Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.11.2007, Side 2

02 | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 17 2007 | Year 5 | November 02 – December 06
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Vesturgata 5, 101 Reykjavík
www.grapevine.is
grapevine@grapevine.is
www.myspace.com/reykjavikgrapevine
Published by Fröken ehf.
Editorial:
+354 540 3600 / editor@grapevine.is
Advertising:
+354 540 3605 / ads@grapevine.is
Publisher:
+354 540 3601 / publisher@grapevine.is
The Reykjavík Grapevine Staff
Publisher:
Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson
publisher@grapevine.is
Editor:
Sveinn Birkir Björnsson / birkir@grapevine.is
Assistant Editor:
Steinunn Jakobsdóttir / steinunn@grapevine.is
Editorial Intern:
Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir / vala@grapevine.is
Contributing Writer:
Ian Watson / www.ianwatson.org
Art Director:
Gunnar Þorvaldsson / gunni@grapevine.is
Photographer:
Gunnlaugur Arnar Sigurðsson
gulli@grapevine.is
Marketing Director:
Jón Trausti Sigurðarson / jontrausti@grapevine.is
Sales Director:
Aðalsteinn Jörundsson
adalsteinn@grapevine.is
Support Manager:
Oddur Óskar Kjartansson / oddur@grapevine.is
Distribution:
Samúel Bjarnason / samuel@grapevine.is
Proofreader:
Jane Victoria Appleton
Press releases:
listings@grapevine.is
Submissions inquiries:
editor@grapevine.is
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General inquiries:
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The Reykjavík Grapevine is published 18 times
a year by Fröken ltd. Monthly from November
through April, and fortnightly from May til
October. Nothing in this magazine may be
reproduced in whole or in part without the
written permission of the publishers. Although
the magazine has endeavoured to ensure that
all information inside the magazine is correct,
prices and details may be subject to change. The
Reykjavík Grapevine can be found in Reykjavík,
Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Selfoss, Keflavík, Ísafjörður,
Kárahnjúkar and at key locations around road
#1 and at all major tourist attractions and tourist
information centres.
You may not like it, but at least it's not spon-
sored. (No articles in the Reykjavík Grapevine
are pay-for articles. The opinions expressed are
the writers’ own, not the advertisers’).
Printed by Landsprent ehf. in 30.000 copies.
A Racist Children's Book is Reissued: Black Iceland Responds • Remembering Iceland Airwaves
Icelandic Citizenship Can be Yours, If You know the Process – We Explain It
Issue 17 // Nov 2 - Dec 6 2007+ info. A Complete City Guide and Listings: Map, Dining, Music, Arts and Events
Music!
Thinking Out Loud About the Future of Music
On cover:
Kele Okereke of Bloc Party
at Iceland Airwaves
Photo by:
Emma Svensson
The longest month of my professional life has just
passed, figuratively speaking. This is the fifth is-
sue we put out in less than a month, counting the
three daily Airwaves issues we completed less
than two weeks ago. By now, we are out of energy,
out of patience and more or less out of reasonable
thinking. Fortunately, I am blessed with good co-
workers. If not for the infamous Grapevine cama-
raderie, this daunting task would probably have
been impossible. When you spend 10-12 hours a
day in a room with the same people, every day, for
over a month, two things can happen: either you
form strong bonds, or someone ends up dead. As
luck has it, no one is dead. Yet.
Recently, the publishing house Skrudda re-
published an old translation of the nursery rhyme
Ten Little Niggers, one of the most harrowing texts
ever put together for children. A feverish debate
has risen in this country over the publication. Two
regular contributors to the Grapevine, Marvin Lee
Dupree and Gabriele Guðbjartsson, contacted me
and asked for an opportunity to air their opinion
on the matter. Unlike most of the people who have
made noise, especially those who have cried over
free-speech infringements, Marvin and Gabriele
have a stake in this discussion, as they are on
the receiving end of the incredible tastelessness
this publication represents. I applaud their con-
tributions and hope that their writing will open
some eyes to the hurt that words can cause when
people forget that freedom of speech needs to be
exercised with great responsibility.
Ian Watson has investigated a loophole
of sorts in the Icelandic immigration laws. I use
the word loophole freely here. It seems there is
a shortcut for certain individuals through the
system. This has long been known, but Icelandic
government officials have never made a point of
informing people of the whos, hows and whys of
this shortcut. Until now, this shortcut has been
used for the selected few who Icelandic govern-
ment officials have deemed worthy of receiving
Icelandic citizenship without going through the
proper channels. Ian has dug his heels in and re-
quested answers so you too might enjoy this privi-
lege.
This issue is full of other interesting mate-
rial. I would probably go through it with you, but
I think it is about time for me to head home, and
say goodbye to my partners in crime here at the
Grapevine. Until next time at least.

From the Editor’s Chair
Articles
I Only Ask For Hard Work 06
Interview with Ólafur Jóhannesson
You Too Can be a Citizen 10
The process of applying for citizenship in Iceland
Opinions
Ten Little Who? 08
An opinion by Gabriele R. Gudbjartsson
One Little Nigger 08
An opinion by Marvin Lee Dupree
Features
Big Business vs. Icelandic 12
Will the language barrier exclude Iceland from the global economy?
The Last Days of the Labels 16
The music industry is turned on its side
Music & Nightlife
Airwaves in photos 18
Airwaves Highlights 20
Better the Devil You Knew… 20
Jezebel and Who Knew at Organ
CD and Book Reviews 21
Folk and Frost 22
The rise of Icelandís folk-inspired movement
Outside Reykjavík
Destination: Lake Mývatn 23
Across the Country in 40 Days 28
Adventures of the Lonesome Traveller, Leg III
info.
Listings B2
Food Reviews B10
Shopping B12
The MOMS Parade B14
Interview with art collective MOMS
It’s Our Party, and Weíll Play if We Want to B15
Interview with FM Belfast