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On Equal Footing
Upprásin provides fertile soil for Iceland’s musical grassroots Harpa is an imposing phenomenon – both literally and figuratively. The opulent glass figures encasing the hall is sure to fill performers and audiences alike with awe. The home to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and…
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Track By Track: Pure Rockets By Xiupill
Xiupill’s Pure Rockets explores suffering and transcendence Gabber-punks Xiupill released their debut LP Pure Rockets on July 14. A philosophical manifesto on suffering, transcendence and aesthetic sovereignty, Xiupill’s experimental hip-hop moves mountains on their latest album. Xiupill told us a thing or…
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Grapevine New Music Picks: Bubbi Morthens, Ásgeir, Elín Hall & More
We celebrate this Friday, like every Friday, with a brand new list of the best new Icelandic releases. We’ve also published a fresh new issue of the Reykjavík Grapevine floating around the streets of the capital. Our cover story this time around…
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Zhrine At the Altar
Reviving the Hellirinn Sanctuary Since 2014, the name Zhrine has resonated like an eerie echo – mostly because of the challenge in pronouncing the name of the band, formerly spelled Shrine and dubbed Gone Postal in its very early stages. With the…
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A Three-Man Orchestra
Goth post-punks Virgin Orchestra’s release show was a hit Having arrived fashionably late to the show, I was surprised to see that the band had actually started. After living in Reykjavík and attended my fair share of performances, this was a first.…
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Grapevine New Music: Hipsumhaps, Jelena Ciric, Benni Hemm Hemm & More
It was 15 years ago today, that the Icelandic economy officially crashed, much to the dismay of – well – everyone. A colloquial phrase pertaining to the 2008 economic crash is ‘Hrunið, þið munið’ (Remember the crash), although nobody really remembers and…
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66 Degrees Of Sound: Returning From Hiatus
We’re back from hiatus! After a few weeks of retooling and behind-the-scenes makeover montages, your pals Rex and Jói are back with a lemon-fresh new episode of 66 Degrees of Sound. 66 Degrees of Sound is your one-stop shop for brand-new…
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Abduction Phase Initiated
Epidermal Veil talks human carnage and Reykjavík Deathfest We are back with another Filthy Interview and believe me, this one is the filthiest. This time, I spoke with members of Epidermal Veil, who also organise the appropriately named Reykjavík Deathfest, happening September…
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Track By Track: Sounds Of Summer By Kjartan Holm & Sin Fang
Smells And Sounds Make Up Fischersund’s Sounds Of Summer A soundtrack to a night out is the concept behind Sindri Már Sigfússon and Kjartan Holm’s recent album Sounds of Summer. Produced in collaboration with perfumery Fischersund, who manufactured a scent in tangent…
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Dreaming The Apocalypse
MSEA’s Our Daily Apocalypse Walk is an otherworldly achievement Since moving from Toronto to Reykjavík in 2017, Maria-Carmela Raso has been a prominent figure in the city’s music scene. Under her artist moniker MSEA, she has lent her talents to chart-topping acts…
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Grapevine Music Picks: Árný Margrét, Supersport, Lúpína & More
Well, looks like we managed to get through the week. With most of the Grapevine staff checking out the Extreme Chill Festival, there are a few sore heads in the building. But good music needs to be elevated, analysed, discussed, and that’s…
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Under Laufey’s Spell
The world’s most popular jazz artist hasn’t finished her story For decades, Iceland has boasted about its remarkable creative output – per capita, of course. A common theme in the world’s perception of Iceland is the recognition of artistic talent coming from…
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Grapevine New Music: Mugison, MSEA, Kári Egilsson & More
We’re hitting the middle of the month with real mixed reviews: the whale-killing millionaire continues his rampage as protest mounts, queer and transphobic misinformation has been ripping through Icelandic social media, and inflation keeps on a-risin’. But did you see those auroras…
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The Changing Of The Guard
Extreme Chill Festival favours the up and comers Walking into Space Odyssey, a record shop slash clothing consignment store slash music label on Skólavörðustígur, you’re greeted by a warm interior and the cheerful presence of owner Pan Thorarensen. In simple lettering, a…
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Track By Track: Where The Light Enters By Sævar Jóhannsson
Composer Sævar Jóhannsson shares his thoughts on Where The Light Enters Where The Light Enters by composer Sævar Jóhannsson was released August 22. On it, Sævar draws inspiration from meditation and 13th century poet Rumi. Sævar shared the stories and inspiration behind…
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CH-CH-CHANGER
BAND_MEMBERS_V44_FINAL_DRAFT The world of music is a dynamic landscape, constantly shifting and evolving, much like the metal band Changer (no pun intended). In this Filthy interview, I talked to Kristján – Changer’s drummer and frontman – to revisit some highlights of the…
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Grapevine New Music Picks: Geigen, Laufey, Ari Árelíus & More
This week, we celebrate with an all new print issue of the Reykjavík Grapevine. Its cover feature dives into the controversy surrounding Icelandic whaling practises. Earlier in the week, two environmental activists – Anahita Babaei and Elissa Bijou – chained themselves to…
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Grapevine New Music Picks: Laufey, LÓN, Ingibjörg Turchi & More
As the new month rolls in, we are contractually obligated to remind everyone to give Billy Joe Armstrong a wake up call when September ends. The weather hits us with the stark realisation that summer is officially over, as the southwestern corner…
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Take a Godchilla Pill
Mysticism, Hypno Wizardry and Forthcoming Release After our chats with Dauðyflin and Graveslime in the last two issues, we come full circle and talk to Godchilla. The three bands will share a lineup at KEX Hostel on August 31 on the occasion…
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Slow Production Leads To Great Work
Examining the female-centred creative nucleus Marvaða Although wanting to escape the limelight of an interview, Arnbjörg María Danielsen boasts an impressive career in the cultural industry. Having worked as a director, curator, artistic director and producer, both domestically and internationally, Arnbjörg currently…
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Rediscovering One’s Roots
The Vaka Folk Music Festival celebrates Icelandic tradition Iceland’s musical exports tend to generate buzz. Since the advent of the Sugar Cubes and the subsequent breakout solo careers of Björk and the rise of Sigur Rós that followed, the nation has earned…
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Track By Track: The Light By Eydís Evensen
Eydís Evensen’s album The Light contrast luminous emotions with darkness Eydís Evensen’s sophomore album was released May 25. The sequence of compositions moves through bright and dark emotions, finally resolving in a final beam of light. We sat down with Eydís who…
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Grapevine New Music Picks: Ingibjörg Turchi, Benjamín Gísli Trio, Bríet & More
With school starting again, people flock to the streets and into their everyday routines. If you’re bored of listening to that same radio show on your way to work, let this list of brand new music occupy the humdrum of mundanity. There’s…