowd, but a fog machine kicks in and a dude starts shouting and it gets soldiers on through an enjoyable set. better. The second half of their set is loud, grungey and kind a pretty brilliant EP, full of straightfor- had this blog that we only share between It seemed to me that the scene is a bit Unlike Hartman, local songstress Ólöf Arnalds has little of math-rock, but still fails to get a crowd reaction. ward, summery pop tunes that bring to the two of us. We made up this imagi- lacking. trouble with tonight’s crowd. With her intimacy and charm Okay, maybe it’s not the band, because the crowd also she has them in the palm of her hand. She gets them singing stands immobile for Sudden Weather Change’s highly mind 1950s surf music and the Factory nary band on the blog, found picture Really all you had where we lived was along to the la la chorus of Englar og Dárar. During new energetic and air-tight set. The three guitarists and bassist Records music of the eighties. We called for all the imaginary band members, Disneyworld, and everything there was song Crazy Car, she hums the piano line and forgets the final stand in a row, flailing their instruments about in a kind of verse. After repeating a guitar line and a blaa blaa, she’s off sludge rock synchronized dance. They are so young and so up Jonathan at his Brooklyn apartment. named everyone and gave them all their really sort of Nazi-ish, in the way that again, much to our enjoyment. Instead of getting annoying, don’t give a shit. One of them loses his shirt. Awesome! “We are very excited to play the Ice- own lives. And then we decided to call anything creative gets stomped out im- these antics add to her charm. After a new glass of wine and Finally the room is packing up, and I am drunk. what seems like an eternity tuning her unusual armadillo Morðingjarnir are chugging away some real fun old school land Airwaves festival,” Jonathan tells the band The Drums. When we decided mediately, because they want a city like instrument the charango, she plays Klara, before reverting punk. DC meets RVK! Still, no one is moving. What the hell? me. “I have known about the festival to form a real band, we just copied this Disney world—kind of a perfect world back to her guitar for two covers: Hank Williams’ Please It’s raw and fast and catchy and everyone around me is in Don’t Let Me Love You and Caetano Veloso’s Maria Bethania. serious need of some alcohol, but it’s too packed to get to the for a few years, and I’ve always wanted imaginary band. with nothing interesting going on. On request, she then plays album favourite Við og við. Not bar. expecting to play that song tonight, she struggled with the You’ve been known to play surf mu- I don’t know if I would ever want to It’s too packed because Mugison is climbing onstage and to come to Iceland—you could say it’s a lyrics throughout the song, but it is of little worry to the crowd everyone is going mental. It’s been far too long since this guy dream come true. We will stay in Reykja- sic. Is that something you set out to do go back there, not even to play a show. who joyfully sing along to chorus. It brings this intimate and has graced a Reykjavík stage with his pornographic blues wonderful gig to a fitting and perfect end. - Adam Wood punk, and it’s truly a sin. There are so many people in the vík for three days and will try to hang out from the beginning? There is something really dark about room that it is impossible to move, but everyone is joining the and see as much as we can.” We never made any decision to play Disney. Jacob used to work there and sing-alongs and having a blast. Thursday 24.09.09 Mugison doesn’t wanna get of stage, so he kicks off How long have you been playing to- surf music, it just happened. I moved he told me a lot of crazy stories about it. Grand Rokk an impromptu jam session with Reykjavík! as they gear gether? from New York in the middle of a winter If someone dies at the park, they don’t up and plays with them on the first song. Fuck yeah! They immediately start tearing shit up, their singer jumping into the The nice people in charge of this festival are already in my We have played as a four-piece since and being in Florida during that time pronounce him dead ‘til they get him out crowd and nearly strangulating audience members with his good book, if only because—unlike another festival that’s microphone cord. The editor of this paper is a guitar maniac, this May. Me and my best friend Jacob feels like being on an endless vacation. of there, so they can say that no one has coming up soon—they did not forget the metalheads. It’s FYI. Finally people are headbanging. about time people realise that there is more to the Icelandic started the band as a studio project. It never snows like in New York, and I ever died at Disney World. Retrön get up to wrap up the night and they are dressed music scene than wailing little fairies and good natured pretty funny. There’s a lot of metallic spandex over neon I moved to Florida from New York to got inspired from being on vacation. We gnomes. The Dark Side has its representatives as well. On spandex and it’s kind of amazing. The remaining audience that stormy Thursday night we were graced with the presence wrote handful of song that were very are fully into the game-console power metal. Seriously, I saw live with him, so we could make music of some of the bands that are going to play at the Eistnaflug a Guitar Hero guitar up there. And a keytar! Yes! The band together. We called it The Drums and summery and decided to put them all Rock Festival next year. It is the only festival in Iceland that unleash an epic finale of making heart-hands synchronized focuses solely on metal, punk and other undesirables. with their playing. It’s hard to describe, but it was absolutely posted a few things online—people out in as an EP and call it Summertime! The first band that took to the stage was Atrum, and hilarious. - Rebecca Louder started to take notice, so we decided to Our other songs are not as surfy and I had to stifle a laugh. The band had obviously decided to wear the international war paint of Black Metal, the infamous move to New York and make it a four- summery. Corpse-paint. But they had failed to bring enough paint, and Friday 25.09.09 piece band to play live shows. We found only managed to paint around their eyes. They looked more like cartoon bandits than any Black Metal outfit. The laugh Batteríið froze on my lips, though, when they started playing. It was a powerhouse performance. Great songs with great guitar riffs Calf Method took to the stage late, immediately hollering for and the vocals came straight from the bowels of the Earth...or everybody in Batterí to come up and show them some love lower. Think Emperor, think Keep of Kalessin. I cannot wait to on the dance floor. Luckily, of the ten people in the bar, nine see them again, but I hope they’ll think carefully about putting were members of their entourage, so their demands were The Young Composer’s Guide To Reykjavík Dining on that stupid make-up. 90% met. The three piece laughed their way through their Next was a band that has gained cult status among local white-boy gangsta rap, two shouting out “I wanna get low hard rockers. XIII seemed aware of their own importance, with you bitches” while the third wailed on his tenor sax so and they tried too hard to maintain their legend image. It smoothly he belonged in another band. -by Nico Muhly wait to order the mustard, you’ll have to tense stare if you try to order a drink). fizzled. People that had flocked to the stage when Atrum As if hordes of people were waiting in the wings for Calf watch them put the order in, and haul a Just perform the tasting menu with her were playing, now returned quietly to their seats. Their music Method to wrap it up, Batterí was comfortably full by the time is old school metal, reminiscent of the 80s and 90s: little bit Johnny Stronghands graced the stage, sitting meekly in a tiny little ramekin of Dijon up through attendant wines: it’s a procession of the of Ratt, a little bit of Alice in Chains. With the exception of chair, guitar on his lap, smiling shyly when the anticipatory Reykjavík is a funny frontman Hallur, the other members of the band looked more crowd shouted out support for the young troubadour. As loud the dumbwaiter; it’s a little depressing. delicious (langoustine, truffle, and srira- like session musicians than rockers. It wasn’t until they played as the bellowing “strong hands!” and “show’em what you got, The foal sandwich, however, is a high- cha bell jar), the absurd-in-any-economy 13, a cool song from their first album, that you could witness buddy!” was the crowd was eerily silent so as not to miss one town for food: the nostalgic eruptions among the crowd. note of Johnny’s haunting and bluesy voice that’s somewhat water mark for western civilization. (zebra carpaccio), and the linguistically Gone Postal were next and wasted no time in assaulting akin to Nick Drake in its complexity. Contributing to the truly The second itinerary is more expen- extreme (hubba-bubba sorbet). our eardrums with their powerful, old-school deathmetal. I impressive vocals was some astounding guitar playing that cheap places aren’t couldn’t help but wonder if the 4 screaming children on stage had the young man employing the length of his instruments sive, and best done with people to laugh Afterwards, go get a hot dog. There were old enough to be here—the singer looks like a satanic neck with speed and accuracy. It was both a treat to hear and about it with you. Book yourself a table is nothing more exhausting than eating version of Pocahontas. Young they may be, but it was obvious witness such musical talent. Seriously goosebump-inducing always fabulous and they had done their homework. This was Death Metal 101. music. at Sjávarkallarin (don’t even try to walk fusion food, no matter how wonderful. Great band! The only criticism I can come up with is this: Let me entertain you in and wait at the bar. It’s no seats at You’ll have earned it. guys, please lower your guitars to at least hip level. You don’t After the complete silence of the crowd during Johnny the fabulous places wanna look like fucking Mezzoforte, do you!? Stronghands’ set the chatter was almost distracting as the bar, and they will give you a very in- I was anxious to hear new Morðingjarnir songs. Their Svavar Knútur strummed through his first song with a latest album, Àfram Îsland, is arguably one of the best punk ukulele and a massive child-like smile. I suppose that’s the aren’t ever cheap. albums ever to come out of Iceland. Sadly, however, the band difference between a musician and an entertainer. Svavar Iceland AIrwaves 2009 Venues members looked tired and there were sound problems, so the Knútur is undeniably talented with his voice some times performance was not as good as expected. Better luck next resonating a Damien Rice quality and his animated persona However, there time. on the stage leads one of my companions to liken him to Jack NASA Sódóma In Memoriam were the closing act and did their job in a Black, but the crowd in Batterí paid him as much attention as are a few ways to professional manner. Sporting a singer that has ASS (Arena generic bar entertainment, not a well-known performer on a Austurvöllur Tryggvagata 22 Stage Syndrome), they kept the crowd happy with their trashy festival line-up. Once his backing band got in on the action metal and even got so bold as to cover Slayer—and get away and they broke into an anecdotal ditty that had the jovial construct a soothing with it, too! front man reciting the works of the Prodigy and Bon Jovi, with Again, thanks to the promoters of Réttir and Eistnaflug for some Eye of the Tiger tossed in for balance, things picked up a great evening at Grand Rokk! - Flosi Þorgeirsson and the smiling crowd paid the act the attention it deserved. itinerary. There is Hitting a neutral note Svavar Knútur ended his set on a high-note with his cover- laden finale, leaving quite the void for Snorri Helgason to fill, one that I usually do Thursday 24.9.09 especially now that Batterí was rather full and people wanted to be entertained. Unfortunately Snorri’s set, while technically Jacobsen solid and ripe with entertaining tambourine performances alone, and another from former Grapeviners, left much to be desired. This guy It’s platinum blond club time, Reykjavík-style, at Jacobsen on has talent, as the former lead singer and songwriter for the Thursday night, with razor thin high-heeled bombshells, flat über upbeat Sprengjuhöllin, and his band was exceptionally brims and over-sized hoodies as far as the eye can see. is better in pairs. good at what they were doing. It was just… unremarkable. Young MC Gauti, sporting a flat-brimmed cap with the Neutral. Love and hate are both passionate emotions and, words “New Money” splashed across the front, delivers while being loved is preferable to being hated, I would take club-friendly hits, climbing the speakers and showering the Alone, there is only one way to con- hate over neutrality any day. audience with sing-along choruses and breaking down for at struct an afternoon. At three o’clock, This music venue/nightclub is a steady Sódóma translates to Sodom, but And then the waiting began least one pseudo-R&B track. As if the night wasn’t far enough behind schedule Airwaves favourite. There’s a bunch don’t be misled; there’s no more – or As soon as MC Gauti descends, the much-praised it’s about a perfect, iconic lobster soup, already, the downtime between Snorri Helgason and the Forgotten Lores climb up—as if by magic, the dance floor is of sane madness going on with just less – sodomy here than in most other electronic dance ensemble Sometime dragged on for eons. whale kebab, and light beer at Sægre- completely packed. There’s something almost boy band-ish But once this aesthetically pleasing fivesome got their shit the right amount of rowdiness. On the bars in town. Climb the dark stairwell about how each member boasts a particular ‘style.’ Even the finn. Walk across the street to Café du together and began their set the dance floor was packed ‘Posh Spice’ member had the crowd flipping their lid. downside, it’s not the best place to and enter a fairly large floor bordered with writhing bodies totally digging the 80s inspired synths, Haïti and order a poisonously strong From dust we come and to dust we return—the club get wasted for cheap, as drinks are on by a few tables. Beers are moderately and vapid ultra-feminine crooning. Sometime’s high-energy descends into the DJ stylings of some ambiguous DJs… delicious double espresso, in your best set, accentuated by Christmas lights, feathered head expensive side. The ladies room offers priced, and if you can shove your way - Michael Zelenko Island French. Then, you have an hour accoutrements and electric eye make-up, was high voltage a fair amount of elbow shoving and outside there’s a covered balcony and beaucoup de fun. to kill, so walk around the harbour. catfights, which isn’t necessarily a bad where the nicotine-minded can get Thursday 24.09.09 Let’s keep this electro-energy pumping! Oh. Bodebrixen Return, ruddy and refreshed to Ho- didn’t bother to wire any of their twelve electronic devices thing if you’re up for some drama. LP their fix. The piece de resistance has to Nasa beforehand? I see. It’s a real shame that this Danish act didn’t tel 101. Breeze into the dining room, be the men’s bathroom, where patrons prep their equipment at all before their set, maybe more of and order the foal sandwich with a side are invited to piss on the portraits of At NASA, the night began with a sparsely scattered crowd, the dancers so keen on Sometime would have continued the entertained by the musical styling of Dr. Gunni who rather party stage-front for them. This upbeat group played some of mustard to dip the fries in. If you the banksters. MZ admirably enticed some enthusiastic head nodding and knee catchy synth-heavy tunes and they looked kinda cute in their The best

Laugavegi · Kringlunni selection of www.skifan.is Icelandic music

Gus Gus Hjálmar Hafdís Huld

Sykur Lára Sigríður Thorlacius

Icelandic movies Live music all weekend at Skífan Laugavegur 26

Thursday Saturday 15.00 22 13.00 Dynamo Fog 16.00 Culture Reject 14.00 Sykur 17.00 Eliza 15.00 Bloodgroup 18.00 Moto Boy 16.00 Lára Rúnars 17.00 Mammút Friday 18.00 Mecaphonic Thrift 16.00 Hafdís Huld 17.00 Sigríður Thorlacius Sunday - Trubatrix in Skífan 18.00 Brasstronaut 13.00 María 19.00 Úlpa 14:00 Halla Norðfjörð 15:00 Björt Sigfinnsdóttir 16:00 Uni 17:00 Mysterious Marta 08 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves for extensive + up to date festival coverage

Réttir Music Reviews Interview | By Rebecca Louder matching nautical outfits but all their songs sounded the same and it all got very dull very fast. Even the crowd seemed eager to get the Danes off the stage halfway into the set, coincidentally around the time either Bode or Brixen shouted Got A Thing For Them “thank you Greenland!” Sorry buddy, wrong colony. Maybe gauging the temperature of the crowd or maybe just smart, Berndsen set up his stage quickly and playfully left the eager crowd chanting his name while he sauntered Metronomy enthuse about over to the bar for a pre-gig bevy, kissing some adoring fans along the way. With the runaway popularity of his Supertime video, everybody in Batterí turned to their neighbour and whispered “oh my god, it’s Berndsen!” as he passed by in their upcoming Airwaves gig the pink and yellow jacket and headband from his Lover in the Dark video. Once behind the mic Berndsen’s set left something to be desired. Perhaps it was nerves or perhaps Friday 23:50 it was that he was bouncing around too much, causing his voice to sound choppy, but something was off about the Reykjavík Art Museum performance. The electronic instrumentals of The Young Boys were jumpy and fun and kept the Berndsen fanatics busting Are you looking forward to playing Iceland Airwaves 2009 CD Review their moves, but the night was losing momentum fast until he closed his set with Supertime. at Airwaves for the second time? What Berndsen is so goddamn adorable that I forgive him for the makes you excited? lags in his stage time. Once the masses get a better taste of what he’s all about—other than Supertime—this boy is going The first time I played at Airwaves was places. - Catharine Fulton the first time I ever played abroad. I re- member being so afraid and excited, it was a massive thing for me to do. No one Friday 25.09.09 else in the band has ever travelled to Ice- Cultura land, and I keep telling them how beau- What do you get when you put together an amateur, a Since playing the Iceland Airwaves fes- It takes a long time. You need to like it tiful the air is. The first time I played shitload of ladadada-lyrics and a terrible singer? I’ll tell you what you get: a rather shitty evening. tival in 2005, Joseph Mount and his yourself, first of all. Then you need to there had a huge impact on me. It’s Melodica Acoustic Festival night, and four acoustic outfit Metronomy has gone from being feel like it was worthwhile by others en- And do you realise you are pretty acts are to take the carpet covered stage in the dark Metronomy basement of Kaffi Kúltúra. A handful of people have turned up a solo project to a full-blown electro-pop joying it also. As a rule of thumb, I do much the only international act that and it is quite apparent that the audience mainly consists of band. Since the release of their album not release music that I do not like. has been invited to play Airwaves twice? friends of the performers. This could have been one of those Pip Payne (Pay The £5000 You cosy, intimate concerts. It was not. Nights Out last fall, the group has built You guys remixed U2’s City of Blind- How does that make you feel? Owe) & Nights Out Myrra Rós is first up. The performance is basically the up a steady blog buzz and toured all ing Lights, but it wasn’t allowed to be re- It is an honour. It’s maybe a mistake that same slow depressing type of song over and over again. She does a lot of talking to her friends in the audience, as well over the UK and North America, wear- leased. What’s up with that? I am able to come back, but of all the Inventive to the point of annoyance as some mid-song giggling. This night, this venue, Myrra ing out dancing shoes wherever they’ve That was a marketing decision I people in the world that could be invited Who’d have thought that being in debt Rós just isn’t very convincing as a musician. Everything is very amateur-like, and there is no presence what so ever. gone. They now have the honour of be- think. Fuck knows why they didn’t like I am probably the most grateful. would make you famous these days? Myrra Rós can at least sing, but her voice is not particularly ing the only non-Faroese, non-Bedroom it. They had a chance to back a young as- Any particular remembrances from For the sake of five grand owed to memorable. Suddenly, while people are running up and down the stairs Community affiliated international act piring artist, but decided against it. It’s your last Airwaves stint? What stuck a car scrappers’ yard, Pip has been for beer, a loud noise flows from the speakers. It is the next to play Airwaves for a second time. I re- not unusual. out if anything? Also, a lot of first time forever immortalised in bleeps, beeps, act, Sebastian Storgaard, singing. His mediocre voice starts turning-trick melodies, Aphex Twin pounding these terrible lyrics into my head via the way too cently spoke to Mr. Mount about where Your music videos are pretty clever. Airwavesgoers will be reading this, so loud mic and I just begin to wonder if this dude shouldn’t find scary skewiff twisted-face sound another hobby. One not involving music. There is an overload the band is at right now. How much hand do you have in those? in that spirit: Do you have any advice for manipulation and electro-bounciness. of ladadada-ing, then someone in the audience tips Sebastian It was a long break between your first Do you owe it to the directors you’ve them? What not to miss, and what to dis? on tuning his guitar, I’ve had too much. Random, somewhat rusty, but classy. I am only going to mention briefly what happens next, worked with? I remember three things... and second albums. Will we have to wait Seems the debut album has taken its because my mother once told me that if you don’t have another three years before you drop a It is a bit of both. In most cases I have 1. Being very nervous anything nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything. Tryggvi spirit from that cheeky fucker, and in Gunnarsson takes the stage. The whole experience is just new album or do you have plans to hit come up with the ideas and given them 2. How incredible the air was the case of something like Bearcan kind of embarrassing. the studio again soon? to a director. Luckily we work with good 3. How very English the people are The evening’s long-awaited highpoint comes as the it actually sounds like Metronomy presenter announces that the last act is a no-show. I let out a Sadly, it is seen as a long break, but in video makers who understand our hu- Beyond that, I would say that Iceland is mainman Joseph Mount has sneaked silent sight of relief and thank my stars. - Louise Petersson actual fact it felt like a very short time. In mour. They then take the idea and run a very unique place. I can’t dis anything. into the same car yard to record the the three years we were trying to get out with it. It’d good to let someone else have Really, nothing bad happened to me percussion on discarded Ladas. Fiddle Friday 25.09.09 around under the bonnet enough and of a record deal and touring pretty hard. fun. there last time. Grand Rokk Fact is the next record will take much You have been touring fairly exten- What can the Airwaves audience ex- you’ll find the pop sump full of… ok less than three years to make. The last sively since the release of Nights Out. pect from your live show? enough with the cars. My ears still ringing after the Eistnaflug concert the night Nights Out, last year’s follow-up before, I was happy to enter Grand Rokk again for some good one only really took about nine months. How do you avoid hitting the wall of ex- A very excited bunch of English people and heavy music. Grand Rokk is an ideal venue for tonight. offering, is slightly more user- What is your song writing process? haustion? who want nothing more than to put on It’s dark and gloomy, but it has an eerily soothing atmosphere. friendly, and nearly a concept album Just like the previous night the place was packed, and Where do you do your best composing? Well, the new line up has postponed a good show. I really can’t stress how ex- Plastic Gods got a warm welcome from an expectant crowd. in Metronomy’s own hall of mirrors The process is very confused, but it is ef- exhaustion to some extent. It’s very ex- cited we are, you probably get this a lot, Defining their music is hard. There was definitely a lot of manner, right from the moment the heavy, smoky and delicious sludge. Yet, there is also great ficient. I compose best in a dark room citing and new for us all. Otherwise, we but this is the highlight of our year. Chinese traditional sounds of the intensity and aggression. PG are definitely one of Iceland’s most exciting acts nowadays. after a few drinks...or an argument. don’t. We get ill on the road and do our intro-title track bank round a sky While I was still reeling from the psychedelic aftermath of How do you know you’ve made a best to keep up. Of course we have the of manipulated mariachi horns and Plastic Gods, Logn hit the stage. The little metalheads in front of me began their head-banging, so Logn were probably song you are happy with? What’s the best job in the whole universe, but it is military drums. The remarkable thing doing something right. feeling you get? not without its minor problems. about this second album is that it does, For some reason, they failed to impress. Yes, it was very fast, and the guitars had apparently been tuned beforehand at times, sound exactly like a night out by the Dark Lord’s own roadie, but therein lies the problem. I running through bars, or at least the may sound like an old fart here, but I couldn´t hear any riffs or fractured following-morning memories. power chords. It was just noise. Mainstream noise. The good thing is that these young guys were really hammering their High Fidelity Scorin’ some vinyl in RVK The End Of You Too lurches between guitars with full force. They may turn into something really indie discos playing Take Me Out by nasty one day, I hope. If you’re a serious musicologist you’ll know that vinyl is the ultimate form for experi- Next on stage was Myra whose members have been Franz Ferdinand, reggae cafes and 80s encing music. And if you don’t mind lugging some weight back home, then there are active in the metal/punk/hardcore scene for a long time. discos before finally leaving its mark Again, it is difficult to define their music but the word that a few places in Reykjavík where you can find some quality vinyl. comes to mind is heavy. Myra are heavy as shit, and I could with a half-heard bassline as if through The Kolaportið flea market (open Saturdays and Sundays) is the host to a few regu- feel my lower jaw begin to protrude while my mouth made the walls of a club. Throughout there unintelligible growling noises. That’s metal-fever, right there. lar vinyl booths. Usually there is quite a big selection, and although it’s heavy on old are nods to Devo, Talking Heads, rave The bass and drums got an evil groove going on, while the guitars smear total lunacy on top. The singer’s voice isn’t so Eagles and Rush albums, you can find some gems there if you rummage around. The culture, kiddy toys and anyone whose powerful, but he makes up for that with wild stage antics biggest booth there is run by a Mr. Lucky, who just happened to open a specialty shop hearts are blessed and bloody with and his howling sent shivers down my spine. Myra have been absent from the scene for a while, but I sincerely hope they at Hverfisgata 82, with over 20.000 vinyl LPs on offer, as well as CDs and DVDs. the frolics and frustrations of trying will stay for now, because they are simply awesome. At Vitastígur, a friendly fellow named Valdi runs a small shop with a good se- to break out of a small town—or, more It is always difficult to take to stage while the audience is still screaming for the last band, but Muck showed no sign of lection, especially in the metal genre. There you can also find a sizeable used CD accurately, getting out of their own retreating. Muck have some pretty powerful things up their selection. If you want brand new plastic, then the shops at Skífan and 12 Tónar on strange, poppy, amazing, annoyingly sleeve. I was especially impressed with the guitar players. The talented heads. Pip would understand. music is some kind of post hardcore. Fast, with cool and slow Laugavegur have new releases, and the few Icelandic albums that are available on intervals. I got pretty annoyed with the singer through the set. vinyl. - Páll Hilmarsson - Joe Shooman He sang in exactly the same pitch the whole time, and it was always this tiresome hardcore screaming. Trying a different Iceland aIRwaves Hangover Party blue lagoon - satuRday 17 octobeR

re200 - 12:30

This tour is specially designed for Iceland Airwaves guests and those who want to relax in the Blue Lagoon while listening to Iceland Airwaves music.

Departure from BSÍ Bus Terminal at 12:30. Pick up at hotels and guesthouses 30 minutes before departure. Return buses depart from the Blue Lagoon at 15:30.

PrIce 5900ISK Included: RetuRn bus faRe & admIssIon to the blue lagoon.

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BSÍ Bus Terminal 101 Reykjavík 580 5400 [email protected] / www.re.is 10 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves

Réttir Music Reviews Comic | By Hugleikur Dagsson approach every once in a while would not hurt. Friday 25.09.09 I remember seeing Momentum play a few years back. It was fast, heavy and brutal. I do not know what has happened Jacobsen since then, but they’re certainly neither fast nor brutal these days. It seems Momentum, like Sólstafir, have discovered Sin Fang Bous and Seabear main man Sindri DJs before and the road to indieville. It is admirable when bands try out new in-between acts tonight. He starts the evening by playing a things, and Momentum are clearly on the right track. The nice selection of minimal electronica, almost as if he’d raided music is ominous and dreamy, a delightful mix of metal and Thomas Morr’s collection. It works perfectly in warm up indie-rock. It lacked a certain punch however. Maybe it was Jacobsen, the crazy weather beating down outside. the sound, but a little more power would’ve helped. Starting off the evening are Pascal Pinon, whose looks - Flosi Þorgeirsson precede them. The ubiquitous ‘krútt’ generation style is certainly on display at tonight’s show, but it would be harsh to judge the four 15-year-old girls who make up the band based THE OUTER REACHES: on their look and write them off as just another krútt band. Pascal Pinon’s music deserves more than that, as it really GRAND ROKK late night shines and more than exceeds any label one could slap on it. Their simple lo-fi indie pop brings melodies you can’t help on the 25th of SEPTEMBER but get stuck in your head. Attracting a large crowd and well received by all present, they most definitely have a promising future. There are times I am relatively proud Next act, DJ Flugvél & Geimskip, is neither a duo nor to be from Iceland. The scene at a DJ. One girl armed with an array of old keyboards and a a quarter past midnight at Grand computer, DF&G plays a sort of naïve punk lo-fi videogame Rokk on the third night of Reykjavík electronica, similar in style akin to 12 Tónar legend Sigríður Round-Up may have been one of those Níelsdóttir. Unfortunately for DJ Flugvél & Geimskip, she doesn’t possess the charm and subtleties that makes times. It was like a dockside bar in a Kaurismäki Sigríður Níelsdóttir so likeable and that sound just seems old film, with the final dregs of the festival, audience- fashioned by now. and music-wise coming together at this fairly Svavar Pétur Eysteinsson of Skakkamanage fame turns wayward venue to indulge in their preferred up next to play as his musical alterego, Prins Póló. We are vices... sort of. treated to a short sharp set of his solo acoustic music. As a The drinks were a little too far on the big fan of Skakkamanage, I’m excited to witness Prins Póló play, but that is probably the problem. While obviously a great expensive side to fully set the scene, and of songwriter, without the aid of his comrades Svavar’s solo course, not every drunk in town had bought songs often sound like Skakkamanage demos—missing a lot tickets to Reykjavík Round-Up, nor were they of the charisma that makes Skakkamanage so enjoyable. This willing to sacrifice 1000 ISK of unemployment doesn’t seem to bother tonight’s crowd, though, and his set’s benefits otherwise spent on 22 oz of beer for a highlight is during final song Átján og hundrað from his début EP, where Svavar even gets a deserved sing along. one-night entry pass. In fact, I‘m a little surprised Sudden Weather Change have seen a lot of hype over anyone would, and I don‘t mean that as any kind the last year, which is worrying. Surely they can’t live up to all of insult to the bands playing that night. that. How wrong could I be, though. Sudden Weather Change No, I‘m just surprised that a city, a town of certainly wear their influences on their sleeves. Sounding like 200,000 people can not only have differing the bastard child of Sonic Youth and Pavement, they have big cultures and genres of music, but also shoes to fill and they certainly do, with a youthful energy and excitement on their side. From jangly quiet guitar buildups, to subcultures and subgenres. It‘s astounding, walls of distortion and loud throbbing bass lines, they show really, when you think about the numbers. It little regard for their equipment or personal safety, as one would be impossible to deny the existence of a guitarist ends up on the speaker boxes and the Jacobsen multitude of musical niches that exist in Iceland, mirror balls look in real danger. all of them diligently filled by someone or other Jacobsen has never seen a rock show like this and probably never will again. Finishing with a wall of feedback, who never makes any money doing it. while members sing Nothing Compares To You, Total Eclipse Not that the night‘s acts seemed overly Of The Heart and Stereo Rock ‘n Roll, theirs is a hype you concerned with fitting into any niches... or could well buy into. making any money. Peter & Wolf were two Downstairs, HumanWoman, consisting of DJ Magic bearded men who offered continuous and deeply and Sexy Lazer, show why they are some of the best house/ satisfying drones and beats playing for a half- techno/dub DJs in town. Playing a mixture of minimal techno and house, we are even lucky enough to get the first preview empty room of what looked mostly like drunk of songs off their forthcoming album. With both of them intellectuals and other music critics, most of adding live vocals over the top of a dub house beat, it points whom were probably pretty drunk as well. I found to exciting things to come for this pair. The future of dance it particularly amusing that along one of the walls music is in safe hands it would seem. - Adam Wood was a row of spare tables, upon which there sat an upturned second row along with their corresponding chairs. The place was so empty Friday 25.09.09 that the staff didn’t even need to lay all the tables NASA down. Peter & Wolf’s sci-fi strategy PC game Friday got off to a pretty chilled out start with Nóra opening soundtrack was eventually replaced by the things up for an evening of relaxed revelry. The five-piece band entertained a scattering of people with an interesting slightly more energetic keyboard stylings of mash up of instruments, creating music that was bit left of Orustubjarki. His tightly controlled, very centre and pretty cool. They didn’t exactly start the night with German-sounding techno was invigorating, and a bang but they played a nice set and got things going well drew more enthusiasm from the “crowd.” It was a enough, even if the audience at this point consisted mostly curious scene, made all the more fascinating by of photographers. its loudness, closeness and privacy. By the time Sing for me Sandra rolled up, the audience had grown to include a big bunch of teenagers, who I have up to this point omitted two particular appraised other audience members disdainfully and generally adjectives which, although offering a very didn’t seem to be particularly enthused by anything. The concise description of the first two acts I saw, guys in the band are a talented bunch, but still have a slightly just seem irrelevant and inadequate for their own young sound (the Blink 182 influences are firmly on their respective reasons. The first is hypnotic, but that sleeves) that will probably only improve with time. They used their voices well, creating cool triple harmonies, and their was, seemingly, the whole point of the music, and music, despite its adolescent sound, brought some intangible their likability hinged on being able to bring this element of difference. However, it was hard to get past the hypnotism across live. At that, they succeeded feeling of being at a high school dance, and the atmosphere brilliantly. The second word is trippy, and I just was heavy with the feeling of youthful indifference. haven’t used it up to this point because it’s a Then along came The Samúel Jón Samúelsson Big loathsome word used only by dim-witted cretins. Band who packed the place out with a loyal audience, inciting dancing and action. In fact, it was difficult not to Orrustubjarki managed to give his electronics get caught up in the funk and lose it a little bit on the dance a sort of confident lo-fi charm, a subtle onslaught floor. The band is huge (18 members in total) and brought of pop that at first seemed sublime and the right attitude, not taking themselves too seriously, and ingenious, blessed with the kind of consistent sporting a variety of fun costumes. They effortlessly set up persistence that gets you into a girl’s pants, but it a fun atmosphere for the evening, and their music paved the way well for Retro Stefson, who drew a huge crowd and did all kind of dissolved in the end. It became shallow not disappoint with their awesome blend of world and pop in a distinctly unwelcome way, and I remember music, rocking the crowd impressively with favourites such as feeling like an accessory to the murder of a Swiss Medallion and Papa Paulo III. As usual, they played a tight set. DJ for even liking it. The band works really well in a large venue, and their onstage Skorpulifur were another matter entirely. presence belies their youth (to be fair, they have been playing Well-intentioned, both as musicians and as a the Reykjavík scene for a good few years). The crowd in the right frame of mind to have their now freak show, they fell prey to two errors made far rather drunk and disorderly socks rocked off by FM Belfast, too often by small bands in small scenes. First off, who firmly delivered. There was confetti. There was frenzied the sound was awful. Grand Rokk almost always dancing. Their audience lapped it up. The band played a solid has bad sound, but Skorpulifur, being a playback- set of old and new material, appearing to let themselves go based duo, were particularly susceptible to this, in the moment as much as the drunken and excitable crowd. They were naturally called back for more at the end of their as the vocals were considerably louder than the set, and delivered a wicked encore that ended their set on playback, so the otherwise decisive force of their a high note. Most of the audience left at that point, leaving beats was rendered inconsequential. an enthusiastic core stomping around to the fresh beats laid Second, they played too long, and I want to down by Pedro Pilatus and Bear Hug. Comprising of Retro call people’s—and by people I mean musicians— Stefson bassist Logi Pedro and his friend Hugi Þeyr, the duo attention to this. I’ll print it in bold and uppercase played a sweet electro/hip hop set, interspersed with ODB samples and some nice female vocals. - Bergrún Anna and hope to Moses that the Grapevine’s excellent Hallsteinsdóttir layout people won’t fuck me over: IF YOUR BAND HAS NOT HAD AT LEAST ONE GOLD ALBUM, DO NOT BOTHER PLAYING FOR Friday 25.09.09 LONGER THAN 25 MINUTES. NOBODY GIVES Sódóma A SHIT, AND YOU’RE BETTER OFF LEAVING PEOPLE WANTING MORE. TRUST ME. Keflavík’s Hellvar start the night and they have gotten the So what started out as an exuberant all-out right idea by bringing some friends along to dance and shout performance from two slightly overweight and incite the rest of the audience to approach the stage. Their brand of electro-metal is fairly catchy and infectious, drunk guys, one wearing sequined two-piece but their drum machine is so loud, it’s borderline obnoxious. pyjamas and the other in Speedos and a swim The lead singer is pretty hard when she loses her guitar and cap (Why is it that all Icelandic men interested starts doing the soccer-mom shuffle. She should probably in exposing themselves in public are in terrible just hang onto her instrument. Iceland Airwaves 2009 CD Review shape, whereas the fit, slim ones always stay The boys in Jan Mayen don’t need to use their completely clothed?), eventually petered out to instruments as crutches, luckily, because they are far too busy making adorable, retro, garage-pop on them. It’s fun an obnoxiously repetitive display of attention- Oh yes! Dubby, poppy, swinkly that’s not what you wanted! You suck! and easy to clap along to, very enjoyable in the moment. whoring that, towards the end, failed to elicit The musicians deliver their songs with ample energy and basslines, Mr Oizo-esque bubbly farty The names of the songs go like this: even mild guffaws of entertainment. Oh sure, commitment, but something tells me they have yet to write electro-kazoo noises! Jaunty drums! Verdens Største Land (demo) / Fot I there was applause, but when isn’t there? I mean, the hit that will cement them as a solid band. Keep on truckin’, Yes, jaunty! Sweet pop melodies! Hose Grønt Lys I Alle Ledd / Togens they could have told jokes about Patrick Swayze kids. I would have taken an extra thirty minutes of Jan Mayen and Michael Jackson being lovers and dying of Harmonies! One Two Three Four Hule / Gomur Mamma (Unreleased)! over the snooze fest that was Miri. I was intrigued by the heartbeat wowness! Synths not You don’t care! You’re eating Pez AIDS, and somebody would have applauded. bombastic montage of classical music that the band entered Applause does not equal satisfaction. It has the stage with, but was promptly bummed out within 20 synthetics! Infiltration of happiness! direct from the dispenser and have become an utterly meaningless form of social seconds of hearing the band’s lacklustre preppy rock. This couldn’t get any better! Test me! a sudden urge to play with Rubiks communication, like a toast or a handjob. The crowd gets really riled up, but their dramatic stage That said, they were still pretty decent. They demeanour is complete overkill for their severely boring Try and listen to these songs without Cubes! Play this to the bankers and music. Every song seems to build up, then stop short and go just made two very common mistakes, one of smiling, groovin, grinnin and vowing the arschloch cunthurdling thieves nowhere. Yawn. which wasn’t entirely theirs, and their music is to order more sugary cocktails: that’s will explode, showering the world in Skakkamanage are a welcome relief from the previous Casiokids pretty interesting. If those men did not get laid act for the first few songs of their set, but once they take right, bucko, you can’t! Casiokids semi-digested hedge funds and blobs that night, I’d be very surprised. - Sindri Eldon it down a few notches, their standard indie rock stylings Singles (Moshi Moshi) have made you happy! Tough shit if of gold! Probably. - Joe Shooman simply become background music and I can tell they will be HAVE YOU SEEN THE ICELANDIC... 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Welcome to Reykjavik´s Thermal Pools Tel: +354 411 5000 www.itr.is www.spacity.is 12 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves to read exclusive interviews with Kidcrash, Moto Boy, Crystal Antlers and Cancer Bats

Réttir Music Reviews Interviews | By Haukur S Magnússon forgettable. They still manage to set a decent pace with their song list, starting fast then toning it down and bringing things back up at the end. They’ve fared well with the crowd. The room has filled and people are getting steadily liquored up as Kimono hit the stage and the lights go low. Things get off to an exciting start with one suspenseful, dark chord washing over rolling toms and suddenly kicks into hypnotic, dark, grunge punk. Their lyrics are weird and their time signatures give a nice big fuck-you to 4/4. The Canadian singer incites sheep impersonations from the crowd in honour of the event’s name. By the end, everyone in the front row has their eyes shut and are gently head banging. Beautiful. People begin chanting the next act’s name before they’ve even hit the stage and the smokers start crowding back into the room. When Ensími finally stops teasing the crowd and starts to play, everyone loses their shit. This is the second part of a long awaited reunion it seems. These guys were huge around 1996 I am told, and from the sounds of it, I can see why. It’s powerful stadium Brit-come-Iceland rock. The entire audience is in a nostalgic frenzy. Hands are in the air, people are making out and a full-on mosh pit forms. The band is in their element, playing their hearts out effortlessly. Definitely makes me miss my first summer rock festivals. The room fucking clears out right afterwards, leaving a scant handful of people to enjoy Swords of Chaos’ absolutely nutso set. They are left with only thirty minutes to tear shit up, so they waste no time screaming, thrashing ing myself when they are on. This time and diving into the small but insane crowd. An attempt at removing the stage-grates to allow for stage diving is Casiokids I believe we even play the same stage on Kasper Björke promptly stopped by furious security, but the pack of drunk, the same evening, so I promise to finally Brilliant song from Ghostly International. shirtless, long-haired men seem perfectly content just flailing Friday 21:50 Saturday 03:30 about the room to the super hardcore closers. Too bad it go see them, I’ll even bring my food to ended so soon. - Rebecca Louder Reykjavík Art Museum the concert if I have to. NASA Do you plan on catching any shows at Airwaves? Who are you interested in see- Saturday 26.09.09 Casiokids! Give us a short introduction What was the idea with the kindergarten Kasper Björke! Give us a short introduc- ing and why? Batteríið of yourself! Why should the uninitiated gigs? Were the kids into it? tion of yourself! Why should the uniniti- The Drums – I gotta check out their check out your show? We did a gig at Gyldenpris Kindergarten ated check out your show? show. The hype is so big around this The night began well, if a little quietly, easing festivalgoers into the spirit. Þórður Hermannsson enhanced the mellow You sound excited. I will suggest you in Bergen for our Norwegian release of I’ve been DJ-ing and making music for band, and I’ve heard so much good stuff atmosphere with his own brand of experimental folk, a very start more cautiously by first checking the album “Fück MIDI!” in 2006 and the past ten years – Icelanders might about their live show! chilled and easy way to start the night. The small audience just relaxed in the friendly atmosphere and took it all in over out our music and videos on Spotify or did not know what to expect, and we know me from one of my numerous DJ Oh Land – My good Danish friend, who a few quiet beers, sets in Reykjavik for the past five years, I actually discovered back in the day Adda continued the laid-back trend, keeping things on Myspace. Then, if you’re still positive were relieved and happy to see the kids the quiet side with an original acoustic set, entertaining and thrilled, come to our show and we so excited. Playing for kids, and especial- or my collaboration with FM Belfast, on MySpace, then signed her to Fake with her witty lyrics and delicate voice, while the crowd stayed pretty pacified, but appreciative nonetheless. She will try our best. ly in kindergartens when their parents Back & Spine, on my last album. Diamond Records (where I do A&R) accompanied the cosy, candle-lit mood exceptionally. are not around and they are just around Its really important to come to my and since then I’ve been trying to get If anything Lydía Grétars cranked things up a notch, although it would be an exaggeration to say that her Next week, you will board a flight to their friends, is as crazy as any chaotic, DJ sets this year, ‘cause there’ll be a fire- Airwaves to book her! So now finally she music was energetic. It did pick up the pace, though, and RVK. We assume you’ll be making an teenage home alone party. show and a juggler, and a snow-moun- is here and her live performance is stun- kept things from coming to a complete standstill. Using a keyboard, a laptop and a pretty sweet singing voice, she iPod playlist. Give us ten tracks you They let themselves go completely, tain builder! A sort of Balearic meets the ning! Her next album will be HUGE! accompanied her original lyrics with some experimental would put on it (and if you want to in- not caring what anyone thinks, and just North Pole kinda vibe. Fire and ice... No, FM Belfast - Always a great experience sampling and simple melodic piano. This curiously paved the way for the next act, reggae/dub clude a sentence on why for each one, roam around us in excitement, climb- but do come on down to Kaffibarinn Fri- to catch my Icelandic friends live, and group Ojba Rasta who, despite a big difference in sound, then by all means do). ing us and joining in on percussion and day night or Nasa on Saturday for a heavy the only chance to see one of my own didn’t stand out performing right after the acoustic trio. They picked up the pace somewhat, playing a set of good old- I must say first that I am very much look- instruments we lay around the room. dose of techno and disco. No stunts, just songs performed live (Back & Spine), fashioned reggae and filling the dance floor almost instantly. ing forward to coming! My first time in We respect them as much as any other great parties. where they sing and which they usually Ojba Rasta are a new-ish band to the Reykjavík scene, which is rather uncrowded in terms of reggae and dub bands, but Reykjavik and Iceland and I am very ex- audience, and since Casiokids started in include in their sets. Margeir at the Blue they stand themselves well, both as musicians in general and Next week, you will board a flight from Lagoon; usually I’m too hung-over to go, as a live act, giving a strong performance of easily danceable cited. Sorry that this playlist turned out 2004 we’ve done shows from everyone reggae. so melancholy and sad, I promise to put from 0 – 90. We don’t have a target audi- CPH to RVK. We assume you’ll be mak- but THIS YEAR I’m going to! Króna changed the tone suitably, with their own take on pure Icelandic rock. They kept the dance floor occupied my dancing shoes on in the evenings ence, and I think that no music has got ing an iPod playlist. Give us ten tracks And, oh, GusGus on Sunday evening! and the crowd entertained, although many chose to enjoy during the Airwaves festival. that. you would put on it and why. themselves from a seated position. There was still a good bit of headnodding and seat dancing going on to their good, Burt Bacharach The Drums - I Wanna Go Surfin’ - For You’ve been to Airwaves a bunch of honest rock. Their performance was solid although there was – Ill never fall in love again Does the band have any sort of MO and my last album in 2007, I was in NYC times. Any favourite memories you wish something a little bit standardised about the sound of Króna. The music will probably enjoy a lot of radio play but on stage Jens Lekman if so, what is it? working on tracks, and I actually tried to share? it lacks the personality of a band such as the previous Ojba – I Don’t Know if She’s worth 900 kr Our overall mission, even from the early to get Jonathan Pierce (the singer from Playing Kaffibarinn and stage div- Rasta. They did play their unpretentious rock music well and tight, though, and were enjoyable to watch. Bob Hund – Den Ensamme years when we made edits of our favou- The Drums) in the studio to record on a ing from the bar with Sexy Lazer (Jón The crowd suitably warmed up for the ever-popular Sjömannens Födelsedag rite tracks of New Kids on the Block, song, but it never happened. Atli, the Hairdoctor), Prinzhorn Dance Agent Fresco who, in their short lifespan, have made a deep mark and garnered a loyal following in the Reykjavík music Jonathan Johansson Queen and Beck to bring to our friend’s Mathew Jonson - When Love Feels Like School’s live performance, being drunk scene. Their popularity is well deserved and this show proved – En hand i Himlen parties, is to have a good time. Crying (Kasper Björke edit) – Yeah, I in the outdoor hot tubs at one of the lo- them entertaining as usual, building in intensity, with the crowd quickly graduating from enthusiastic head nodding to Cat Stevens – Don’t be shy made my own edit with a 4/4 beat, to cal swimming pools, following Margeir enthusiastic jumping and heaving in response to the explosive play in my sets. around on his marathon through Reykja- live performance. No one walked away disappointed, and the Wetete Mare – Muluqen Mellesse How should Airwaves guests prepare for band ended with the always-popular Eyes of a Cloud Catcher, Lloyd Chambers & The Soul Stirrers – your show? The XX – Shelter – One of many amaz- vík, playing between 20 and 75 DJ sets in leaving the stage to the sound of cries for more. After a fairly long pause, Kleerup provided a change in Come See About Me We would prefer if everyone came in ing songs from an amazing album. four days... and a lot of other memories atmosphere with some very danceable disco/house, packing Teeny Grownups – I Was a Teacher animal costumes. We like to believe Kasper Björke - Young Again – The new that are x rated, muah! the dance floor and keeping it that way for the whole duration of his one and half hour set. His bright music stood in stark Bjørn Torske – Møljekalas we connect well with animals, and this single from my next album, feat. Jacob contrast to the artful, heavy sound of Agent Fresco, but was Familjen – Kom Säger dom summer we did a show in a farm out- Bellens from I Got You On Tape on Your track with FM Belfast was pretty certainly not a step back in terms of quality. Good times all round. He wasn’t there to entertain and was fairly focused side of Oslo where we played an acous- vocals. Album’s out in February 2010. great. Any plans on further collabora- on his music, not bothering with any onstage theatrics while Do you plan on catching any shows at tic show for a sow, a goat and a handful Wareika - Burnin - Wareika is great tion? playing. This gave it more the feeling of a DJ set than a live show. The music stood for itself, though, and any antics would Airwaves? Who are you interested in see- of cows (a gang of chickens were also and Burnin is an ANTHEM from their Who knows... maybe for a future single have just been an addition to a strong live show. ing and why? nearby, though I suspect they were not forthcoming album on the Danish or remix? We are all busy people, but it The night ended with Sykur who kept the beats flowing with a solid set of their own electro-pop. Sykur were joined I want to see Micachu & The Shapes. I paying attention judging by their loud Tartelet label. could be fun! I’m just finishing a remix onstage by various collaborators, including Arnór from Agent have some of their tracks in my collec- clucking). (Answers by Ketil) Jarvis Cocker - Discosong (Pilooski edit) for múm these days, actually... and re- Fresco. They took the evening out in good style and submitted to demands for an encore, the presence of which was tion, like my favourites, Turn Me Well – Pilooski makes super edits! cently did one for GusGus, but The Presi- testament to their good live performance. - Bergrún Anna and Guts, so I’m curious to catch them The Antlers – Kettering - So depressing, dent never got back to me on that one! Hallsteinsdóttir live. I’ve had so many chances to see so good! them this summer on various festivals Bibio - Abrasion – Another great addi- in the UK, but I’m always eating or get- tion to the Warp catalogue. ting there too late or perhaps even play- Matthew Dear & Seth Troxler - Hurt –

06 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves for your daily Airwaves tips

Réttir Music Reviews Interview | By Ben Frost in a bland maudlin sonic fog—or if not, immensity never heard before, and re- Saturday 26.09.09 then too difficult to render any sort of alise that both that thought is not novel, Cultura pleasure or sliver of transcendence to the nor has it not been attempted before. I’m Squeegee listener. writing right now about certain mon- As I enter the basement of Kaffi Cultura for the Melodica showcase, troubadour Svavar Knútur is playing his version BF: What other people hear in your ster pipe organs built at the turn of the of Clementine on a ukulele. Introducing himself while still work is one thing, and lining your work century that would kill anything I could playing his ukulele, he even gets a la la sing along at the end enthusiast of tonight’s first track. His stage presence and interaction up next to Christian Fennesz, William make with a computer and PA system. with the crowd are just perfect, and his troubadour take Basinski, or myself even (ha!) I suspect And the heavy metal band that tried to on Nick Drake means we are all in for a special evening. A few hardened fans in the crowd put in requests and are Tim is tolerable, but probably a far cry from outplay the organ in Atlantic City in the kept happy as most are played. There are more anecdotes, a ukulele solo and a tale of getting accosted on a Hamburg what you hear in it. You have influences 1970s also failed to beat it. subway by drunk Germans that somehow turns into ukulele I’m sure, but I’m interested in the ones BF: Like paintings by Leonardo or covers of Eye Of The Tiger, Living On A Prayer, Rock Me Hecker Amadeus and Firestarter—‘cause in the German’s words, “he your listeners wouldn’t see—the ones Michelangelo, your compositions, to is the party man with the ukulele.” You look round the crowd you’ve abstracted far beyond the point of me, often reveal structure only from a and everyone is smiling from the pleasurable gig. Svavar may Friday 22:20 not be the party man the Germans wanted, but he is perfect recognition, and beyond music. I imag- certain distance, but up close they are for tonight’s mood. Iðnó ine literature, ice hockey and beer have infinitely human and flawed, even. By the time next artist Daníel Jónsson finally turns up, you can see he is visibly flustered by his late arrival. As soon as much input... Your new record, An Imaginary Coun- as he picks up the guitar and begins picking his way through I bought Tim Hecker’s LP Harmony in carefully stitched together, and by your TH: You could say that the ice hockey try, is like a chapel fresco painting with his first song, he starts feeling at home. Soft and gentle lyrics combine well in this candle lit cellar, and its rhymes perfectly Ultraviolet off the shelf at NYC’s Other use of refrains and codas—composi- game I played last night has as much or noise—which is perhaps most interest- with the raging storm outside. Music in 2006. Frankly, I nearly pissed tional devices rooted in classical music. probably more influence than abstract ing considering that you started as a Best known as bassist for Miri and Króna, Hjalti Jón Sverrisson is here tonight to play a collection of his own myself when the album opener, Blood Thoughts?” electronic composers, but who knows techno producer, a musical discipline songs. Not as captivating as Svavar or Daníel, he still shows for sure. I love all the musicians you which, if anything, visually conjures a his strong song-writing abilities, at times resembling an Rainbow, tore through my speakers for Tim Hecker: Yes, I think that’s quite acoustic version of Radiohead. Unfortunately, his voice the first time. It was like a Kandinsky fair and spot on. Although I often see the mention, but those direct links are only pragmatic, architectural approach. Are doesn’t seem to fit. Comparing anyone’s voice to Thom Yorke’s is probably unfair, however. painting had exploded across my living music more in terms of squeegee-based part of the package. I think the space you working from gridlines and blue- Mysterious Marta brings immediate appeal. Her finger room in sonic imagery perched at the oil painting than maybe brush-based. of arrangement makes a huge impact. prints or from light and shadows? picked guitar and beautiful voice bringing Regina Spektor to mind. She soon has the crowd under her spell and shows she intersection of noise, dissonance, and During the recording one of my last Music composed in dark, dank, window- TH: Part of why I sidestepped from has a promising future in her field. She keeps the momentum melody. records, Harmony in Ultraviolet, I was less rooms often seems more pressure- techno music was because of the need going as Svavar joins her on piano for a track, and it is just perfect. Again Svavar joins her for the final two songs of the The critically acclaimed Canadian’s reading a collection of Gerhard Rich- infused than the work done alongside to have predictable time signatures and set, finishing with a completely acoustic version of Heartless work has been described as “structured ter’s early writings and found that text light-strewn windows or even outdoors. things like that. My way of developing Heart and the quiet crowd show their appreciation for a magical performance. ambient” and “cathedral electronic mu- a million times more inspirational than Time of day, again, is something else. music is very messy and unstructured. As an added bonus tonight we get Halla Norðfjörð. sic”—the latter phrase was what actually anything directly musical. His flicker- I also find it interesting how much This is partly the fault (or blessing) of Although lacking the crowd interaction of the other performers, her voice along with a strummer guitar provide made me pick it up, because it has a cer- ing large abstract paintings from the music relates to what I’ve been doing the software I use. But it’s also a decision a softness that is the perfect end to the evening. Think of a tain Shakespearean oxymoronic imag- 80s and 90s have immense depth, and that I’ve never even heard—you know, to keep things off a linear, organised stripped down Beth Orton and you’re somewhere close. She dedicates her angry song to Davíð Oddsson, but it’s not really ery I appreciate, and I don’t know who it was fun to think of how something sort of diffused through other artists— path. I know techno producers who are angry. In fact, you can’t really imagine this songstress ever through second-order relationships, far more disorganised than I am, so it’s getting angry. It’s a fitting end to a beautiful evening in some said it, but they were spot-fucking-on. like that would transfer into the sonic perfect surroundings. - Adam Wood As a very special guest of the Bedroom palette. Having said all that, however, maybe hearing pieces in passing. I’m probably not that. I guess I was just more Community label, Airwaves 2009 will there is a limit to the music-as-visual-art listening to some new age music, prob- interested in music unhinged from the Saturday 26.09.09 mark Hecker’s debut in Iceland. metaphor. ably from the early eighties right now, direct referent of the metronome. Or as Grand Rokk Ben Frost: “I find it easier to talk I also agree with all the attempts to as I write this, and could have been re- you say, drawn to the ‘light and shadows’ instead of the right-angles of edifice. Entering Grand Rokk, I was not in the best of moods. Due to about music in visual terms than in au- obfuscate, transform, mangle and va- leased last year on certain ‘contempo- an optician’s mistake, I had been prescribed a wrong set of ral ones; and with that in mind, to me porize instruments or structures, I’d say rary’ respected labels from England or glasses, which resulted in serious headaches and nausea. Still, the show must go on and after gulping down a nearly your music is very much a painted im- it still fails in that it falls back on some- Germany (who would touch ‘new age’ Tim Hecker performs as a special guest of lethal dose of pain-killers I set out to hear what Okidoki age—oil paints on a brush. Would you times very traditional notions of musical music though!??!). the Bedroom Community Label Night @ would bring us. Sadly, I was too late to catch Helgi Valur’s show. This agree with that? Your records also im- form. Maybe that’s good though, in that The web of interrelationships is wide Iðnó on Friday October 16 at 22:20. young man with the angelic face and generally likeable ply grand design, demonstrated if any- there needs to be some sort of anchor or beyond imagination. I could say, ‘I’m attitude has recently released an album titled The Black Man is God, the White Man is the Devil. The less said about that thing by the way in which everything is things have the tendency to float away interested in making music at levels of choice for a title the better, but I couldn’t help wondering what Malcolm X would think of this? Still, I’m told this dude is good live. I will check that out as soon as possible. Feel like I owe the guy for showing up too late, migraine or not. I did arrive in time to see a young Brit hop around the Interview | By Tim Hecker sibilities of the studio as a compositional where they utter the same transients and stage fiddling with some effects and staring intently at his tool, talk about how you come to finish phrasing, I can create a space which is lap-top. This was Matthew Collings, and he had a guitar strapped to his scrawny and lanky frame. Why, I don’t know pieces like this. I was mentioning how drawing simultaneously on naturalism and it looked like he didn’t either. The music was some sort of One With fairly disorganised my work process is and surrealism. Those two opposing ambient drone only broken up occasionally when Mr. Collings realised he was playing for an audience of 13 and began to come to a result which seems some- elements are at the extreme edges of pounding his guitar in frustration until he returned to his what structured. Do you come at a piece my work here and between them they lap-top staring contest. This did nothing to quell my migraine, The Wolves quite the opposite. with a clear vision of structure, or is it a define an internal space where a whole At this time the pain in my head had gone from a dull throbbing to a searing hell. But I had heard too many messy, esoteric thing? other level of drama can play out and interesting things about Rökkurró, so I persevered. This is Ben Ben Frost: To an extent, I think may- that is my concern. a band comprised of five young people, two girls and three boys who had a nice quiet demeanour, play instruments like be that’s where you and I part company, I am saying explore this string in- the accordion and cello and I could have sworn I saw a few because generally my process is more strument as an animal, and this animal fairies jumping around...yes, this had KRÚTT written all over Frost it! Rökkurró is not a bad band. The music is serene, moody like a game of Jenga. I mostly build a as an instrument and then accept this and it felt like every song was some kind of a lullaby. Sadly, simple, predetermined structure from reality as a three dimensional space, a some of the guests had apparently forgotten they were at a concert and began chatting and laughing loudly. By then Friday 00:20 the ground up, until it’s a solid towering hyper-acoustic space and then focus on the Optician’s Curse hit me full time, and after having graced object, and then I start poking holes in it it because that is where my music will the lovely toilets of Grand Rokk with some colourful vomit, I Iðnó headed home. until it collapses. My work is organised occur. That means I missed the performance of Ljósvaki, Útidúr, in the sense that I have an end in sight, Iceland Airwaves 2009 CD Review Caterpillar men, Bárujárn and Dynamo Fog. I am sorry I first came across Ben’s music right I think perhaps that came partly as a re- about that and will definitely try to be around next time those around when Theory of Machines was action to the period surrounding Theory right from the beginning. artists will perform. I will just have to put my glasses on first. - Flosi Þorgeirsson released. Like most genres, electronic/ of Machines. That is not to say, however, that the experimental music can be very dull at It was also a return to music that end object is static, but rather it is some- Saturday 26.09.09 times. On the cover of his record I found was less calculated and more instinctual thing that is constantly being reshaped Jacobsen the musician suspended from what ap- and more rooted in chance and perfor- and contorted until all the redundant peared to be a meat hook in a butcher mance. Leo Needs A New Pair Of Shoes, material is removed. The structural be- The final night at Jacobsen was put on by the Breakbeat.is gang and it started off upstairs with some nice, glitchy, weird- shop; I later realised it was a medi- for example, is more or less a live record- ginning at that root level of most of this ass tech courtesy of DJ Hero’s Trial. He defies convention by calesque mise-en-scéne. The music con- ing and contains all of the core elements material often ties me to the grid, as you spending half the time sitting down, meanwhile pumping out super FX’ed sci-fi house, full of clicks, beeps and quivering tained on the disc has even more per- of this record at their most reduced and mentioned, which interestingly is prob- white noise. It’s like the soundtrack to an epic video game sonality. Not dull music at all—tranquil, bare form. Most of the material was ini- ably something that draws me to your or a Ridley Scott movie, and even the early bird crowd dances. The room has steadily packed in for the next act, and left brusque, ethereal, even violent at times. tially extrapolated from the simple cycli- work—a kind of-grass is greener-attrac- Moto Boy and right I am getting strong opposing opinions. Everyone tion perhaps? seems to have a nostalgic memory attached to XXX A charming addition to the robust world cal tonal patterns that wound up in Leo. Rottweiler, but they are extremely polarized. Not being of Icelandic music indeed. This record is like a Rothko paint- Tim Hecker: Another thing I love Moto Boy able to understand their apparently shocking lyrics, I am still impressed by their cadence and group dynamic. Even more Tim Hecker: I’m listening to your ing to me: it’s huge, warm clouds of co- about this record is the undeniable qual- Mozzer—were you in Sverige 20-odd years impressive is the crowd reaction and the overall energy of new record quite a bit (which is com- lour—big, dark blood reds, blacks and ity of breath as a transformative instru- their live show. I think I fall on the love side. ago? We think you were… Everyone is in need of a serious breather before the night’s ing out soon!) so let’s talk about that. golds. If it were a light source, it would ment. Whispers turn to gasps turn to If Morrissey was a little less of a miserable, main course comes on, and Kalli & Ewok provide the perfect It’s lush and heavy, but also whispers at be the glow of a burning church more distorted bass resonances turn to dog arguably racist posing old foppish shit- relief. They smooth things out with a set of shimmering 80s electro, offbeat old-school hip-hop grooves full of shakes times. Your music is great on a bunch than the cold light of a hospital, as in growls. The thing is that the nature of haired wannabe light entertainment Tony and heavy bass. Their use of pitch-shift is ample and clever, of levels, but there’s a looming threat to Theory. those sounds are never obvious, they al- Blackburn-show type buffoon, and if he blending old and new styles of drum’n’bass the whole time. spent less time waving flowers about and Down in the basement, NintenDJ has kicked off a set of this record that makes it special to me. All of those visually oriented, aes- ways sort of drift under the surface. Tell standard, classic d’n’b. The deep beats trip over each other a bit more time getting out and twatting Maybe you could talk about intention thetic ideas about this record are very me how you feel about leaving sounds nicely, as they should, and people are happily skipping about. around smiling with his mates, he’d write It’s all very fine and dandy, but ultimately my mind isn’t blown. and mood, because it seems like there’s much by design, and totally present like this lingering just at the threshold music like this. There’s such an optimism Dude still has a fucking great artist name, though. a coherent chromatic hue to this music from the start: again, utterly calculated. of audibility.... about the output of Swede Oskar Humlebo, Back upstairs, Hudson Mohawke is climbing up to the decks and I have managed to secure myself a comfy spot aka Moto Boy, that it’s nearly-impossible to and I’m curious how much of that was But when I started experimenting to get Ben Frost: Wasn’t it Hitchcock that sitting on a speaker at the front. The crowd around me is resist. Young Love opens matters on such design, or whether things took on a life to those colours, the elements—such as described how the abstract threats in out of control, screaming and bumping bodies to the funky, a promising, positive, excited note that sets Commodore 64 trip-tech. It’s no wonder why this UK boy- of their own in the studio. the animal recordings and the breathing films like The Birds and Psycho are the tone for the rest of an album that draws wonder has been so heavily anticipated. Jumping back and forth in time between the late 70s and early 90s, his songs Ben Frost: I felt a definite pull back transformative qualities of the instru- ultimately more thrilling than the ex- heavily on the Smiths/Cure blueprint—Ride are full of elastic bass lines and lush, twinkling keyboards to more acoustic, classical elements with ments—came into play. Utilising a wolf plicit ones? There is an element of that My Wild Heart is brilliant pastiche. creating absolutely gorgeous and infectious hits. Pretty soon, It’s jangly, wistful, summery, very Eighties, I am dancing on that speaker. this record, specifically the thick dark recording or an orca recording here or mentality for me in this record: creating Once Hudson finishes up, nearly everyone heads and will have girls and boys alike twirling wooden sounds that you find in old Ger- there seemed isolated and kind of a twee a sort of lingering unease which I find downstairs to hear Muted finish up the night with more their hair in their fingers and cleaning classic drum’n’bass tracks. He throws in a bunch of old man made pianos, hammered string gesture that ultimately commanded a intoxicating. I am not concerned with di- imaginary birdshit off their kaftan sleeves school jungle for good measure. It’s a nice way to come down instruments like the harpsichord, and more thorough investigation—I am not dacticism in music though, but instead whilst shuffling about shyly, staring at the from the previous act and regain some composure, but it’s also steady and hard to stop dancing. Unfortunately, the cops of course the double bass—performed interested in making ‘sample’ music. I am more interested in duality and the floor in the corner of a particularly shy party. showed up before 6am and that was how it all rounded up. by Borgar Magnason—which was very Tim Hecker: Since you work in a intersection of juxtaposing elements. - Joe Shooman Good times! - Rebecca Louder much at the heart of it and very con- studio quite a lot, and this record being By placing a growling wolf in the left sciously decided. I cannot say why, but what I think is the product of the pos- channel and a double bass in the right Góð tónlist á betra verði!

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Special Airwaves offer on Icelandic music Check out our Musicians´ Top 5 Lists, and off–venue program. We have everything from books to music to coffee to mittens, all of which can come in handy in Iceland in October. Designer Airwaves T-shirts only at Eymundsson Austurstræti.

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eymundsson.is 16 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves for your daily Airwaves tips

Réttir Music Reviews Shopping | By Haukur S Magnússon Elsewhere| By Birkir Fjalar Viðarsson Saturday 26.09.09 NASA The Jet Korine Guide T’was an evening that went from chill to cool to fantastic to There’s Also Icelandic kick ass to fucking outrageous. The evening’s NASA line-up hinted that this would be a night to remember. Chill: The two adolescent boys who make up Nolo kick- To Buying Fashion started the evening with some laidback electro. Although Metal! Check it out! they hit some sour notes, these guys charmed the hell out of the few who dared venture out in the Reykjavík nightlife at such an early hour. Their performance was wobbly at first, but During Airwaves The Airwaves festival is a devastating knock out, each and every Nolo got their act together and brought about a great deal of headnodding and shoe tapping. good thing. Bunch of bands, time they step into the ring. This band Cool: They came, they played, and they left. Don’t get me Jet Korine is a Reykjavík based fashion amalgam of styles and keeps pushing their sound at an even wrong, Leaves did a damn good job and they excel at doing their thing (their thing being mainstream rock radio hit fare). designer, stylist and costume designer. genres. Couple of great bands, bunch of pace, with pretty much new songs to add It just failed to impress. Maybe Leaves are to fault, or this She hails from the Netherlands, al- good ones, healthy dose of meh-bands to their much loved set-lists every three really annoying dude in the audience that sported sunglasses. In any case, this reviewer could not seem to concentrate on though she has been in Iceland long and then there are the selected annoy- months or something. Such is the pro- anything other than figuring out something offensive to say to enough for folks to call her an Icelander. ing, pretentious and pathetic bands. lific work ethic of these young lads. him. Fantastic: Danish outfit The State, The Market & The She is without doubt one of Reykjavík’s And I wouldn’t want it any other way, re- www.myspace.com/celestinemusic DJ had me at the very first notes. The real slow sweet beauty smartest dressers, and she does a lot of ally. Strength through diversity, eh? This made you want lie in the middle of a frosty meadow under a starry sky, rather than standing in a dim concert venue dressing other folks for a living, too. She Spúútnik is the rawest version of year’s line-up has less heavy, raging and What happens when a black metal band amidst audience members who can’t shut the hell up. My only knows all about clothes. the select vintage stores. They have ev- extreme bands than before, so why not has a nu-metal-sounding name? Noth- objection is that they left the stage way too soon. Kick ass: What the hell is going on?! Suddenly NASA is So we thought we’d ask her to help erything available for girls and boys, in take a look at some bands not included in ing. That’s what happens. Chao play packed to such an extent that there is no chance of moving an inch. Or breathing correctly, for that matter. Apparat us compile a sorta guide to fashion shop- good amounts. For select female pieces, the fest, but are still worthy of your atten- furious black metal that is true to the Organ Quartet is finally reunited to many people’s delight, ping at Airwaves. All she asked in return Nostalgía and Rokk & Rósir are the place tion, seeing as you are snooping around alienating, raw, monotonous and simple and the concert is totally worth the wait. It’s out of this world, utterly brilliant and totally awesome. is that we mention that JET KORINE, the to go – they have a bit more narrowed the Icelandic grassroots anyway. elements that made the genre so notori- Fucking outrageous: Gas mask plus pink glitter spandex brand, will be available on-line this win- down version. ous. But this is not some throwback, ret- plus yellow rubber gloves plus playful rock. Dr. Spock take the stage. Totally twisted, totally outrageous, totally awesome. ter, and its cool blanket coats can already At Dodge City, are a busy bunch. Play- ro stuff. The song structures, dynamic They put on quite the impressive show whether or not you’re be spotted on Reykjavík streets, as worn Select second-hand // ing shows frequently and all over the drumming, evil yet catchy guitar pick- into their music, and you gotta love them for that. - Louise Petersson by rare fashionistas. So there you have it. New items place. Not a million miles away from lat- ing as well as the surprising stop and The Jet Korine guide to Airwaves er-day Poison The Well and Every Time go’s make Chao a breath of fresh and Saturday 26.09.09 fashion shopping is divided into xx lev- Herrafataverzlun Kormáks & Skjaldar I Die at their most calmed down and Christ killing air in the Icelandic metal Sódóma els, according to how much they’ll cost Kormákur & Skjöldur have both second hook-minded. Featuring confident and scene. So good. you. We start with some cheapo second- hand and new items, and they have the dynamic vocals as well as pretty rough www.myspace.com/chaobm I arrive at Sódóma armed with vodka as Lockerbie start their set. Winning the prize for dodgiest band name this weekend hand shopping, move up to pre-selected finest collection within their specialised sounding bass. (well dodgy if they were British), their post-rock sound is second hand shopping, finally ending at corner. The store is a nice little niche out- www. myspace.com/atdodgecity Momentum is one of the most talked laden with a poppy tinge. Unlike fellow post-rockers For A Minor Reflection, they mercifully keep the songs down to a some first hand shopping and design- fit where boys can go and, to put it into about bands today, which is pretty im- mere 4 minutes. But they have a bloody string section and a stuff. fashion terms, buy themselves a style, Atrum rule, OK? These guys play cold, pressive as they rarely play. The band trumpet! Whatever happened to the power trio? I unload my fifth vodka as Monotown take to the stage. with a little ambiance from the old days. heathen, blackened death metal with keeps evolving, playing with people’s ex- However, their boring dud rock positively violates the core of my being and so I leave Sódóma to go to Dillon to say happy Second-hand // They also sell Farmer’s Market sweaters the right amount of thrashy rawness to pectations. Having long since forsaken birthday to a friend. Selected second-hand and they do have an incredible amount keep them in safe distance from the pol- their black metalish beginnings, we now When I return, Weapons have already started playing. Compared to the previous band, they´re a breath of fresh air. of suits that will fit anyone of any size, ished and lame sound of many of today’s find them in some psychedelic proggy They do a natty line in powerful guitar pop which, while not Cool vintage pieces are an absolute main with any taste. larger metal acts. But that’s not enough metal sphere. Makes them all the more groundbreaking, is simple and direct. Which is what I crave. Also, the bass player throws some good poses with his low fashion item that has always been really Aftur to impress me. The kicker here is some curious. slung bass. strong in Iceland. They help you person- Aftur give second hand items a new life, bloody good song writing that doesn’t www.myspace.com/momentumtheband I should be enjoying Mammút, but for some reason they leave me flat. Perhaps it was having their last album on repeat alise your outfits, because you won’t find which is definitely a dominant down- rely on low-tunings or studio trickery. loop for 10 hours on a driving trip that means their songs them on other people. They are easy to town look. They rework second hand Great dual vocals in just the right places, Not nearly as spaced out but indefinitely don´t seem to have the same immediacy they used to. Having said that, Svefnsýkt is always a treat to hear and jump to. combine with design pieces, and a lot items into new garments, in a very par- topped with lead vocals that bring to more baked are seekers of the riff, Plas- More vodka barman! of design pieces need that, to not be too ticular and recognizable way that a lot of mind Celtic Frost and Bathory from time tic Gods. Iceland’s only band that is By now my notes seem to have taken on a weird hieroglyphic nature as the alcohol digs its cold, bitch mistress sterile and clean. people have tried to copy, but just can’t. to time. Boner inducing. proper in their doom, sludge and heavy claws into my brain. Bodebrixen start their set and they freak Their items feature a fantastic use of www.myspace.com/atrumiceland stoner dabblings. Boris, Sunn 0))) and me out. They all seem to be wearing the same striped shirts, Hjálpræðisherinn // giving them the look of an indie Brady bunch or some crazed The Red Cross Stores // Kolaportið patchwork and collage, and a fine-tuned Grief come to mind. Rad. sect. And they smile waaay too much. But their music is OK for jaunty pop, not brilliant, just OK. This is the rawest version of second hand sense of colour that others don’t seem to Which brings me to Beneath, who also www.myspace.com/plasticgods Bróðir Svartúlfs start playing and my attention clothing. You get everything from fleece be able to repeat. have an air of maturity around them, due seriously starts to wander. I find their loose rap rock a little undercooked and uninspiring, so I spend most of time making sweaters to ugly tacky jeans; you can nev- to the fact that two of the members are, Ever so catholic, Severed Crotch re- drunken texts and being a pain in the arse. er count on good items. But those who New items // Design erm, old. In Icelandic metal terms, at main the scene’s most beloved band. Thank Christ for Bloodgroup. Their electroclash stomp shakes me from my cynical torpor from the first song and are up for it, and are armed with some from around the world least. But fear not, their brand of modern Liked by metalheads of varying degrees, keeps me there all the way through. Along with the low good taste or the funkiness to bear those death metal is plenty modern and dense they somehow manage to marry a rag- farting bass synths and serious grooves, frontwoman Lilja struts the stage like some demented Valkyrie on a serious kinds of items can get excellent bargains Here’s where we leave second hand and with layers upon layers of intricate guitar ing party time with their technical ultra mission to destroy us all. I’m even more surprised to find at the Red Cross stores on Laugavegur look at stores that host Icelandic and work, melodies and crushing mid-tem- brutal death metal. Set firmly in the myself dancing like a bear high on dodgy honey. I decide to call it a night and go home. Unfortunately and Hlemmur, Hjálpræðisherinn on foreign design brands that are a little po parts. Each song has so much going modern genre, these days we see them my taxi money has gone on vodka so I’m forced to trek the Ránargata and the Kolaportið flea mar- pricier. on that it could confuse you at first listen flirt a little with the old school as well. 10km back to Breiðholt. In the rain. Oh yeah a consummate professional. - Bob Cluness ket on weekends. Belleville but stick with it and it will prove more And it works charms. To successfully shop at those stores, Belleville is cool and slick, and they have musical than you’d anticipated. www.myspace.com/severedcrotch the individual must have a clear view a new shipment of Bernhard Willhelm www.myspace.com/beneathdeathmetal on how to combine his or her clothes, in store. They also sell Raf Simon and Svartidauði is probably the most true although they could be the place to get Cosmic Wonder – all very nice brands. Bastard never really pull it off live and and uncompromising in their take on inspiration to buy something unusual. KronKron in the beginning there were too many no-bullshit, misanthropic, pro-degrada- Always leave the fleece behind. KronKron is a design store where you’ll awkward elements going on in their tion black metal. Naturally they are kvlt- Spúútnik // Rokk & Rósir // Nostalgía get pricey, but extremely beautiful, de- music, but luckily for them their pro- as fuck and actually deserve the hype, These stores cherry pick the best items sign items. They have a couple of Icelan- gression is a positive one and they are because their BM will hurt you, and your from second-hand markets, so you dic brands, a lot of Scandinavian stuff going into the right direction with their friends will hate it. Wonderful. wind up paying a bit more, but finding like Henrik Vibskov as well as lots of in- dynamic blackened death. www.myspace.com/svartidaudi a special piece is a lot easier. I recom- ternational designers. It’s really the only www.myspace.com/heavymetalbastard mend getting some Dr. Martens at these store in Reykjavík that sums up Scandi- stores; they’re an absolute must. Prefer- navian streetwear on a design level. Iceland’s heaviest Celestine deliver ably green, red or black. a sonic combination that ends with a

18 Grapevine Airwaves Mini 2009 Go to www.grapevine.is/airwaves for full versions of these interviews + extras!

Interviews | by Haukur S Magnússon YOU WANT ANSWERS? WE’VE GOT YOUR ANSWERS A bunch of local Airwaves bands answer a bunch of our questions

There are literally millions of lo- local bands. and loud music in 4/4.” 6) Take the Krýsuvík circle via Grinda- cal bands playing Iceland Airwaves Then if you’re hungry, go late with a 2) Retro Stefson, since they are awesome, vik. That will make your day. this year. You visitors will need to group of people and fill the super robery- Micachu and the Shapes, because I hope check them out. Of course we will be market 10-11. Try to steal as much as you they are awesome, and Reykjavík! since checking them out too, but then, we can, and don´t feel sorry. they make awesome an understatement. check them out all the time, as we 5) Plan to see bands you don’t know, that live here and they are always play- Dynamo Fog is the best way to experience this festival. ing (this is why many of them are so Wednesday 22:30 Sódóma Try to see some off venue gigs. Overplan- good, too, playing a lot). “The only really remarkable thing about ning is forbidden: leave room for the un- We thought you Airwaves new- us is that we’ve all been in more popular expected. Go to Havarí to buy Icelandic Ólafur Arnalds comers might benefit from getting bands than this at one stage or another, Records and Kolaportið for all your vinyl Saturday 22:00 Iðnó to know some of them, and getting and we use an electronic drum kit.” dreams (if you’re lucky). “You can expect a lot of new material, as I their advice, so we e-mailed a bunch 7) That’s kind of a loaded question, so Dikta 6) Grótta is nice and Rauðhólar are close am just finishing recording my next full of them the following questions. I’m going to give the short version: ev- Friday 22:30 Sódóma by. length album.” ery year, the scene grows more self-con- “People can expect a powerful and lively 3) I think Airwaves has always been about 1) Who are you? What can we expect scious, more arrogant, more post, more performance from us at Airwaves, as discovering new exciting acts rather than from your Airwaves appearance, and retro, more arty, more ironic and more usual.” seeing bands that are already on the top. At what can we expect of you in gen- new-wave. 5) As all the concerts at Airwaves are least for me, the most fun is to go see bands eral? held in small-to-medium sized venues, I haven’t heard much about before. The Ice- they can sometimes get packed. Some- land Airwaves crew has always had a good 2) What are some of the acts you’ll times queues build up. It’s a good rule of eye for bands that will make it big just in the want to see at this festival, and why? thumb to show up early if there’s some- Agent Fresco year after Airwaves. thing you really want to see, and not leave Thursday 23:20 Grand Rokk and Satur- 5) Don’t forget about the off-venue shows! 3) This year sees fewer ‘large’ inter- the venue until that act is over. Another day 23:20 Sódóma Try to find out who is playing where and go national acts on the schedule. Do good one is to wear warm clothes that “We promise you the most energetic and see them. Some of these shows are much you believe this changes anything for Kimono can be easily removed and stuffed in a musically tight concert at this Airwaves.” more intimate and fun than the bands’ the festival in general, and its spirit? Wednesday 23:30 NASA bag once inside. It can sometimes be 3) I of course try not to think that way, main shows. “At Airwaves we will focus on new mate- extremely chilly in October in Iceland, focusing on what’s missing that is. We 4) Looking back, do you have a fa- rial off EM4DP and people can expect to but the venues are, understandably, often could go on and on about artists we all vourite edition of Iceland Airwaves? be blown to smithereens. That is all.” quite hot. wanted to see, but that’s just being silly And if so, why? 4) I think it was at Airwaves 3 years ago, I recommend Sushibarinn, next to and won’t get you anywhere. I’m first and when we had bands like Brazilian Girls Kofi Tómasar Frænda on Laugavegur. foremost grateful for being a part of this 5) A lot of our readers are first time over. There was something in the air, It’s a tiny place, but they make good su- festival. I think we’re playing about five Airwaves-visitors. Do you have any some type of uncertain lunacy... Drag- shi, and you can have it brought over to times during the festivities, so I know Weapons tips for them? What to see, what to ging the bassist from Brazilian Girls out Uncle Tom’s Cabin and dine there. Very that it’s going to be an impulsive, hectic Saturday 20:20 Grand Rokk do, what to avoid, etc.? Where to buy of a dumpster behind Bæjarins Bestu in cosy. dance, trying to get to listen to as many “What you can expect from our appearance records? Or a good place to grab the middle of the day, and later that night acts as possible. is that we will give it our best. And I will give a bite or get away from it all for a seeing him perform at NASA, buck-na- 5) Just walk down Laugavegur and scout it my best in general. “ while? ked... Priceless. continuously down to where the venues 4) The 2004 festival was amazing! With are. It’s Reykjavík, it’s not that big, and two of my favourite bands The Shins and 6) Given that most Airwaves visi- it’s intensified with good unique stuff the Stills playing back to back. tors won’t have a lot of time in their and decent record stores. 5) Go to Devitos Pizza at Hlemmur. It’s the schedule to see the Icelandic coun- best pizza place in the city. tryside, are there any nature-havens close by that you’d recommend? EBERG Thursday 22:30 Batteríið 7) Has a lot changed in the Icelandic BÁRUJÁRN “In general, you can expect a soft, tipsy music scene since Airwaves 2008? Friday 20:00 Sódóma guy who barks occasionally.” How about Airwaves 2004? “In general, you can expect flag burn- 3) Iceland Airwaves has always been ings, haddock fucking and hopefully a about the grassroots in my eyes. I´m not GHOSTIGITAL A lot of them answered. Well, 11 record soon from us.” there to see massive international bands. Saturday 21:40 Batteríið Miri of them answered. And they’re all 5) Go and watch the masses skin bank- I´m there to see some local bands, and a “Fit and really working again. Out of “Most of the time when you go to con- such wordy folks that we couldn’t ers and politicians alive every Saturday at few interesting international ones. breath! A bit harder, wiser and out of certs your mind starts to wander off some- really fit their answers in the paper. Austurvöllur, three o’ clock. pocket! Dirty dancing.” where else midway through the first song. So here’s what we’ll do: we’re pub- If there’s a huge line at the big venues 2) Micachu and the Shapes – There is This will not happen at our show.” lishing selected answers from each and you are planning on staying there hope 5) Don’t get to drunk too early! It might outfit (usually the best ones) and for an hour or two, at least try to carry as Jungle Fiction – Young dudes seem like a good idea at the moment but we you can log on to www.grapevine.is/ much alcohol on you as possible. Then Captain Fufanu – The future absolutely have missed a lot of good shows or can’t re- airwaves to read their full interviews. you won´t have to buy beer from the and eh, Ghostigital – Unavoidable. member them because of that! Dress prop- We will also have other stuff there: venues at ridiculous prices. Instead, use 4) There is no looking back, but every erly, the nights are gonna be cold! Don’t goodies, blogs, interviews + up to your money to buy records directly from FM Belfast festival has had its flavour! think you can run between shows every five date Airwaves news. Anyway, here the local bands. Better yet, not going in Saturday 01:10 Nasa 5) Basically step out, turn left, if you minutes! There are always gonna be some are some answers: if there’s a long line, instead exploring “General nonsense, civil disobedience don’t find anything, go back and take the lines. Walk around town during the days smaller venues and experience smaller and dancing friends with blinking lights right. You will always find something. and drop into random off-venue concerts.

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Swimming LV J TI 15 Sushismiðjan “Financial

A PP ∆ L K Pool LAG I UR RÆ LA Geirsgötu 3 AT LÆ T ÍG A ÆT K District” A S R ST AT TS Lauga This is a seriously great place to A ST TI NS T RG City OL vegu14 r grab a quick and quality sushi lunch. HR AT FS 11 A ÚN H V ART INGB Hall Taxi RÆR Pre-preparedBORG boxes of maki and nigiri ÐU RG LaÓL ugavegur T 18 SU Up are reasonable priced and really well NA ÞING NG RA INGÓLReykjavík’s mARSain shopping SK made, amply filled with deliciously U AR and culture AÐstreet, featuring T R TJ T Ó Town HVE Thfreshe ingredients. The indoor seating LA RF a wide rangGS e of bars, bistros, Tower GU IS R V R G area is limited to some stools and cafes and restaurants. U ATA EGUR E ÖR VE B ÍG outward-facing wall-mounted A L UV ÐU T AU

ÁS ORIGINAL TASTE City TA GA INDIAN & PAKISTAtabletopsNI but there are a couple of

KJ ST AS VEGU

Pond UF G ÚN GA R SKÚL R E tables and chairs set up outside the I S ÍGUR T KK TISG R AT LA AG ÍK IN A AT ATA front door for those wanting to watch ÞÓ A Hlemmur NÓ FR FR ÍGUR ÓÐ UT the ships and tourists in the harbour RSG UR Bus National ST ÍG West RA while they eat. CF A Terminal Gallery ATA ST B of Iceland VIT S A Side UR N www.farmersmarket.is NJ RR 16 EL ÁLSG Pizzuverksmiðjan HÁ A TÚN ∆ IM AT AT NO A BARÓ S Taxi Lækjargata 8 RK BE Laugardals Hallgríms R INDIAN INDIAN BI GÞÓ Best. Pizza. Ever. Seriously, this pizza is Swimming BALDURSG kirkja R LUNCH Pool UG ridiculouslyDINNER delicious, and the chilli and Church ATA LAU SÓLE 1290.- INDIAN - PAKISTANI CUISINE GUR garlic oils that1490.- accompany it areG to die A TA BRAUTARHOLT AV AT GA TÍ EG AG AR AUSTURSTRÆTI 4, Tel. 551 0292 wwfor.w Added.sha lbonusesimar. iofs this joint are theU R YJ AG RS BR ARÐ super-friendly owner, Óli, and the cool AR The Einar NJ RÁ and casual atmosphere in which to A GA Jónsson Sundhöllin stuff your mouth with slice after slice Museum UÐ TA Swimming S A K of cheesy, crusty goodness. CF University R Pool RA IPHOL S AT GU KIPH of Iceland BERG OL RG SSTÍ 17 Hljómskáli T Austur T EI ÐU ÚN Park ST R BARÓN Austurstræti 7 ÍK SU University HR AÐ East AT SG of Iceland INGB ARST AT UT Sleek andNÓ shiny, this new restaurant Park L T R A RA Side and bar is a straight-up boutique AU RÆ AU B AU FÁ A T TI hot spot for stylish kids and trendy SV BR RR professionals alike. Appropriate for EGUR RS HÁ NO TE formal business meetings but casual S NA IGSVE GUR enough for the roll-out-bed-at-5pm

GUN crowd, they serve up ample, satisfying, Miklatún Nordic House ÍGUR modern dishes at reasonable prices. Culture Center Park FLÓK This is also one of the rare places to VA AG TNSMÝR ÁRST A get a full breakfast all day long! It’s R TA ARVE really fucking good too. RL GA ÐA GUR ML 11 12 Kjarvalsstaðir TA 10 Santa Maria AU Prikið A HR Bakkus National GA INGB R 18 Karamba AR BSÍ TryggvagötuRA 22 – Naustarmegin Laugavegur 22 BankastrætiMuseum 12 UT T RÐ Coach Laugavegur 22 A Terminal A new and welcome addition to On Laugavegur, Santa Maria offers Prikið is one of those places that AU NJ Reykajvík’s bar scene, Bakkus serves a fairly extensive menu of Mexican shape-shifts. It’s a warm café with Hotspot in town Karamba is a colourful BR Ð Í up reasonably priced beer, a really dishes and drinks at a really photographs of their senior frequenters AR L and eclectic bar on Laugavegur with HR impressive selection of international reasonable price – possibly some on weekday mornings, a hung-over ÝR IN AH a comfortable atmosphere, typically GB vodkas and an atmosphere unlike of the best in the city. The décor is hangout on weekend afternoons, and M R great music and a chill crowd. This is U AU NG T any other in town. An eclectic mix of colourful and welcoming, the portions during nights it’s filled to the brim a goodB place to relax or to do some LA ÓLS patrons, regular live music and movie are generous and the service is fast with what remains of Iceland’s hip serious drinking.TAÐ Plus, their decors INGL MIK ARH nights keep this place interesting and friendly. Recommended. CF LABRhop scene. Go there in daytime for the are done strictly byLÍ Grapevine-friendlyÐ KR and always inviting. Expect dancing cheapAU burgers; enter at night for some Reykjavík T artists, such as Lóa (who does our Kringlan

Domestic on tables and to-the-death foosball OTT hip-hop debauchery, old skool comics), Hugleikur Dagsson (who Shopping

battles. CF and the latest bangers alike. SKK Center∆ ∆ Airport illustrates the monster column) and Bobby Breiðholt (who’s done a lot of nice illustrations for us); they are truly a sight to behold. CF

ICELANDIC Fish, Lamb & Chicken in original PAKISTANI & INDIAN curries, TANDOORI dishes, TANDOORI Nan breads Kebabs, Samosas,Vegetarian specialities, LUNCH BUFFET(11:30--15:30) & DINNER OFFERS

Pakistani-indian kebab & curry cuisine AUSTURSTRÆTI 4, Tel. 551 0292 www.shalimar.is ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS

Cocktail pleasures and 31 1pm Visual stimulation Gerðuberg Culture Centre Art Exhibition Art in the life and fiction of Kristín How to use the listings Marja Baldursdóttir. Ongoing until Venues are listed alphabetically by day. January 3. For complete listings and detailed information on venues visit www.grapevine.is OPENING ONGOING ASÍ Art Museum OCTOBER September 26 - October 18 Roles 9 6pm Guðjón Ketilsson exhibits new sculp- Lost Horse Gallery tures and drawings in the Ásmundar- No Man’s Land salur. Photography and video installations by Lothar Pöpperl Julia Staples and Lana Vogestad. Join Lothar Pöpperl exhibits paintings, pho- the artists for an evening of art, ice tographs and three dimensional works cream and beer on opening night. in Gryfjan and Arinstofa. Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture 10 5pm Museum Gallerí Tukt Permanent Exhibition: I’m Collecting Monsters In Your The Shape of Line. Bed A new retrospective of works by Exhibit featuring the works of Berlin- Ásmundur Sveinsson. The exhibition based illustrator Carmen Maria Traud, focuses on abstract works from 1945 aka Frau Grau. Ongoing until October onwards. 24. May 01- April 30 2010 RHYTHM- Ásmundur and Our Age 10 2pm This exhibition showcases contempo- Gallerí Havarí rary artists that tackle similar issues Nine of the most progressive artists in as Ásmundur did in his time, but in a Iceland exhibit their works. context of a new age. The Culture House Permanent Exhibition: 10 11 12 6pm and 3pm Reykjavík Art Museum Medieval Manuscripts Hafnarhús March 28- January 10 2010 See The Sea Change ICELAND::FILM Project ASEA screens Barbara Et- This exhibition traces for the first time tinger’s documentary A Sea Change the development of Icelandic filmmak- on October 10 at 6pm and on October ing from its origins around 1904 to the 11 and 12 at 3pm. year 2008. September 16 - December 1 Postal History and Transport 17 1pm September 25 - November 25 Gerðuberg Culture Centre Goðar Íslands and Múmíumúsin Where pleasure lives Sigurður Gunnarsson and Kristín Elva Exhibition on Halla Einarsdóttir’s life Rögnvaldsdóttir exhibit their works. and poetry. Ongoing until January 3. The Library Room Current exhibitions: 17 2pm August 12 - ongoing Kling & Bang Gallery National Archives of Iceland - 90 Black Swans years in the museum building. Iceland is a dish best served cold Commemorating the 100th anniversary Exhibit by Icelandic Love Corporation. Ongoing until November 5. of the Culture House. Sheepskin, Saffian and Shirting Exhibiting the tools and equipment 24 1pm used in book binding. ASÍ Art Museum Exhibition Series: Gunnfríður Jónsdóttir Paintings by Hulda Viljálmsdóttir. An exhibition of the works of sculptor The Einar Jónsson Museum Gunnfríður Jónsdóttir. Ongoing until Permanent exhibition: The ork of November 15. sculptor Einar Jónsson..

Art | Venue finder 551 1166 - www.bogf.is 101 Gallery Gallery Ágúst Tue–Sun 11–17 Hverfisgata 18A | F6 Baldursgata 12 | F9 www.listasafn.is Thu–Sat 14–17 and by appoint- Wed–Sat 12–17 The National ment www.galleriagust.is Museum Suðurgata 41 | www.101hotel. Gallery Fold C9 Open daily 10–17 is/101hotel/101gallery/ Rauðarástígur 14-16 | J9 natmus.is/ Artótek Mon–Fri 10–18 / Sat 11–16 / Tryggvagata 15 | D5 Sun 14–16 The Nordic House Mon 10–21, Tue–Thu 10–19, Fri www.myndlist.is Sturlugata 5 | C11 Tue–Sun 12–17 11–19, Sat and Sun 13–17 Gallery Kling & Bang www.nordice.is/ www.sim.is/Index/Islenska/ Hverfisgata 42 | G7 Artotek Thurs–Sun from 14–18 The Numismatic Museum Don’t let the rough ASÍ Art Museum this.is/klingogbang/ Einholt 4 | K9 Open Mon–Fri 13:30–15:30. Freyugata 41 | G10 Gallery Turpentine Tue–Sun 13–17 Ingólfstræti 5 | F7 Reykjavík 871+/-2 Árbæjarsafn Tue–Fri 12–18 / Sat 11–16 Aðalstræti 17 | D6 exterior fool you! Kistuhylur 4 www.turpentine.is Open daily 10–17 The Culture House Gerðuberg Cultural Centre Reykjavík Art Gallery Hverfisgata 15 | F6 Gerðuberg 3-5 Skúlagata 28 | H6 Open daily 11–17 Mon–Thu 11–17 / Wed 11–21 / Tuesday through Sunday 14–18 www.thjodmenning.is Thu–Fri 11–17 / Sat–Sun 13–16 Reykjavík Art Museum Scheduled Busses Dwarf Gallery www.gerduberg.is Open daily 10–16 Grundarstígur 21 | H8 Hitt Húsið www.listasafnreykjavikur.is Linienbusse Opening Hours: Fri and Sat – Gallery Tukt Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculp- 18–20 Pósthússtræti 3-5 | E6 ture Museum Sigtún Linjebussar www.this.is/birta www.hitthusid.is Hafnarhús Tryggvagata 17 | The Einar Jónsson Museum i8 Gallery E5 Kjarvalsstaðir Eiriksgata | G9 Klapparstígur 33 | G7 Bus régulier Flókagata | Tue–Sun 14–17 Tue–Fri 11–17 / Sat 13–17 and K11 Áætlunarbílar www.skulptur.is by appointment. www.i8.is Reykjavík City Theatre Listabraut 3 Fótógrafí Living Art Museum Skólavörðustígur 4a | F7 Vatnsstígur 3 – G7 Reykjavík Maritime Museum www.fotografi.is Wed, Fri–Sun 13–17 / Thu Grandagarður 8 | C3 Gallery 100° 13–22. www.nylo.is Reykjavík Museum of Pho- Bæjarháls 1 Lost Horse Gallery tography www.or.is/Forsida/Gallery100/ Skólastræti 1 | F6 Tryggvagata 16 | D5 Open weekdays from Weekends from 13–19 and by Weekdays 12–19 / Sat–Sun 08:30–16:00 appointment on weekdays. 13–17 www.ljosmyndasafnreykjavi- Our busses are warm Gallery Auga fyrir Auga Hafnarborg kur.is Hverfisgata 35 | G7 Strandgötu 34, Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum Gallery StartArt Hafnarfjörður Laugarnestangi 70 Laugavegur 12B | G7 The National Gallery of on the inside! Tue–Sat 1–17 Iceland www.startart.is Fríkirkjuvegur 7 | E8 Gerðuberg Cultural Centre Hidden Treasure: Treasures In August 12 - October 17 Public Possession? Cartoon courses for teenagers Works from the three Icelandic state- ART Halldór Baldursson´s course will cover owned banks' collections, along with the basics of political cartooning: some works from the National Gallery. GALLERIES & MUSEUMS symbolism, exaggeration, sarcasm and The National Museum analysis, with a look at the history of Permanent exhibition: Taste the cartoons and their role in the present The Making of a Nation age. The event runs every Saturday Heritage and History in Iceland is and costs 5500ISK. intended to provide insight into the August 20 – October 18 history of the Icelandic nation from best of Headlines... the Settlement to the present day. Caricatures by Halldór Baldursson January 31 - November 30. 2007-2009. Encounters. Gerðuberg Cultural Centre Archaeological excavations at many Iceland ... Boginn Gallery locations around Iceland have been August 19 - November 8 funded by Kristnihátíðarsjóður (the Rising From the Summer Sea Millennium Fund). Finds from some of Steinunn Einarsdóttir exhibits oil, these excavations are on display in an watercolour and acrylic paintings exhibition suitable for the whole family. Gljúfrasteinn Laxness Museum The Numismatic Museum Gljúfrasteinn was the home and Permanent exhibition: workplace of Halldór Laxness (winner The Central Bank of Iceland and the Icelandic of the Nobel Prize for Literature in National Museum of Iceland jointly 1955) and his family for more than half operate a numismatic collection con- Gourmet Fiest a century. It has now been opened to sisting of Icelandic notes and coins. the public as a museum, unchanged Ráðhús Reykjavíkur Starts with a shot of the infamous from when Laxness lived there. Dulin Himintungl Icelandic spirit Brennívín Living Art Museum Kim Linnet exhibits her 360° panorama The museum is closed for restoration photos of Iceland. Smoked puffin with blueberry and will open on a new location in Reykjavík 871 +/- 2 “brennivín” sauce January 2010. Permanent exhibition: Mokka The Settlement Exhibition Icelandic sea-trout with peppers-salsa October 2 - October 22 Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús Lobster tails baked in garlic Hörður Lárusson September 3 - October 18 Hörður Lárusson exhibits his Pan-fried monkfish with lobster sauce Children of Nature vs. Antichrists. photographs. Consisting of twelve large paintings Grilled Icelandic lamb Samfaina National Gallery of Iceland of selected frames from films by Lars Ongoing through October 18 Minke Whale with cranberry-sauce Chocolate cake with berry compoté Outside Reykjavik | Venue finder and whipped cream Keflavík Stykkishólmur Egilsstaðir Suðsuðvestur Vatnasafnið / Library of Water Sláturhúsið www.sudsudvestur.is Hafnargata 22 Akureyri Seyðisfjörður 230 Reykjanesbær Akureyri Art Museum Skaftfell 421-2225 www.listasafn.akureyri.is www.skaftfell.is Kaupvangsstræti 12 Austurvegur 42 Hafnarfjörður 600 Akureyri 710 Seyðisfjörður Hafnarborg 461 2610 472-1632 www.hafnarborg.is Strandgata 34 Populus Tremula Hveragerði 220 Hafnarfjörður poptrem.blogspot.com/ LÁ Art 585-5790 Kaupvangsstræti 12 www.listasafnarnesinga.is Our kitchen is open 600 Akureyri Austurmörk 21 Borgarnes 210 Hveragerði The Icelandic Settlement Centre Kunstraum Wohnraum 483-1727 to 23:30 on weekdays www.landnam.is Ásabyggð 2 RESTAURANT- BAR Brákarbraut 13-15 600 Akureyri 310 Borgarnes and 01:00 on weekends Vesturgata 3B | 101 Reykjavík 437-1600 Mývatn Tel: 551 2344 | www.tapas.is Mývatnsstofa F D For your mind, body and soul

August 28 - October 20 ART Polar Extremes Lisa Blatt lived in Antarctica for two months and camped for more than GALLERIES one month. Polar Extremes, a result of this journey, portrays the fragility, – continued – beauty, and criticality of Antarctica. September 26 - January 17 2010 von Trier and Friðrik Thor Friðriksson, André Kertész - Ma France and a multi-media installation by Ari Exhibit of André Kertész’s photo- Alexander Ergis Magnússon. graphs of France. Ongoing until Janu- September 3 - October 18 ary 17 2010. D 13 Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir Skuld Bookstore The D project is a series of exhibitions Verðandi Gallery at Hafnarhus, drawing its name from September 18 - October 26 one of the museum’s galleries. For Þórir SF 77 the ongoing series, the Reykjavik Art Brynja Dögg Friðriksdóttir exhibits her Museum commissions new work by photography. promising artists who have not had Free trips for all to Viðey prior private exhibitions in Iceland's Island! major museums. September 17 - January 3 2010 Sundahöfn Harbour The Crated Rooms in Iceland October 9-11, 8pm A new installation by world-renowned artist Yoshitomo Nara in collaboration It’s time to spread the message of with Hideki Toyoshima. The room- make love not war! The Imagine Peace sized installation, which consists of Tower is a memorial to John Lennon shipping crates and billboards, places from his widow, Yoko Ono, and the by the sea Nara’s iconic images in a new and I’m Collecting Monsters In time has come to light the thing. On and a delicios lobster unexpected context. a clear night, this beacon of light can Reykjavík Art Museum Your Bed reach an altitude of 4.000 metres, at Fjörubordid in Stokkseyri Kjarvalsstaðir and it’s located on Viðey island near September 12 - November 8 Gallerí Tukt Reykjavík. Blink October 10-24 The exhibition explores the role of Iceland was selected for the visual illusion in Icelandic art from Berlin-based artist Frau Grau is project because of its geo-thermal the middle of the 1960s until today. coming to Iceland. Carmen Maria energy grid, which powers the light. Included are paintings and sculptures Traud will hold her first solo show at Now check this out: Yoko Ono is by the artists Eybor Guðmundsdóttir, Gallerí Tukt and she’s here to show off offering trips to Víðey during the Hreinn Friðfinnsson, Ólafur Elíasson, her childlike yet intelligent illustrations. first weekend of the lighting, free for JBK Ransu and others. The way artists Her drawings can be described as all! Just take the ferry at 8pm from Spör ehf. -Spör Ragnheiður ehf. Ágústsdóttir use colors, lights and shapes in a microcosmic studies of an ambivalent Skarfabakki pier at Sundahöfn harbour variety of media to create a feeling of world which spread a whole lot of from October 9-11 and embark on a disorientation is examined. Curated by Helgi Már Kristinsson happiness. Although simple, they guided tour of Viðey, where history, September 12 - November 8 have a tendency to captivate even the nature and art are combined. The Blinkworks toughest of critics. Find some hidden Peace Tower itself is lit every night Blinkworks is an educational, family- treasures that will seize your heart and from October 9, Lennon’s birthday, oriented workshop in the North Gal- pet your soul. LP through December 8, his dying date.LP lery in conjunction with the exhibition Blink. Guests are invited to try their hand at enjoyable projects related to op-art, optical illusion, and science. Reykjavík Maritime Museum Current Exhibitions: Living Museum by the Sea; Arterial for Country and City; From Poverty to Abundance; The Shark – Light and Life Energy; Hidden Craftsman. The Reykjavík Museum of Photog- raphy

No Man’s Land Lost Horse Gallery October 9-25 Arty Havarí Party No Man's Land is a term for land that feelings of loss and change. Ausurstræti 6 is not occupied often due to fear or Grapevine’s own Julia Staples uncertainty. It is land that is being shows a photography installation Saturday, October 10th, 2pm disputed by two countries. During war of abandoned buildings while Lana As if this new record shop and local it is a term used for the area of land Vogestad's video installation addresses indie music co-op project wasn’t badass between two enemy trenches that impermanence, a transitory point enough, they’ve gone ahead and added neither side wishes to openly move on where there is no beginning or end, a gallery to the fold! Gallery Havarí or take control of due to fear of being and unfamiliarity. Come to the opening features the work of a buttload of the attacked by the enemy in the process. of the exhibition on October 9th at 6pm city’s multi-talented creative types, such The theme of both artists' work for art, beer and ice cream provided as Sindri Már Sigfússon of Sin Fang addresses a place of unfamiliarity and by Ísbúð Vesturbæjar – or check out Bous and Seabear, Ísak Óli Sævarsson, transition using installation to create their Grapevine sponsored Airwaves Davíð Örn Halldórsson, Bjargey spaces which impose these feelings. off-venue, featuring more Vesturbær Ólafsdóttir and our very own funny folks, The artworks conjure up an emotional ice cream and sweet musical Lóa and Hugleikur. RL sense of No Man's Land, drawing on performances. RL Food & Drink | Venue finder

3 Frakkar D6/E6 Grái Kötturinn Jómfrúin Pisa Sushibarinn Baldursgata 14 | F9 Bæjarins Beztu Hverfisgata 16A | G7 Lækjargata 4 | E6 Lækjargötu 6b | E6 Laugavegur 2 | F7 Aktu Taktu Tryggvagata | E6 Grillhúsið Kaffi Hljómalind Pizza King Svarta Kaffi Skúlugata 15 | K8 Brons Tryggvagata 20 | E5/ Laugavegur 21 | G7 Hafnarstræti 18 | E6 Laugavegur 54 | H8 E6 Alibaba Pósthússtræti 9 | E6 Kaffitár Pizza Pronto Sægreifinn Veltusund 3b | E3 Café Cultura Habibi Bankastræti 8 | F6 Vallarstræti 4 | D6 Verbuð 8, Geirsgata Hafnarstræti 20 | D5 | D5 American Style Hverfisgata 18 | G6 Kaffivagninn Pizzaverksmiðjan Tryggvagata 26 | E5 Café Loki Hamborgarabúlla Grandagarður 10 Lækjargötu 8 | E6 Tapas Tómasar (“Bullan”) | D1 Vesturgata 3B | D5 Argentína Steak- Lokastígur 28 | G9 Prikið house Geirsgata 1 | D5 Kebabhúsið Bankastræti 12 | F6 Thorvaldsen Café Paris Austurstræti 8 | E6 Barónstígur | I8 Austurstræti 14 | E6 Hlölla Bátar Austurstræti 2 | E6 Ráðhúskaffi | D7 Ingólfstorg | D6 Austurlanda- Café Roma Kofi Tómasar Tjarnargata 11 Tíu Dropar hraðlestin Rauðarárstígur 8 | J9 Hornið Frænda Santa Maria Laugavegur 27 | G7 Hverfisgata 64A | H7 Hafnarstræti 15 | E6 Laugavegur 2 | F7 Domo Laugavegur 22A, | F7 Tívolí Á Næstu Grösum Þingholtsstræti 5 | F7 Hótel Holt Krua Thai Segafredo Laugavegur 3 | F7 Laugavegur 20B | G7 Einar Ben Bergstaðarstræti 37 Tryggvagata 14 | D5 Lækjatorg | E6 | F7 Vegamót B5 Veltusundi | E6 La Primavera Serrano Vegamótastígur 4 Bankastræti 5 | F6 Eldsmiðjan Humarshúsið Austurstræti 9 | E6 Hringbraut 12 | I3 | G7 Ammtmanstígur 1 | E7 Bakkus Bragagata 38A | G9 Lystin Við Tjörnina Tryggvagata 22 | D3 Fiskmarkaðurinn Hressó Laugavegur 73 | H7 Shalimar Templarasund 3 | E7 Austurstræti 20 | E6 Austurstræti 4 | E6 Basil & Lime Aðalstræti 12 | D6 Mokka Vitabar Klapparstíg 38 | G7 Geysir Bar/Bistro Icelandic Skólavörðustígur 3A Silfur Bergþórugata 21 | Babalú Aðalstræti 2 | D6 Fish & Chips | F7 Pósthússtræti 11 | E6 H9 Tryggvagata 8 | E5 Skólavörðustígur 22A Garðurinn Nonnabiti Sjávarkjallarinn | G8 Klappastigur 37 | G7 Indian Mango Hafnarstræti 9 | E6 Aðalstræti 2 | D6 Frakkastígur 12 | G6 Balthazar Glætan book café O Sushi Sólon Hafnarstræti 1-3 | Laugavegur 19 | F5 Lækjargata 2A | E6 Bankastræti 7a | F6 F D For your mind, body and soul

Bedroom Community Cookbook - Recommendations :

1 Una Sveinbjarnadóttir Tjöruhúsið, Ísafjörður The best fish restaurant I know, catch of the day is to be recommended. With Icelandic butter and other weapons, it is worth many many trips to the Westfjords, where they have the best fish and seafood in the world.

2 Ben Frost There is nothing to be recommended here because the man in the kitchen, Maggi, who incidentally is the father of Haukur of the band Reykjavík! (confused yet?...welcome to Iceland) is the best chef in Iceland. If he has made it, and it’s in front of you, you will eat it. And you will cry a little. Tjöruhúsið, Ísafjörður

3 Sturla Mio Þórisson Kitchen Sessions There is this Belgian girl in the kitchen; she makes the most delicious food - holy The Bedroom Community takes over your kitchen mouthwatering crumbs! Fresh stuff in every day and the menu changes all the time. Established by Valgeir Sigurðsson thinking”. There are the set menu meals, like kjötsúpa in 2006, with luminaries Ben Frost And who is the master of the & plokkfiskur but dude/dudette - I had and Nico Muhly, the Bedroom kitchen in the Bedroom Community? some mussels there the other day... They Community record label is currently “That is a constant battle,” Valgeir were soooooo gooooood! I Wish I were still busy preparing its cross Europe smiles. there eating those mussels... Which begs the ‘Whale Watching Tour.’ In addition The Whale Watching Tour 24.10- question: why am I sitting here? In front of a to the usual packing, practicing and 2.11; The Bedroom Community Cook computer screen, telling you about Boston - I organising, the ladies and gentlemen Book available on tour and in concert, should be there having my dinner... Going... of the Bedroom Community are also as sold by the members. Gone... bye. cooking up a storm—and writing a Hafnarstræti 15 book about it. Sample Recipe “We do recording at the Una Sveinbjarnardóttir 4 Valgeir Sigurðsson Greenhouse studio. It is a bit out there, Fennel Gratin from Cologne This is a great place to got to if you are there are no restaurants close by, and Germans sure know how to use the dining with a group of people with very different tastes and needs. The price ranges we all enjoy cooking, sitting around veggies in their repertoire. This dish is from cheap to medium expensive, nothing and having dinner,” Valgeir explains. a great example. I got it at a friend of extreme, and the quality is consistently great. “The kitchen sometimes becomes the a friend’s place in Cologne, during an From juicy sandwiches and burgers, to the creative centre. Everyone throws in Ensemble Modern session in the city, freshest fish and tenderest lamb. The service ideas; everyone has sometimes made playing the music of Luigi Nono. is also friendly, which is sadly not always the a contribution to what is for dinner.” case in Iceland. You will however need to The idea to record and collect 4 Fennel bulbs ignore the music, which is usually some awful these culinary jams in a tome is one 2 Carrots mtzmtzmtz.... But it's never managed to spoil the artists have played with for a while. Spinach (if so desired, no neccessity) the food or a good time there. “Maybe this is a start of our recipe Balsamic vinegar Laugavegur 55 collection, you know how each kitchen Parmigiano For full restaurant and food listings and venue has the handwritten notebook with Salt and pepper finder visit www.grapevine.is for detailed grandmother’s waffles with a secret Extra virgin olive oil information. ingredient that makes them special,” Valgeir tells me. The veggies are steamed for ca. 10 Almost ready to print, the book minutes, then cut in thick slices and includes recipes by the record label put in an olive-oily roasting pan. artists, engineers and musicians Pour over the balsamic vinegar, don’t as well as guest collaborators from use too much, 2 ½ tbsp is a good over the years. Accompanied by ausgangspunkt. Grated cheese goes comic illustrations by artist Sam on top, my friend Valerij likes to add Amidon, the label-mates also offer mozzarella to the parmigiano, that recommendations of their favourite would be the pianist´s variation – it is places to eat, drink and hang out all quite good actually. Salt and pepper to over the world. your taste, and place for 15 minutes in “Some of the recipes have an the oven. Icelandic theme to them, like the lamb, This is a great starter with ultra VEGETARIAN CUISINE the whale and the puffin, but the book dry white wine or prosecco, it goes covers the whole spectrum of eating well with an Italian Gavi or a dry Skólavörðustígur 8 b, tel. 552 2028 good food,” Valgeir says. “It has a Riesling. The Fennel Gratin is also Open from 11:30 am–21:00 pm bunch of influences, probably in a way good as a side dish to a juicy steak or www.graennkostur.is that is like the music,” he says, “there’s fatty fish. - sARI PELTONEN a common ground there somewhere but no specific style, no one way of

FYRIR AF MATSEÐLI 2MÁNUDAGA-FIMMTUDAGA 1

sushismiðjan RESTAURANT BAR & TAKE AWAY OPIÐ TIL 22:00 Tel +354 577 60 50 Tel +354ww 577w.sixt.is 60 50 www.sixt.is

The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16­ — 2009 13 Cast of Characters

Feature | Energy FL Group, now Stoðir, is an Icelandic investment company, placed under insolvency in September 2008 when its largest investment, Glitnir Bank, was partly nationalised. Other notable investments include the controversial Baugur Group and Geysir Green Energy. FL Group, along with former exec Hannes Smárason, has a complicated history of buying up worthless investments, like Sterling Airlines, and reselling them back and forth among friends to mysteriously turn a profit.

Geysir Green Energy is an investment company in the field of geothermal energy established by Icelandic investment company FL Group and Glitnir Bank. It bought the state’s share in Hitaveita Suðurnesja in 2007 when the Independence party put it up for sale. FL Group, Geysir’s owner, had made a hefty donation to the Independence party a few months earlier. Big names in the failed economy, Bjarni Ármansson, Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson and Hannes Smárason, headed up the company at one time, and it is now run by Asgeir Margeirsson.

Magma Energy is a new Canadian geothermal company with a Swedish shelf company allowing it to operate in Iceland. It owns 43% of Hs Orka hf. Ross Beaty is the CEO of Magma Energy. He has a long history in the mining industry in Canada and abroad and currently serves as Chairman of Pan American Silver Corp., a leading silver producer. He has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, having started more than fifty companies over the course of his career.

Halldór J. Kristjánsson is the former co-CEO of Landsbanki, which was taken over by the state in October 2008 and has left the country to deal with their failed Icesave account. In all the speculation surrounding the Magma Energy deal, it is rumoured that Halldór is somehow secretly involved behind the scenes, as he is known to have moved with his family to Canada for a job with an energy company.

Arctica Finance hf is the financial advisory firm that negotiated the deal with Magma Energy on behalf of Reykjavík Energy. All Arctica staff “have in recent years been successful and proud contributors to many of the largest transactions that have taken place in Iceland”… they are also all former financial gurus 6.999$ of Landsbanki. For example, Stefán Þór Bjarnason, Arctica’s CEO, was Head of Corporate Finance at Landsbanki until October 2008.

calculated using the mid rate for the USD/ISK another 65 years. “This poor deal becomes even Sweden was ideal for Magma’s EU P.O. box for The partial sale of HS Orka to Magma exchange rate as posted on the Central Bank of clearer when we compare it to other contracts the Canadian firm to avoid double taxation. Energy is, undoubtedly, a landmark in Iceland’s Iceland’s website at 11:00 2 (two) business days that Magma Energy has made,” explains Social As for Magma Energy’s operation in Iceland political economy, but that is not to say that it is prior to the Closing Date.” Democratic MP Ólína Þorvarðardóttir, referring being regulated in accordance with the EEA and destined to be a precedent. For the time being To put it in terms that have become alarmingly to Magma’s 10-year term in Nevada with the Icelandic law, Mr. Beaty doesn’t “know that it it appears to have opened a floodgate, as a familiar: Magma Energy will pay ISK 3.6 billion to possibility of extending for another ten. really matters. Magma is going to be following Chinese aluminium company has shown great Reykjavík Energy upfront, with a remaining ISK From a purely business perspective Mr. Beaty the best practices that I’ve followed all my career. interest in the possible acquisition of 32% of the 8.4 billion provided to Magma as a bullet loan argues that such a long-term is proof positive All kinds of things that are demonstrably at world Þeistareykir geothermal plant in Húsavík—their from Reykjavík Energy, with the sole collateral that Magma is invested in building as strong and standards. We’re not interested in raping and representatives have already met with Húsavík being a bond in HS Orka reissued to Reykjavík successful a company as possible. He says: “If pillaging, we’re interested in doing long-term officials to discuss the possible deal. The future Energy by Magma. Also, according to Magma’s you’re building a house and you want to have sustainable development and if you can do that of Iceland at this pivotal point in its history is financial statements “the bond is repayable in a really nice house and you have a leasehold in any industry you can do it in geothermal.” largely dependent on ongoing critical thought a single instalment in seven years and bears agreement that gives you ownership rights This raises concern about the ease with which by policy makers on the long-term well-being of interest at an effective rate of 1.52% per annum.” for your house—if you have a short leasehold foreign firms can incorporate themselves within Iceland’s resources. Magma will repay Reykjavík Energy in US agreement you’re going to build a really crummy the EEA and the purpose of laws prohibiting non- As Noam Chomsky warns: “Privatisation dollars using the Central Bank’s exchange rate house because you know that, after a while, EEA ownership if they are so easily manoeuvred does not mean you take a public institution and according to the strength of the króna at the time you’re not going to own anything. If you have a around. give it to some nice person. It means you take a of the deal being signed now, in 2009. decent term you’re going to build a nice house public institution and give it to an unaccountable Magma’s financial statements further state and it’s going to run well and be nice to live in.” Transparency, please tyranny.” the “purchase of the Company's interest in HS However some critics of the agreement have Throngs of unanswered questions and intense For the time being it is likely best that Iceland Orka will be financed by cash on hand and the their doubts about Magma Energy’s dedication circulation of rumours surround the Magma stops to evaluate its current situation. Many credit facility available to it, or from other sources to HS Orka and Iceland. “To my knowledge Energy deal. Halldór J. Kristjánsson and Finnur argued that the Magma Energy deal was passed of capital available to the Company” and that, as Magma has plans for maybe five to seven years Ingólfsson (there’s a name that should ring a too swiftly, that not enough time was given to of June 30, 2009, cash and equivalents totalled in Iceland and then they want to exit with good bell for those familiar with Icelandic corruption contemplate the possible consequences of the $4.5 million, working capital was $2.7 million profits,” projected Dagur B. Eggertsson. “So they and shady deals) are thought to be involved, foreign privatisation, that the public didn’t know and Magma’s undrawn credit was $20 million. will probably just sell their 130 year contract and some even suspect Ross Beaty of just being enough or just didn’t care. But contemplation is This would imply that Magma Energy is some for their own profit but not for the profit of the the face of a company being run by Icelandic imperative, the public needs to know and the $5 million short of paying even their initial down people.” banksters-cum-green energy enthusiasts, all of public must care. Now is not the time to grow payment to Reykjavík Energy, contradicting the which feed the fears of the general public that complacent. purchase agreement guaranteeing sufficient Who is Magma Energy Sweden AB? could be calmed through widespread corporate “It’s weird to see what they do and to feel liquid assets to complete the transaction and, Magma Energy Corp. and Magma Energy transparency. like you can’t really do anything,” bemoans Jón one would assume, making Magma a poor Sweden AB are, essentially, one and the same. Daði Rafnsson, author of the popular Bjarki. “After the protests this winter, people who candidate for a loan for the remaining ISK 8.4 The “Sweden AB” suffix was added when it Economic Disaster Area blog, while adamant were there feel like ‘what can we do? Nothing billion. came to light that Magma Energy Corp. was that transparency is the means by which Iceland seems to change no matter what.’ For a period “I’m very sceptical. It reminds me of what has not permitted to purchase shares in Icelandic can rebuild itself as a nation and avoid suspicion, of time people were doing stuff, trying to let their been going on in Iceland before and to see this natural resources because corporations outside said, “I think it’s going to be really hard. For voices be heard, but nothing changes and it all happen and stuff like them buying a company the EEA would not guarantee EEA regulation business here we’re always going to run into seems pointless. The thing is, there are so many with a bullet loan and just using shares in HS of resources. Thus a Swedish shelf company situations of knowing somebody on the other reasons to be against all this but people don’t Orka as collateral,” worries Jón Bjarki. “How the was established to skirt Icelandic laws. The side of the table, but too often the same people even know it is happening.” fuck do they do that? It stinks. The whole thing listed president of said Gothenburg-based shelf are on both sides of the table, that seems to be a stinks. I just don’t trust these people anymore. company is Lyle E. Braaten, a long-practicing reoccurring theme. It’s hard to not be connected I don’t think anything has changed here. John Vancouver based lawyer and secretary and in some way but people should know about it. Perkins came to Iceland and he said that what is general counsel of Magma Energy Corp. That will go a long way in educating people on going to happen is that we are going to start to Said Mr. Beaty of this: “It’s legal nonsense who to vote for, who to not vote for, who to trust.” sell our natural resources away, you won’t realise that comes out of particular Icelandic laws that what’s happening but that’s what happens after say the only companies that can be involved in Iceland’s privatised future crises like this in Iceland. This may be a small the Icelandic energy business are European In her frighteningly poignant tome Shock step but it’s a very scary step.” community companies. So Canadians, or Doctrine, Naomi Klein writes “When communities anywhere else in the world for that matter, can get hit by great shock large corporations and Wave the red flags only get involved by incorporating a subsidiary in other power blocks use the opportunity to push More possible cause for contention, the term of the EU.” a pointed policy where public property is given to Catharine Fulton usage rights Magma Energy is purchasing allows Due to an agreement between the Canadian private parties on a silver platter, for a disgraceful HÖRÐUR SVEINSSON for an initial 65 years with the option of renewal for and Swedish governments regarding taxation, price.” The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2009 14 Reykjavík The History of Icelandic Rock music | Part 12 Downtown Hostel Stuð in the Seventies Professional, friendly In the stuð-department, Brimkló and passionate. (‘Surfclaw’) with singer Björgvin “Bo Hall” Halldórsson in the front made big We’ll be here, to arrange the waves in the mid-seventies. The band most exciting excursions at had originally been formed in 1972 but lay dormant until Björgvin revived the band in the best price, and offer you 1976 for its first LP. Originally influenced local advice on how to get by country rock acts like Poco, Eagles the most from your stay in and The Byrds, Brimkló would lighten-up and play fun pop songs, often sporting this wonderful city. amusing lyrics by Þorsteinn Eggertsson. Their first LP, Rock ‘n’ Roll, öll mín bestu ár (‘Rock ‘n’ Roll, all my best years’), was By the mid-seventies, indolent hippies are rough for the people.” Haukar did not a huge hit, and the band went on the road were passé and nobody was really sing- put much effort into being good musi- with comedy half-brothers Halli & Laddi ing about love and peace anymore. Heavy cians. The best chance to see the band as sidekicks. Brimkló was to make a new drinking and wild hedonism were the or- play well was on Mondays according to LP yearly for the rest of the decade, and der of the day, and this showed in pop lyr- Helgi, “as we have hangovers then.” each one included a new mega hit for tiny ics. The word “stuð”, which means some- Helgi quit in 1973 and lanky bassplay- Iceland. thing like ‘fun,’ ‘rush’ and can also mean er Gulli Melsted took over as the Haukar The roadie-profession got popular in ‘mood,’ and ‘electric shock’ kept coming leader. In 1975, their first record came the seventies. Some of the roadies, like up. The nightlife war cry became ‘Eru ekki allir í stuði?’—‘Are you all in the mood to have fun?!’ Lyricists also drew much from the fact that ‘ball’ rhymes with both ‘sk- rall’ (‘ratchet’) and ‘rall’ (‘debauchery’). The toughest of the stuð-groups was Haukar, ‘The Hawks.’ “If we are having fun, the people will have fun,” was their motto. When the band went on the road in Iceland, one Brennivín-bottle was ad- ministered to each member in the tour bus. The origins of the band can be traced back to Húsavík in the early sixties, and around eighty people would play with the band until it frizzled out in the late sev- out, a 7” with Elvis’ Return to Sender Stebbi “The Red” and Albert Icefield, enties. By 1970, Haukar had relocated to amusingly translated (by maestro Þor- even overshadowed the rock stars with Reykjavík, where the band got hip playing steinn Eggertsson) and sung in Icelandic their wild lifestyles and womanizing an- old rock standards at the clubs. The band as ‘Three tons of sand.’ The first LP came Reykjavík Downtown Hostel tics. They reached star status, culminat- stood out as all other bands were grow- in 1976 and has one song by Jóhann G. Your dream location in downtown Reykjavík ing as Albert got interviewed by Samúel, ing their hair long and acting all “deep.” Jóhannsson that has lived on as an Ice- a seventies men’s magazine. There he Vesturgata 17 ❚ 101 Reykjavík ❚ Tel. +354 553 8120 Haukar behaved in a saucy manner on landic standard, ‘Fiskinn minn’, with the told in details which bands used drugs [email protected] stage, saying stuff like: “Now fuck off to chorus ‘My Fish, yummy yummy yumm.’ or booze. Brimkló answered with the your tables and drink your booze.” The year after, the second album came songs ‘If the Roadies blab’ and ‘I read it in “We are saucy to make people free,” out, but by then Haukar had strayed from Samúel.’ Björgvin’s was Iceland’s pop king in the late seventies. Along with Brimkló, he did solo albums and sang with Halli & Laddi in a group called HLH flokkurinn (‘The HLH group’). HLH did the early rock routine, dressed accordingly in leather jackets, singing Icelandicized early rock songs along with some originals. Their first LP, Í góðu lagi (‘In cool order’), came out in 1979 and I got it as a confirmation gift. I remember I didn’t like it so much, at least not openly. A new wave was loom- ing—big changes were about to be made in the Icelandic music scene—and I was said Helgi Steingrímsson in an interview the stuð path towards deeper territories. ready. in 1972. “90% of Icelanders are bour- Naturally, the album sold poorly. Brimkló’s last LP—before later come- geois and they will not feel comfortable Another popular stuð-band was backs—came in 1981, when the Icelandic at the dance until they have boozed up. If Deildarbungubræður (‘Deildarbunga pop landscape had changed consider- we can make people forget about them- brothers’), a stuð-band derived from the ably with the surface of rock star Bubbi selves for a while by being more rude progressive and serious combo Eik. In Morthens. One of the first songs he made than themselves, they will feel good. We the seventies Eik (‘Oak’) made two prog popular included the infamous line: “I’m a albums, but as Deildarbungubræður the certified invalid, listen to HLH and Brim- 1. Haukar – Jolly Good! members played cover-songs at dances kló.” - Dr. Gunni 2. Brimkló looking all swanky and did two albums with cover songs - Bo Hall sitting down and originals. The Icelandicized version By Dr. Gunni, based on his 2000 book Eru ekki 3. HLH-flokkurinn - American of Swedish pop star Harpo’s track ‘Maria’ allir í stuði? (Rock in Iceland). A revised update Graffiti in seventies’ Reykjavík was the band’s biggest hit. of the book is forthcoming in 2010.

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BC Þóra Björk THE BLUE Sinecure (2009) I Am a Tree Now (2009) LAGOON BUS bc7000 thorabjorktree Mode-ish, then modish A few too many dú-dú-dú's Please book in Advance Norwegian electronica Price: 5.000 ISK I Am a Tree Now, the debut album Includes Blue Lagoon A not-so-wise man once said football of singer Þóra Björk, makes a rather Admission was ‘a game of two halves’. This album valiant attempt to uphold the 'alt' end is without a doubt an LP of two halves. of the 'alt.pop' niche, but unfortunately Whilst the intro to the first track, falls somewhat short of the mark it is Spin Again, could explode either into obviously attempting to reach. tech-death metal madness or set off This obviousness is part of the bombs of dark house depth, it wibbles problem. It is apparent that musically around a little before settling down I Am a Tree Now is trying to be into several tracks of Depeche Mode- something, while if it had been left ish neo-gothiness, all low-down and to organically take shape, it could deadpan and oh-so-serious about have come out much more natural itself. It’s not bad as such but god, sounding—less put on. The lyrics guys, go get an ice-cream eh? are basically just going through the Luckily, by the time Martinique motions of the tested love/boys/ Pyknic sidles in, half time has been uncertainty formula, and she relies on and gone, and things from here on in a lot of repetition and a whole lot of are lot more experimental on the ar- dúdúdú-ing to bulk out the songs. rangement and far more interesting: The sound of the music is light that track itself actually having a lot of and uncomplicated, and although she Serge Gainsbourg about it. Cinderbox sings tunefully, she doesn't seem to closes it off with a glitchy, vibey, spacey put her heart and soul into it. This is soundscape and salvages a score draw. unfortunate, as a bit of emotion could - Joe Shooman do to drag the album out of mediocrity. - Bergrún Anna Hallsteinsdóttir

The lyrics are catchy and well-designed for radio play. There are probably a Call: +354 511 2600 • Mail: [email protected] • www.bustravel.is few hits in there, even. Unfortunately, the album is let down somewhat by the pseudo-feminism of the title track, which goes for meaningful social commentary but hits cheesy, out-dated girl power instead. If she wanted to make a feminist statement about the role of women in modern society she missed her mark, rather sounding like Amy Winehouse if she was a Spice Girl. María - Bergrún Anna Hallsteinsdóttir Not Your Housewife (2009) mariamagnusdottir “If she wanted to make Listen, if you're feeling...smooth. a feminist statement Don't, if you want to think. about the role of women Singer María Magnúsdóttir’s début is gutsy. A flowing blend of funk, soul, in modern society she jazz and pop, the album has a sexy sound to it, a kind of long glances over missed her mark, rather a candle-lit dinner sort of ambiance, which is easy to listen to. She has a sounding like Amy great voice, full of feeling that she uses Winehouse if she was a to good effect throughout the album, frequently busting out dive-like moans Spice Girl.” that seem to come straight from her heart.

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Travel | The Golden Circle Battle of the Golden Circle Or, ‘How I Tried to Keep Up with Linda, the Most Knowledgeable Guide in Iceland’ and wait. It’s raining hard and after a few minutes of staring into the lifeless hole everyone feels stupid. A few more minutes go by and com- plaints bubble up—a child to my left pulls at his mother’s sleeve. There’s a puddle in my shoe. A chubby Brit in a red sweater announces, “I’m gettin’ wet,” but no one pays him any mind. Everybody is getting wet. With a hiccup the geyser erupts, launching a foul-smelling column of water into the sky. The crowd gasps, scrambles for their cameras and snaps away. Seconds later everyone is run- ning toward the bus, dripping wet.

The Death Blow On the ride back to Reykjavík, Linda One PM and it’s a sea of silver heads Dane squints over the abyss. “It’s fas- delivers Icelandic odds and ends she on the Gullfoss and Geyser Express cinating being here at the edge of two hasn’t had time to address: bore-hole Tour as international pensioners claim continents,” he says. He takes one look drilling, unexpected hot springs, seats. I’m contemplating the mysteries around and hustles towards the dry- earthquake safety, and the wonders of of old people when Linda, our tour ness of the tourist centre. Icelandic horses—including a detailed guide, comes on the loudspeaker, in- Back on the bus, Linda, that titan résumé of each of their 5 gaits. My eyes troduces herself, and sprinkles us with of information, is pepper-spraying us settle on the fog outside. Icelandic trivia: 115,000 people live in with more facts about fauna (mink and I jerk myself awake: we’re down- Reykjavík, 11% of Iceland is covered reindeer) and flora (poplars and native town and Linda isn’t on the micro- in ice…etc. Before long, Linda’s on a berries). My hand is sore and I have to phone anymore. I panic and grab my roll: from trade winds to medieval his- switch pens, but I’m keeping up. notebook, flipping to find the pages of tory, Linda is slowly but surely blowing facts I’ve transcribed, to claim success. the bus away with an encyclopaedic A Hell of a Foss This is what I find: a mysterious set of knowledge of the island. Gullfoss is the most remarkable stop percentages; a list of years I can’t make I can tell Linda is just getting start- of the tour: a mammoth glacial river sense of; the word ‘energy’ framed by ed. The closer we get our first stop, the smashes and tumbles down two cas- cartoon steam. more excited she becomes, reciting cades and shoots a wall of mist into It’s an illegible heap of shit. There’s endless dates, names and locations. the sky. Gullfoss also makes a great even a stray pen mark across the page I know a challenge when I see one: back drop for your ‘I went to Iceland’ I must’ve made as I fell asleep. If Linda thinks she can drown me in picture. The sheer number of cameras I exit the bus a failure. Linda looks facts she has another thing coming. present quickly leads to a multimedia me straight in the eye and asks me if I I vow to record every ounce of info showdown. It’s obviously time to go enjoyed the tour, her voice as chipper Linda can deliver. when I see a boy taking a picture of a as ever. woman taking a video of a man. I’m “I did” I mumble. A Great Divide slightly upset—Linda is nowhere in “Great,” she smiles, victory in her eyes. When the bus pulls up to Þingvellir sight and I start going through infor- the weather outside is miserable and mation withdrawal. very Icelandic. Standing on the North American viewing platform, we can’t “I’m Gettin’ Wet” quite see the European side of the val- Next stop is the Geysir and the weather ley. “Do you see the dark vertical lines turns from bad to worse. We beeline there?” Linda asks, pointing deep into towards the largest Geysir, circle it like Michael Zelenko the fog. We don’t. A tall, red-nosed a pack of wolves, ready our cameras Michael Zelenko

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Shopping | Fashion

place far from all of my comfort zones refused to abate,” she says. What is it you want to do? And are you interested in fitting into whatever it is that's going on in Iceland now? Meg: “I want to use my abilities as a writer and an illustrator to tell people Viking hotel stories. The purpose of my stories, Viking restaurants both visual and literary, is to shift per- spective, build empathy, and provoke Viking live entertainment thought. While many of my current Viking Souveniers projects have an Icelandic audience in mind, I am really trying to reach any- one anywhere with an ability to under- stand narrative. It is a universal lan- guage after all. That said, I do think that post-kreppa Iceland provides the ideal creative conditions for me. Like a hyperactive toddler who’s broken all his expensive toys in a fit of orgiastic Load Up On Guns, play, Iceland is now looking around and working out what can be done Bring Your Friends with the cardboard box it all came in. Imagination is the new currency here. For booking and further information: Meg and Sruli welcome you And that holds a huge appeal for me. Tel.: (+354) 565-1213 Sruli: “I make things… products. [email protected] - www.vikingvillage.is to The Armoury I don’t think you would find a cre- Strandgata 55 Hafnarfjordur ative who says that what they do is not Designer Sruli Recht and writer/il- offered here,” the couple tells me over linked to their environment. In saying lustrator Megan Herbert recently coffee and muffins when asked about that, I don’t make things to conform… opened a cool new store, Vopnabúrið the store’s name. My eyes keep wan- or to arouse debate. I make things I (‘The Armoury’) down by the Reykja- dering off to the sides; there is a lot of need and that other people need. In vík harbour. There, they spend their nifty looking stuff around. I ask them terms of Iceland, it fits into what is days working on their respective cre- what brought them to Iceland [Sruli is happening here because for the first ations amidst selling Sruli’s “arsenal Israel-born and Megan is a native of time the Icelandic consumer is land- of non-products and the illustrated Australia] and how being here fits into locked – too financially restricted to topo-graphic narratives of Megan Her- the context of what they want to do. travel casually abroad and unable to bert,” as their website states. Which, Says Sruli: “Right now, in terms of afford to buy things once there. Licensing and after paying the Armoury a visit, we business, surprisingly the answer is So now the focus is turned inward discovered amounts to an ambitious probably that it makes sense. Despite and the situation for Icelandic busi- registration of travel- line of clothing, shoes, and fashion ac- the current economic situation, this ness, from design to fresh produce, cessories, as well as hand-printed gift- is a relatively central country with a has improved. The consumer market wrapping paper, artworks and decora- high standard of living. And cultural is only able to shop here now, giving related services tive objects. morality is uniquely polarised – heri- the Icelandic design community, from The store itself is a beautiful, tage and family values are high on students through to established pro- The Icelandic Tourist Board issues licences to tour operators and travel agents, unique affair that highlights the cou- the chain, yet against a contemporary ducers and designers, a strong sense as well as issuing registration to booking services and information centres. ple’s apparent love for mangling, re- global backdrop, there are some star- of optimism.” contextualizing and generally trans- tling examples of flexible morality So despite the sombre economic Tour operators and travel agents are required to use a special logo approved forming story-laden objects to their here, which allow producers to push landscape and the implied menace of by the Icelandic Tourist Board on all their advertisements and on their Internet website. own, utilitarian end. The effect is that boundaries.” the name, the future at Vopnabúrið of a sci-fi flick set in a post-apocalyp- Megan was living in London and looks golden indeed. Booking services and information centres are entitled to use a Tourist tic future, furnished with materials on the verge of moving back to Austra- Board logo on all their material. The logos below are recognised by the hoarded from the nuclear rubble. It’s lia to resume her career as a television Icelandic Tourist Board. all very cool looking. scriptwriter when Sruli invited her to “It is semantic play – an armoury is a make a life with him in the wild north. place wherein one stocks up on sup- “Maybe it’s the risk-taker in me, or the List of licenced Tour Operators and Travel plies. And it’s a reference to the dark romantic, but I found that the utterly Haukur S Magnússon Agencies on: subtext that seems to be in the work irrational impulse to set up camp in a JULIA STAPLES visiticeland.com

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www.airiceland.is VESTMANNAEYJAR [email protected] / tel. +354 570 3030 ContactContact AirAir IcelandIceland oror travel agentagent for for reservation. reservation The Reykjavík Grapevine Buy the reviewed comix - and many Issue 16 — 2009 more - at Nexus, Hverfisgata. 18 Yeah!

Article | Souvenirs Tacky, Awesome Crap The best and the worst in Icelandic souvenirs

Souvenirs are an essential part of any good (or bad) travelling experience. From the smallest token taken from nature (like that pebble in your pocket—or are you just happy to see me?) to extravagant spontaneous purchases, they seem to be absolutely indispensable to a holiday. At least that’s what the merchandisers would have us think. Iceland definitely doesn’t lack for its share of gift shops, with all the usual sus- pects found within them, but some items offer a bit more punch while others are Facepainting Kit the ice and club the shit out of it? And downright baffling. Here are a few items Who doesn’t love painting a flag on their that wolf (5.980 ISK)! Who does he think that will tickle you pink or blow your face? I could do it every day. With so many he is? What is he gonna do, howl at the mind with inanity. You be the judge. countries with red, white and blue as of- moon or something? Fucking unbearably ficial colours, you can totally switch it cute, fake animals. Any rage therapist up depending on what team is playing. would recommend spending the money (Unless Russia is playing France. Then to regain control of your life. Don’t let the you’re fucked, sorry.) For 935 ISK, even I cuteness take control. Laugavegur 23 couldn’t resist purchasing it and Icelandi- Tel: 5526970 cizing my face.

Geysir Mug This delightfully phallic drinking re- ceptacle is perfect for the most gutter- minded traveller or lover of impractical Best T-shirt: cup handles. I could barely fit three of Whale of a Time in Iceland my little girl fingers through the handle, Rock Cubes The person who designed this for chil- making it fairly difficult to hold when Ice cubes are wonderful in water, but who dren clearly didn’t realise they were de- empty. Just imagine when full. Or with wants their turpentine cocktail diluted signing a shirt for Death Cab For Cutie fully-grown hands! For 1.590 ISK though, with pesky water? Not me! Lucky for all circa 2005 fans. This shirt says two it might be worth it, just to leave it on your us chick-drink drunks, there are Rocks words: Seth Cohen. Also available in blue kitchen shelf and disturb your guests. On Ice. Nine solid cubes made of pure and yellow, for the ultimate emo nerd. Icelandic Gabbro rock that chill to the 1.890 ISK. perfect temperature after 2-3 hours in the freezer. They are also an ecological alter- native to the water waste that goes into the refilling of an ice tray. For 3,490 ISK, 100% this is a worthwhile investment to anyone Merino JANUS with a home bar. wool woo is made len un Merin from derwear o the wool fines and which t comfortable.is soft It keeps an your Can of Fresh Mountain Air d warm body Worst T-shirt: an dry Oh, a can of air for 990 ISK? Why, of d does ég tala ekki íslensku not itch. course I need that! That’s a great deal on air. Usually the air I breathe costs noth- Why would you be so proud of this? If you ing. Clearly I’m getting ripped off. Wait are just here for a weekend, it’s totally un- a minute… Seriously though. This pop- necessary, and if you’re here for a while, top can claims to contain 240ml of fresh you’re a jerk for not trying. You might as mountain air, so presumably you would well just buy a shirt with all the languages peel back the lid and get a nice burst of Angry Love Stuffed Toys you don’t speak, or a shirt saying you’re mountain freshness. Maybe it’s a gag and Goddamnit, I wanna punch these in the mute. 2.800 ISK. there’s actually a fart inside. Actually, that face. Look at that fucking seal cub (2.890 Rebecca Louder would be worth 990 ISK. ISK). Don’t you just want to take it out on Rebecca Louder

Comix | Review Dungeon (The Series)

timeline of the series as a whole is a bit Created by Lewis Trondheim complicated at first. Dungeon is divided & Joann Sfar into 3 main series: Early Years, Zenith and Twilight and in-between are sub- Art by Kerascoet et al. series and all sorts of nonsense. The French humour has sometimes been series tell the story of the creation, glory described as “not funny” or “weird”. days and eventually the demise of the Lewis Trondheim is both French and Dungeon world. It seems difficult to sort funny. He’s so prolific as a cartoonist everything out, but the books are so well that it’s tempting to think he runs a written and illustrated that eventually sweatshop with tubby little illustrators you won’t care about timelines—unless that are fed with croissants and coffee you are anal-retentive—which won’t be and can only go to the bathroom twice a a problem either because information day. Instead of doing that, he has ganged about the timelines is plentiful. up with fine artists and writers such There is nothing less disappointing as Joann Sfar and Kerascoet. Together than Dungeon, except maybe other they are like a team of ninjas with books by Lewis Trondheim. pens. Trondheim and friends have even threatened to do at least 300 Dungeon books. The Dungeon series master the fine art of being dark and silly at the same time. The world of Dungeon is full of dragons and birds, sorcery and weapons. It’s a parody of the fantasy worlds similar to Dungeons and Dragons, without being too nerdy or inaccessible to those who are unfamiliar with D&D. The Hugleikur Dagsson Need to renovate?

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Borgartúni 21, 105 Reykjavík Tel : 569 6900 / 800 6969 The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2009 20

Art | Sequences Real-time Art Festival Sequences Events

We at the Grapevine are no strangers Spartacus Chetwynd to the dilemmas and panic that surface Although we do not know exactly what when you see the packed schedule for she is going to dazzle us with at the such a grand festival as Sequences opening party, we can sure expect it to – both rich and chaotic. Thus we be spectacular. Spartacus Chetwynd present: a bunch of interesting things has become known for her baroque we noticed in the programme. and surreal performances, charged with humorous image quotations The Dumb Region of the Heart from art history and melded with pop A 15-minute video loop will be played culture references. So grab a beer and on two separate screens in the back catch some craziness. seat of a car. Audiences will be WHO Spartacus Chetwynd is a British picked up, two at a time, and driven artist who creates both paintings and around while they watch the videos large-scale collaborative performances on the screens and listen to it through that explore notions of the grotesque, headphones. The video is a poetic using humour and references to abundance of sounds, words and various cultural icons images. It’s an ambiguous voyage to WHEN OCT 30, House of Ideas, 8 PM the ever-equivocal crossroads. It’s about going and it’s about returning, Seminar at the Nordic House Art In Sequence, Real-time! or not. PLUS an Amazing Dinner Party WHO Páll Haukur Björnsson: a rising All through this year’s Sequences, Controlled chaos, and a sense of focus star in the visual arts scene in Iceland. The Lost Horse Gallery will host an This will be his first performance after exhibition, Made up and let down, The Sequences arts festival has been board that would select the projects or Viggósdóttir, Melkorka Huldudóttir or returning from the Venice Biennale, with Sofia Dahlgren (SWE), Line pretty awesome these past few years. It artists that would participate. Prinz Gholam. We are also very excited where he’s modelled for Ragnar Ellegaard (DK), Pernille Leggat Ramfelt is a unique offspring of the big happy Kristín: This we felt was important in about the work of Spartacus Chetwynd, Kjartansson for the last six months. (NO), Malin Ståhl (SWE) and Anita Icelandic arts family, and it takes place order to give Sequences a sense of focus, who has been called the queen of lo-fi WHEN OCT 30, House of Ideas, 8PM Weström (SWE). The piece itself is an every October. At Sequences, artists and to strengthen its identity. art performances, and Soren Dahlgaard, intervention of Nordic artists habited from Iceland and all over the world who will close the festival. The Mind in London, and is depicted here in The Mind is about... well, the mind. Reykjavik, where it might find similar gather to cook up some really incredible This year you’re changing the It’s also interesting that Sequences The mind doesn’t have a shape, and culture gatherings, so it should be stuff. Rumours had that this year’s infrastructure of the festival, basing will offer a series of lectures and artist we don’t really know if it is inside us program would differ somewhat from its it exclusively on live shows. What talks that will run alongside the festival interesting. previous incarnations, so us Grapeviners gives? Did you respond to lack of for the first time. Speakers include some or if it is a part of the outer universe. The artists are throwing a seminar, caught up with festival manager Klara funding by making it more guerilla- of the participating artists and other Conscience is also a complicated “Made up and let down: Nordic art Þórhallsdóttir and art director Kristín ish? invited speakers from the fields of visual phenomenon, and we work with that in an international context,” where Dagmar Jóhannesdóttir to get the word Kristín: Most of the projects this year are arts, stage arts and theory. as well. It is not about a relationship they’ll aim to analyze the exhibition in on what to expect. run on a low budget, but that didn’t really between two persons. It is more the a creative way, testing new systems determine our choices. From the visual What does Sequences future look relationship of a person with her/ for critical discourse and ways to What’s Sequences all about? arts perspective, performance might like? How do you see it in five years? himself and with society in general. advance as a critical forum. The Klara: Sequences started in 2006 and stand as the obvious choice of real time Is there something you want to WHO Egill Sæbjörnsson is one of best thing is that there is no entry was founded by four artist-run galleries: art and therefore we decided to really establish in the long run? Iceland’s many multi-talented artists fee AND it includes a celebratory The Living Art Museum, Kling og focus on the performative nature of art Klara: Sequences has been growing whose work is an unusual fusion of dinner afterwards at the famed DILL Bang Gallery, Gallery Dwarf, Gallery for this year’s festival. Next time it might every year, and now we have gathered music, sound, video and installations. restaurant at the Nordic House. Yup, Bananananas, as well as the Center for become something totally different. a great deal of experience in how to In addition to this, he often appears there you have it! Icelandic Art—CIA. Since then, it has Mainly, our concept has grown from run such a festival. And it is getting in person as part of his exhibition WHEN NOV 3, Nordic House, 12AM been held annually in Reykjavík. It has the work of the festival’s honorary artist, recognised for its cultural value that projects. evolved to an independent organisation, Magnús Pálsson. Throughout his career, in the end will hopefully serve our art WHEN NOV 5, Hafnarhús, 8 PM and is still the only festival in Iceland to Magnús moved freely between genres society. I am very optimistic that in five focus solely on visual arts. ‘Sequences in his art practice. He studied theatre years this festival will be a fundamental real time art festival,’ is the full name, design and visual art in the early 1950s part of the cultural field, and one of the and it focuses on time-based media, and later worked in both fields. We were stronger parts of Sequences is how its such as performances and live art, sonic- therefore interested in finding some sort concept has changed along with the and video art, as well as creating a cross- of rendezvous between stage arts and the organisers each year. It gives the festival platform for these and other art genres. visual arts. space to tackle issues that come up each Each year there have been new time, and to reconsider the diversity in organisers for the festival. So each time What are, in your opinion, the most visual art. the festival has been quite different interesting performances we’ll be Beside all that, it really is priceless how and revolved around specific concepts, witnessing this year? the festival becomes a documentation though the main emphasis remains the Kristín: The whole Sequences week will on art today. It will gain great historical same. be full of exciting events and it is hard to value in later years, as every event that pick favourites. The opening night will has taken place during the festival has How has the festival developed? include Magnús Pálsson´s performance been documented and kept. We hope Klara: For the first year, everyone who and a live event by video artist Sigurður Sequences will in the long run establish wanted to was able to participate. It got Guðjónsson outside of the House of itself as a serious platform for visual arts very popular among young artists to Ideas (the festival’s headquarters), with in an international context. finally have some kind of a platform a performance-party taking place inside where they could make an effort and later on. Then we are also offering more introduce their work and ideas. Since theatre-based work, such as Oblivia then, it has developed and last year the and Ingibjörg Magnadóttir, or dance Sigurður Kjartan Kristinsson main board decided to form a curatorial collaboration such as the work of Björk JULIA STAPLES

ICELAND :: FILM – Berlin – Copenhagen – Reykjavík MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS – EDDAS AND SAGAS A LOOK INTO NATURE Icelandic Filmmaking 1904-2008 The Ancient Vellums on Display The Story of the Icelandic Museum of Natural History

EXHIBITIONS - GUIDED TOURS The Culture House – Þjóðmenningarhúsið Open daily between 11 am and 5 pm CAFETERIA - CULTURE SHOP National Centre for Cultural Heritage Free guided tour of THE MEDIEVAL MANU- Hverfi sgata 15 · 101 Reykjavík (City Centre) SCRIPTS exhibition Mon and Fri at 3:30 pm. Tel: 545 1400 · www.thjodmenning.is HVÍTA HÚSIÐ / SÍA – 09–0223

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AD 254x195 WU BRAND landsbanking (ICE) .indd 1 1/06/09 17:47:34 The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2009 Next time: We attack downtown Reykjavik on late on a Friday night with all manner of pithy metaphysical questions only a drunk would be dare to answer. You won’t be able to miss me. I’ll be the guy wearing the 22 neon orange protective clothing, and a badge that reads, “Smile if you believe in elves, huldufólk or ghosts.”

Transcendental Iceland | Part 8: Fallacies, Paradoxes and Butterfly Logic Poetry | Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl Radio To The Other Side I’ll Have What In search of the Real McCoy He’s Having Words Marc Vincenz Are you tired of writing your what actually happens within this given own damn poems? Does it piece of language (or what didn’t hap- feel like you’d rather plunge pen, but, in some parallel universe, through the fiery gates of might have). Not to mention the irrever- hell rather than come up with one more ent joy that found poems tend to offer, metaphor/ simile/ aphorism to explain as well as their quirky insight into the ‘People fail to notice what they do when the human condition? There’s so much discourse and thought of a society. awake, just as they forget what they poetry in the world already! So much Found poems document the move- do while asleep.’ Heraclitus, Greek language! Why make more? ments of language, rather than imitat- Philosopher, 535 – 475 BCE Now, what if there was a way of mak- ing it—found poems leave language It was probably somewhere around ing a poem without actually having to exposed, rather than exposing it. But 500 BCE when the Greek philosopher resort to our supposedly original ideas? trying to follow the way language Heraclitus coined the term Logos: a What if we could simply appropriate moves is an arduous task. Words come fundamental concept intimating that somebody else’s words and call them and go, become fashionable and fade there is a source and order to the cosmos; of swirling atoms that look like a butterfly? circles within circles: The cycles of life, our own? Text-piracy, of sorts. Plagia- (particularly when enough people have which, in the turn of its own screw, Your own mind presents matter to you as of mind and dreams, always go back to rism. Theft. We’ve gotta fight for our realised that they indeed have become was interpreted to mean that things form so that you can interact with it—a where they begin. Just look at how things copyright to “party.” fashionable). But certain tendencies are are pretty much as they appear to be. A convenient illusion, a symbol of form, so manifest themselves, the geometry of A found poem is a piece of language obvious. hundred years after Heraclitus, Aristotle’s that, as Guðrún says, “We can manage the planets, galaxies, celestial motions.” It’s reframed. In some cases the pieces were These days, the language that most analytical logic was born, leading the puzzle called life.” all built up like a swirling elliptical fractal, already poems to begin with, collaged Icelanders find themselves submerged way for predicate or mathematical logic: But then hold on to this thought: Life whereby, no matter how deep you go together in a new context, as in Eliot’s in is legal and economic. Suffering a the basis for most current scientific is but a dream. into the structure of things, new similar The Wasteland or Pound’s Cantos; but financial blitzkrieg does not only bring reasoning, or so the story goes. Here we According to Guðrún, everything patterns emerge: a fractal of a fractal of a in other cases they are bits of overheard with it (rhyme-alert!) oceans of emotion are 2,509 years later and we’re still pretty consists of bundles of energy—molecules, fractal, and so on: mirrors within mirrors. conversation, the text from a commer- (throes of woes!), but new additions to much stabbing in the dark. atoms—organising, splitting apart, With no limits, what then of logic? The cial or a news story, reframed as po- the everyday vocabulary. Concepts like Scientific reason is, of course, fraught then reorganising into more and more rational mind? etry. Charles Reznikoff’s famous book, “debt-equity ratio” are now household with dichotomies, contradictions and complex patterns, which is the sublime The philosopher Gottlob Frege, one of Testimony, is just what it says: slightly terms, as familiar as milk and honey. misinterpretations. Often, what we nature of the mind of the Universe which, the founders of modern logical thought, altered texts from American court tran- “Restructuring” is more common than originally believe to be the lay of the land in turn, is manifested inside your own called logic: “the science of the most scripts. Kenny Goldsmith’s Day is one the cold, and “shadow price” is getting ends up manifesting itself as the most consciousness. general laws of truth.” Twelfth-century issue of the New York Times—word so worn as to verge on being unusable. farcical of theories. Some not-so ancient Guðrún claims she can see through Muslim scholar Averroes, called it: “the for word, retyped. The Norwegian poet We’ve contracted these words from civilisation suggested, using their early matter into its very primeval essence, and tool for distinguishing between true Paal Bjelke Andersen is working on reading the newspapers, blogs and lis- principles of logic, that the Earth was flat, into the past, present and future. As she and false.” Only, just on what basis of a book of sentences found in the New tening to pundits who regurgitate each and lay like a pounding heart beating at explains, “Time is also just a condition of truth have we been making our rational Year speeches of Nordic prime min- other’s language as if they were rumi- the centre of the Universe. For many the mind [a manner of organising things judgements? Truth, of course, relies on isters, including the Icelandic ones. nating cows. And you’d think, given hundreds of years, this seemed an entirely into neat digestible packets]. Break down the premise that falsehood also exists; if Icelandic artist Ragnhildur Jóhanns re- how much they’re thrown about, that plausible hypothesis. Today we see this as the notion of ego, and you will soon see everything then is a dream, how can there cently published a limited edition book, we understand them. Yet it seems, ac- one of many fallacies of logical reasoning. that time and matter only exist to give you be either? Does this throw logic right out Konur 30 og brasilískt (Women 30 and cording to a survey conducted by the But I ask you this: Who knows what hold on your own perceived reality. Past, the other side? Brazilian), consisting of sentences lift- Icelandic Institute for Financial Liter- other inconsistencies presently manifest present and future are essentially one and Through all of this talk with Guðrún, ed from an online forum about women acy, that we don’t. Only a third of Ice- themselves right under our very own the same thing.” I believe I may have made the most over thirty and Brazilian wax treat- land’s inhabitants, 18 years and older, noses? The Ice Age? Evolution? Relativity? “Understand that nothing is separate singular discovery. Among other things, ments. Doesn’t that sound fantastic? have any understanding of the mere ba- The Big Bang? Skimmed Milk? from your own thoughts. Free yourself Einstein’s great predicate logic proposed Delightful? The language around you sic economic concepts. And yet we keep Are we all just perched insect-like on a from the shackles of convention, those that there was nothing that existed that actually runs amok, constantly, all on on yapping as if everyone understands. gigantic paradox? self-imposed boundaries, become child- could be faster than the speed of light. its own it seems and needs merely to Restructuring opportunity costs ac- Guðrún Hjörleifsdóttir, visionary, like, more free. Then, master the mind, Now I know he was wrong. There is be picked up and repeated to forthwith cording to the debt-equity ratio of off- Seer of all things past, present and future, and you essentially have the potential to something faster: the speed of mind. metamorphose into wonderful poetry. shore shadow prices. maintains she can look straight through control everything in your life.” And not to disappoint those who Now, finding language in a world so And if reproducing language that walls. She says, “Life is a dream we are The concept is, of course, that tuned in last time to Transcendental Part full of it (pun intended) may not seem you don’t understand, to people who dreaming right now,” and, “all matter everything exists only because you think 7. You will recall that Gústi, the soul- like a great challenge for the average understand it even less, isn’t poetry, is just energy vibrating at different it into existence. In the words of French cleanser, was exorcising the spirit who creative mind. Quite the contrary, most then by golly, I don’t know what is. wavelengths.” Ergo, if you can somehow philosopher René Descartes: “I think, possessed his own living son. Well, as of us wouldn’t mind finding some- perceive the wavelength, you can see therefore I am.” a matter of course, Gústi called on the where, anywhere, a quiet place devoid straight through it. And we all know, you “A friend of mine, who has passed light-beings who come from the heart of of language. Some calm resort, a ha- can do virtually anything in dreams; so on,” she says, “came to me in my dreams God, and convinced the offending spirit ven, where we could be free from the essentially, no limits barred. to impart deeper insights, speed up my to depart this Earth and take the heavenly incessant chatter, free from screaming Guðrún says that most people can learning curve, so to speak. I came to light-elevator to the other side. It was a billboards, blazing televisions and the only see energy when it manifests itself, understand the significance of my third successful exorcism; and yes, a happy latest Top 40 list. when it ‘materialises.’ Doesn’t science eye—it’s located at the apex of a triangle ending. But, as strangely as that may sound, maintain that matter is not form unless so centred above the other two ‘standard’ But then, as you know, in dreams found poems tend to provide a certain perceived? Matter is just atoms vibrating eyes. It connects me to the universal anything can happen. relief from their own inanity, stupidity, anyway, right? Okay, then let’s stretch this mind, helps me to perceive these things. It was the ancient Chinese supposed depth or other imaginable at- thought even further, and imagine that He also enlightened me on how it is that philosopher, Kung-sun Lung, who lived tributes of the given source text. Like that thing you perceive to be in front of some of us hear ‘voices.’ You know, it’s three hundred years before the birth of a good piece of adbusting, a decent-to- you is only matter because you accept that just like tuning into the right frequency Christ, who wrote: “One and one cannot brilliant found poem both negates and the thing is what it appears to be (as you on the radio.” become two, since neither becomes two.” amplifies the original text creating a would without question, within a dream): I could have sworn she was going to Keep that in mind when the going gets flux of meaning and anti-meaning. a butterfly, a door, a house, a mountain. say that—the pattern proliferates. tough. An eye in the storm, if you will, where Is it a butterfly, then? Or is it millions one is given the possibility to observe Centerhotels_254x95_grapevine09.pdf And 7/1/09 then, she 11:51:11 says, “You AM know it’s

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to events and programmes of the Goethe–Institut in Iceland for October 2009 – culminating in November, when Germany celebrates 20 years after the fall of the wall in Berlin. Further information: www.goethe.de/island

10. October – 16. November 2009: Exhibition of German Comics in the Reykjavik City Library. Further information: www.borgarbokasafn.is

11. October 2009 13:00–16:00: German Comics in the Reykjavik City Library: Workshop with Line Hoven, comic artist from Hamburg. Further information: www.borgarbokasafn.is

14.–18. October 2009: Iceland Airwaves Music Festival Reykjavik. German bands: Wareika and Bodi Bill. Further information: www.icelandairwaves.com

30. October – 7. November 2009: Sequences: Real Time Art Festival. German artist: Prinz Gholam. Further information: www.sequences.is

Fire is needed by the newcomer Whose knees are frozen numb; Meat and clean linen a man needs Who has fared across the fells.*

The Icelandic Sheep, Keeping the people alive since 874 AD.

*From the Hávamál, 1300 AD ÁJS

I c e l a n d i c Sheep Farmers [email protected] / photo: Your essential guide to life, travel and entertainment in Iceland STUFFED WITH STUFF ISSUE 16 YOUR FREE COPY

Page 12: “That is ignorance and complete nonsense. It’s just because Ice- landers don’t know what we’re all about and they don’t under- stand the world that we live in.” Explore Iceland Magma Energy’s Ross Beaty has some interesting things to say.

Page 18: horse riding blue lagoon This delightfully phallic drink- ing receptacle is perfect for the most gutter-minded traveller or lover of impractical cup han- dles. I could barely fit three of my little girl fingers through the handle, making it fairly difficult to hold when empty. Just imag- ine when full. Rebecca Louder found y’all some crazy tourist crap! city sightseeing whale watching golden circle Page 6: “I’m not afraid of the buses” he responded with a smile. “If the city of Reykjavik doesn’t want [to buy] the buses, they will never be able to say that they want to go green again.” Gísli Gíslason wants to force Reykjavík to go green.

Page 10: Would you rock the boat, would car rentals you print nasty things about the ITA Tour desk at the owners? No, you would think Official Tourist Information twice. You’ve got a mortgage Centre in Reykjavik and kids in kindergarten. This Aðalstræti 2, 101 Reykjavík has simply always made life dif- Open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm ficult for Icelandic journalists. Professor Þorbjörn Broddason explains why Other locations: Icelandic media is the way it is Hilton Reykjavík Nordica Suðurlandsbraut 2, 108 Reykjavík Page 8: Open from 8 am to 8 pm Icelandair Hotel Loftleiðir It’s 4 degrees Celsius, the water glacier tours diving temperature is a nice 7.5. It’s a Hlíðarfótur, 101 Reykjavík Open from 8 am to 8 pm lovely day for a swim in the sea. Radisson SAS Hotel Saga Louise Petersson went for a cold, cold swim. Hagatorg, 107 Reykjavík Open from 8 am to 8 pm Page 10: Iða - Visitor Centre, 2nd floor You may not like the dress code, Lækjargata 2a, 101 Reykjavík their noises, you may not like all Open from 10 am to 10 pm the fun they seem to be having Cruise Liners Visitor Centre and you’re not sure you’d get Skarfabakki, 104 Reykjavík Open from 8 am to 8 pm laid as an anarchist or that the anarchists would like to lay you. Haukur Már Helgason brings you Catastro- Book your day tours and activities with us! phology.

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