Author: Valur Grettisson
The Grim Reality Of Avalanches In Iceland
When news broke out last night that an avalanche hit the small town of Flateyri in the Westfjords, Icelanders feared…
From Leather-Clad Knights To The Golden Globes
The only way to describe the year in Icelandic music now behind us is “Absolutely wild!” Earlier this year, Iceland…
Reading Too Much Into The Icelandic Book Prize Nominees
It’s that time of the year, when writers and scholars fight to the death—in the poetic sense, of course. Yes,…
New In Town: Röntgen
It’s that time of the year: the hipster vibe is low and the darkness is damping your glamorous rock and…
This Is How To Support Iceland: A Guide To Atypical Souvenirs
by Hannah Jane Cohen and Valur Grettisson
Everyone and their mother leaves Iceland with some Brennivín, lakkrís, a stuffed puffin, lopapeysa and a 66°NORTH hat. And don’t…
Just Sayings: “Varla Upp Í Nös Á Ketti”
When it comes to cats, historically, Icelanders are not fans. We have the brutal Yule Cat that eats poor children…
Food Of Iceland: Malt & Appelsín
You would think that preparing a simple mixed Christmas drink would be banal, but when it comes to preparing Icelanders’…
Top Five Videos We Made This Year (And Loved)
Icelanders are truly storm-people. So we gave our photo editor, Art Bicnick, a simple task when the worst storm in…
Five Best Albums Of The Year – And Then Some
This year was a diverse one. The biggest standout, in my opinion, was the incredible collective success of Icelandic classical…
Want To Meet Jesus? Master Hilarion Could Help you With That
Artist and former candidate for Icelandic president’s election, Snorri Ásmundsson, offers people in Iceland a new way to experience the…
Film Wars: Prometheus – Bullshit Or Masterpiece?
Tagline: When it comes to movies, things might get ugly. Premise: Valur Grettisson and Hannah Jane Cohen work together at…
Icelandic Classical Music Still On The Rise: Anna on NYTimes Best Of List – Again
The amazing Icelandic composer Anna Þorvaldsdóttir is again, the second year in a row, on the New York Times’ list…
How to Christmas Like An Icelander
by Hannah Jane Cohen and Valur Grettisson
If there’s anything Iceland loves, it’s taking Christmas to the next level. And hell no—we’re not talking about the Yule…
This Christmas, Go Easy On The Grýla Myth And Don’t Make Pipe Bombs
Oh my, time flies when you’re having fun! Christmas is upon us. Now is the time where Icelanders cook their…
Playlist: From Bad Acid Trip with Elli Grill To Daughters of RVK
Elli Grill – Nú Koma Jólin Úff, what the fuck. This song is a combination of an acid trip and…
Members Of The Independence Party Criticised For Nazi Imagery
A small cell within the Independence Party has been criticised heavily for their advertise in the conservative newspaper, Morgunblaðið, for…
Just Sayings: “Sá er montnastur sem minnst er í varið”
Here’s one for the endless self-posting idiots out there. This saying literally means, “the ones that are conceited are often…
Music News: Maus’s New Album & Eurovision
Maus-‘In This Fraction of a Second I Am Floating’ Maus, the semi-punkish Icelandic answer to Pavement, has republished their second…
Grapevine Playlist: Countess Malaise, Ásgeir, Sin Fang & More
by Valur Grettisson, Andie Sophia Fontaine and Hannah Jane Cohen
The Grapevine Playlist provides you with your regular dose of brand new Icelandic music. This time music for: headbanging and…
Well, You Asked: Star Wars, God & Some Whining
I’m having a quarter-life crisis, help me? Hm, okay, Does that mean you’re like 25 years old? Jesus, relax. My…
Just Sayings: Að Slá Einhverjum Gullhamra
“Að slá einhverjum gullhamra” literally means to hit someone with a golden hammer. In Icelandic though, this means that you…
Food Of Iceland: Landi
Is vodka not doing it for you anymore? Feel like your blackouts should be at least ten hours longer? Well,…
Perfect Day: Sigrún Ásta Jörgensen
Rising stylist Sigrún Ásta Jörgensen has worked with everyone from Tessuti UK to Lykke Li and Vök. More importantly, she…
Just Sayings: “Tekinn á Beinið”
This saying is not really that old. It originated at Akureyri Junior College and means to tell someone off, often…
Grapevine Playlist: JFDR, una schram, Matthildur & More
by Valur Grettisson and Hannah Jane Cohen
What’s going on in Icelandic music today? Lots. Folk, rap, trap, oddly appealing cheese musicals… you name it, and you’ll…