Reykjavík Grapevine - Nov 2021, Page 2

First 06: Drugged Drinks
06: Natural Wines
07: How Poetry Was
Invented
12: All That Jazz
14: Icelandic Saunas,
Rated
22: Björk And The Choir
COVID-19 is far from over—contrary to my rather matter-
of-fact declaration in an editorial some months ago, (hey I’m
optimistic by nature)—but it appears to be moving slowly in
the right direction. The culture sector is getting back on its
feet, though the cancellation of Iceland Airwaves was defi-
nitely a shock, and perhaps a reality check for us optimists.
In hindsight, it feels as though the festival could have possibly
gone ahead, although not in the same format as in the pre-
pandemic era. But hindsight is 20/20, right?.
While the sector is rebounding, culture itself is booming.
New music is still coming out, and new talents are emerging,
like fantastic jazz-prodigy Laufey Lin, who we interview in
our culture feature on page 12. Árn! Margrét is also one to
watch. She was supposed to perform at Iceland Airwaves, but
will instead appear during Live From Reykjavík on November
6th. Check out our interview with Árn! on page 18, and look
her up on YouTube to let her incredible voice fill your soul.
The Icelandic Dance Company, with Erna Ómarsdóttir
at the helm, and composer Anna "orvaldsdóttir performed
an amazing piece in Harpa at the end of October. You can
find our review of the unique performance on page 20. And
the one and only Björk put on a fantastic concert series that
was televised by RÚV. She showed us that she has not only
not forgotten anything, but is still incredibly inventive in her
performance. We dived into the TV performance and wrote
about it for you on page 22.
In short, the magazine is filled with all aspects of the
vibrant Icelandic culture that have emerged from the anxiety
and fear of the pandemic. It reminds us that—no matter how
hard things get—art and culture always prevail, and humanity
always emerges from its depths.

Valur Grettisson
Editor-in-chief
John Pearson is a
Reykjavík resident
who combines journa-
ism with profes-
sional backgrounds
in music, broadcast-
ing, scuba diving,
engineering and
underwater photogra-
phy. He loves puns,
alliteration and lists
that have three things
in them.
Art Bicnick, the
Grapevine's video
magician and pho-
tographer, is himself
unphotographable.
This is due to the
fact that he consists
mainly of stardust; a
handy characteristic
that enables him to
float smoothly across
rocky volcanic ter-
rain, and through
apparently solid
objects.
Poll" is a hard-work-
ing journalist by day
and an enthusiastic
ball-catcher by
night. A four-year-old
dachshund mix with
an IQ of a five-year-
old human, Poll! has
been the o"cial
Chief Of Morale at
the Grapevine for
eight months and is
a regular contribu-
tor to the Grape-
vine Newscast on
YouTube. Woof.
Desirai Thompson
is an American
graduate who made
her second home in
Sweden before pick-
ing up and moving
to Iceland. Having
studied psychology
and human rights,
she’s now flexing her
journalistic muscle
at the Grapevine. She
spends her spare
time secretly watch-
ing reality TV and
dreaming of getting
a dog.
Catharine Fulton is a
writer who has been
involved with the
Grapevine for many
years—possibly too
many—serving as
journalist, food edi-
tor and news editor
before settling on
copy editor. When not
wielding her red pen
she's o#en found
opining on Canadian
politics (profession-
ally), and bitching
about Icelandic
politics (for fun).
Shuruthi Basappa is
one of Iceland's most
knowledgeable food-
ies. She's covered
local restaurants for
years and has also
been involved in vari-
ous food competi-
tions in Iceland, such
as Food & Fun and
more. By day, she
works as an architect
at Sei Studio.
Andie Sophia Fontaine
has lived in Iceland
since 1999 and has
been reporting since
2003. They were the
first foreign-born
member of the
Icelandic Parliament,
an experience they
recommend for
anyone who wants
to experience a
workplace where
colleagues work tire-
lessly to undermine
each other.
Reetta Huhta is a
Finnish student who
moved to Iceland
to become an au
pair, and decided
to never fully leave
the country. She
aspires to become a
journalist, and what
would be a better
place to start than
Grapevine? You can
probably spot her at
Ka" Vest, where she
spends most of her
free time.
Valur Grettisson is
an award-winning
journalist, author
and playwright. He
has been writing for
Icelandic media since
2005. He was also a
theatre critic and
one of the hosts of
the cultural program,
'Djöflaeyjan' on RÚV.
Valur is not to be
confused with the
dreadful football club
that bears the same
name.
23: The Heart of Sóley
24: Nornagal's Witches
Wail
31: New Circle Tour
COVER ART:
Photo by Steve Gullich.
On the cover: Damon
Albarn contemplates
the awesome majesty
of Icelandic mountains.
Read his interview with
Andie Sophia Fontaine on
page 8.
EDITORIAL We’re Slowly
Getting There
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