Reykjavík Grapevine - 11.10.2013, Side 4

4The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2013
Hafnarstræti 15, 101 Reykjavík
www.grapevine.is
grapevine@grapevine.is
Published by Fröken ehf.
www.froken.is
Member of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association
www.saf.is
Printed by Landsprent ehf. in 25.000 copies.
Editor In Chief:
Haukur S Magnússon / haukur@grapevine.is
Editor:
Anna Andersen / anna@grapevine.is
Editorial:
+354 540 3600 / editor@grapevine.is
Advertising:
+354 540 3605 / ads@grapevine.is
+354 40 3610
Publisher:
Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson / hilmar@grapevine.is
+354 540 3601 / publisher@grapevine.is
Editorial | Anna Andersen
We Got You To Come To Iceland In October, Suckers!
Anna’s 32nd Editorial
If you’re reading this, chances are you live here
or you’re in town for Iceland Airwaves. Why else
would you be here in October or early November?
After all, summer is over (although it was par-
ticularly cold and wet this year) and it’s starting to
feel a lot like winter, but not yet Christmas.
A strategic decision was made two years ago to
push the Airwaves festival back from the middle
to the end of October/beginning of November.
The idea, of course, was to extend Iceland’s
relatively short tourism season, luring thousands
of people to come fuel our economy at a less
than ideal time of year. So here you are, perhaps
unknowingly a victim of Iceland’s robust tourism
crusade.
In his piece, “Come And Meet The Mem-
bers Of The Brand,” on page 64, Haukur Már
Helgason delves into this story—the Prime Min-
istry’s committee on the Image of Iceland and its
legacy, Promote Iceland, which “aims to enhance
Iceland’s good image and reputation, to support
the competitive standing of Icelandic industries
in foreign markets, to attract foreign tourists
and investments to the country, and assist in the
promotion of Icelandic culture abroad.”
As Haukur points out, Promote Iceland is the
only item in the government’s budget proposal
for 2014 that is exempt from cuts. Meanwhile,
the future of Iceland’s healthcare system looks
grim with the national hospital apparently in
shambles. Its executive director just resigned,
telling the media, “I will not be a part of driving
the hospital off the cliff.” (More about that in
“Nobody Likes A Balanced Budget” on page 12.)
Now, if you’re still reading this, chances are
you’re at a café taking refuge from the elements
(last year over Airwaves, winds reached 70 m/s,
far exceeding hurricane strength of 33m/s), so
you might as well find our fancy festival pullout
inside.
Even if I was wrong about you being here for
Airwaves (Hell, there are people living in Verk-
hoyansk, whose weather we check when we’re
feeling down about ours!), the pullout should give
you some insight into Iceland’s successful music
scene.
And that is also part of the plan, you see! As
the government’s Image of Iceland report stated:
“Positive success stories are considered one of the
most successful marketing tools today. […] One
option is constructing stories of the success of
Icelandic companies and individuals in all fields
of enterprise, culture, arts and business. It is
necessary to use poets, writers, photographers
and sound engineers to deliver these stories
convincingly.”
That’s not to say that there isn’t lots of
genuinely great music being made here—there
certainly is—and the musicians gracing our cov-
ers (there are three covers this time around) are
just a few of those making life in Reykjavík more
bearable—enjoyable, even!
GO TO
AIRWAVES.GRAPEVINE.IS
It’s Iceland Airwaves time again, and we’ve got
you covered like we usually do. Yes, you can head
right on over to www.airwaves.grapevine.is to
satisfy all your Airwaves related needs. There are
already band profiles and interviews and videos
and news stories a-plenty to be found there, and
as the bash draws closer we’ll keep adding stuff
and upping the frequency, with festival news,
tips, tricks and rumours. And as usual, we’ll
be reviewing every single show of the official
Airwaves programme, so you can experience the
festival somewhat even if you’re somewhere in
Australia (given that you have an internet con-
nected device around). See you there!
On the cover: Högni Egilsson of
Hjaltalín & Steinunn of DJ Flugvél og
Geimskip. Arnljótur of Ojba Rasta &
Jófrí!ur of Samaris. Daníel Bjarnason &
Margrét Rán Magnúsdóttir of Vök
Photographer: Axel Sigur!arson -
www.axelsig.com
Make up: Ásdís Gunnarsdóttir
Special thanks to:
I!nó, Kex Hostel and Harpan.
Contributing Writers
Arit John
Bob Clueness
Burke Jam
Daví! Roach
Dr. Gunni
Helga "órey Jónsdóttir
Kári Tulinius
Nathan Hall
Óli Dóri
Parker Yamasaki
Patricia "ormar
R.X. Beckett
Ragnar Egilsson
Sindri Eldon
Thomas L. Moir
Valger!ur "óroddsdóttir
Vera Illugadóttir
Journalist
Larissa Kyzer / larissa@grapevine.is
Journalist & Listings editor
Tómas Gabríel Benjamin / gabriel@grapevine.is
Editorial Interns
Alex Baumhardt / alex@grapevine.is
Jonas Kellermeyer / jonas@grapevine.is
Katarina Landström / katarina@grapevine.is
Kristján Leitma / kristjan@grapevine.is
Art Director
Hör!ur Kristbjörnsson / hordur@dodlur.is
Design:
Hrefna Sigur!ardóttir / hrefna@dodlur.is
Photographers:
Axel Sigur!arson / www.axelsig.com
Matthew Eismann
Sales Director:
A!alsteinn Jörundsson / adalsteinn@grapevine.is
Helgi "ór Har!arson / helgi@grapevine.is
Distribution manager:
distribution@grapevine.is
Proofreader:
Jim Rice
Listings:
listings@grapevine.is
Submissions inquiries:
editor@grapevine.is
Subscription inquiries:
+354 540 3605 / subscribe@grapevine.is
General inquiries:
grapevine@grapevine.is

YOUR FREE COPY THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIFE, TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT IN ICELAND
! 2013
October 11 - November 7
Issue 16
+ Complete Reykjavík Listings Lots of cool events Download the FREE Grapevine Appy Hour app!Every happy hour in town in your pocket. Available on the App store and on Android Market.
Meet Iceland’s
Lolitas (SFW)
Of happiness
explored…
Learn to spot the
good ones!
The Muskoxen
that never were
We visit some
víks!
YEARS
2003-2013
Grapevine
Airwaves
Special
Samaris
vs.
Ojba Rasta
POLITICSCULTURE BEER HISTORY TRAVEL
Founders:
Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson,
Hör!ur Kristbjörnsson,
Jón Trausti Sigur!arson,
Oddur Óskar Kjartansson,
Valur Gunnarsson
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. The Reykjavík
Grapevine is distributed around Reykjavík, Akureyri, Egilssta!ir,
Sey!isfjör!ur, Borgarnes, Keflavík, Ísafjör!ur and at key locations
along road #1, and all major tourist attractions and tourist informa-
tion centres in the country.
You may not like it, but at least it's not sponsored (no articles
in the Reykjavík Grapevine are pay-for articles. The opinions
expressed are the writers’ own, not the advertisers’).
www.fontana.is
Be in your
element
GEOTHERMAL
STEAM ROOMS
THERMAL
BATHS
SAUNA
The perfect rest stop between Thingvellir and Geysir
Open everyday 11-21
Make sure your Golden Circle tour completes the geothermal experience
Visit the Laugarvatn Fontana wellness centre. Relax in steam rooms over a natural
hot spring and open air thermal baths. Afterwards try local delicacies in our café.
Ask us how the locals at Laugarvatn use the steam baths!
You may have heard that Iceland Airwaves is coming
up, and have we got a surprise for you! This issue we
won’t be giving away one track, or an EP, but a MEGA
PLAYLIST FEATURING 49 AIRWAVES ARTISTS! We’re
super psyched to be able to share these songs. If you
are flying in for the festival, we hope you’ll get stoked
listening to them on the way over, and if you are in town
we trust you’ll be sharing the playlist with all of your
friends.
The Grapevine’s Fancy Airwaves Compilation 2013
Download for FREE at airwaves.grapevine.is
PÉTUR BEN – Visions / ULTRA MEGA TECHNOBANDI!
STEFÁN – Babylon Ft. Arnór Dan / BÁRUJÁRN – Vígspá
/ MOSES HIGHTOWER – Tro!inn Snjór / PRINSPOLO –
Bragdarefur / KJURR – You / KONTINUUM – Moonshine /
BELLSTOP – Trouble / SINDRI ELDON – Bitter & Resentful /
SAKTMODIGUR – Kobbi V / Strigaskór Nr. 42 – Ellos Son Locos
/ ANGIST – Death Incarnate / TRUST THE LIES – Generation
Genocide / IN THE COMPANY OF MEN – Steini Milljón / MO-
MENTUM – The Freak Is Alive / CATERPILLARMEN – Gimme
Grinders / LOCKERBIE – Heim / HELLVAR – Anna Amma /
HYMNALAYA – In My Early Years / HUDSON WAYNE – Feel-
ings / JARA – Animal / 1860 – Bastion (It Matters) / BOOGIE
TROUBLE – Gin Og Greip / DJ. FLUGVÉL OG GEIMSKIP
– Draumar Töframannsins / FUTUREGRAPHER – Ambient
Spítt / EPIC RAIN – Shoveling Coals / GOOD MOON DEER
– Black / THIZONE – A Moment Of Love / LORD PUSSWHIP
– Lil' Gottskálk / AUXPAN – Traditional Music / KIRA KIRA
– Welcome High Frequency Spirits United / BJÖRK VIGGÓS-
DÓTTIR – Gravity / RETROBOT – Insomnia / KAJAK – Gold
Crowned Eagle / NOLO – Feeling / RÖKKURRÓ – Skuggamyn-
dir / "ÓRIR GEORG – Ask Yourself / YLJA – Út / JÓHANN
KRISTINSSON – No Need To Hesitate / ORIGINAL MELODY
– Tokio Soul / MAGNOOSE – Ill Be Quantic / BIGGI HILMARS
– Happiness / MY BUBBA – Poem Found In The Pocket Of An
Amazon / RAGGA GRÖNDAL & SIGRÍ!UR THORLACIUS –
Astrocat Lullaby / HJALTALÍN – Letter To [...] / AMABA DAMA
– Thyrnirose / LOW ROAR – Friends Make Garbage, Good
Friends Take It Out / AMIINA – Over And Again
Fancy download instructions:
1) Download the mix in a snappy .zip folder or torrent at
airwaves.grapevine.is. It will be available for download
starting on October 11.
2) Unzip or open it and burn the tracks onto a bunch of
CDs or upload them to your mp3 player.
3) You can print out the cool cover we made with it too!
. .i

. l i t r l
l l li i i f .
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