The next instalment of Ragnar Jónasson’s Dark Iceland series comes exactly at the right time, with both Iceland and Nordic Noir becoming increasingly popular, not to mention the success of Icelandic TV on British screens (see Trapped, Case and stretching the point a little, Fortitude). Again the translator is Quentin Bates, who brings his own […]
Thursday 23rd June 2016 It could be said that Sigur Rós are ideally suited to this location. A stage on the banks of the tidal River Avon facing an impressive classical crescent building. The stage is set beneath a turret and weathervane, and on the river beyond, boats are moored and redundant cranes reach upwards. […]
They say that practice makes perfect. Thin Ice might just be the proof that this is really is the case. Thin Ice is the seventh appearance of Officer Gunnhildur at the hands of Quentin Bates, and each book improves on the last. Quentin is also the translator of the increasingly popular Dark Ice series from […]
Let’s get this out of the way. Ragnar Jónasson is a talented and expert crime writer. If you thought his first foray into the English language market, Snowblind, was good then you’ll love Nightblind. It’s set five years after Snowblind. Ragnar’s believable and grounded Icelandic cop, Ari Thór Arason, is still in beautiful Siglufjördur, although […]
5. Of Monsters and Men: Beneath the Skin Beneath the Skin is a much more mature offering than their previous album, My Head Is an Animal. It still sounds like Of Monsters and Men, and still relies heavily on the partnership of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson, but things have changed. Gone are the […]
Thrilled to be featured in the Wenlock Books Christmas gift guide! 👍
Sigurlaug Gísladóttir wants to see you blush. Ok, let’s get this out of the way. Mr. Silla is not actually a Mister, but the solo project of Sigurlaug Gísladóttir, who has performed with nearly every Icelandic act you can think of including Múm, Low Roar and Snorri Helgason. Quite why she chooses to call […]
Icelanders do this thing on Sundays. They disappear. Saturday night they are everywhere, but on Sunday you’ll do well to find one. Reykjavík 101 was bustling with tourists but not a single Icelander at least before 3pm, when Dunkin Donuts or ice cream shops seem to be the main place to head for. As a […]
I was dreading Reykjavíkurdætur (‘daughters of Reykjavík’) to be honest. Their reviews have been mixed, and I’m not a huge fan of rap with its posturing, but actually I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed myself. Essentially seven girls rapping in Icelandic, it’s huge fun and a good start to the day. It’s impossible […]
I’m not so sure about dj. flugvél og geimskip. Maybe her quirky, discordant lo-fi dance complete with stories of monsters and aliens and squealing elephants sounds better after a few drinks and late at night, because in the cold light of day it all feels a little childish. Svavar Knutúr on the other hand is […]
