It has sadly been announced that Auckland musician Reuben Winter a.k.a. Totems died by suicide last Thursday. The news has sent shockwaves through the Aotearoa music community and tributes are flowing from friends, fans and loved ones across social media. I was lucky to see Reuben perform in various guises over the years, mostly throughContinueContinue reading “blazing up, earth underfoot: rest in peace, Reuben Winter”
Author Archives: Kristen Ng
Hiperson Reconstruct Narratives on Bildungsroman
On their third full-length album Bildungsroman, released last month via Beijing tastemakers Maybe Mars—Hiperson’s incisive, kinetic reconstructions of post-punk, art rock and noise manifest with bright, new sonic self-awareness. “We want to discuss the urgency of now,” says Chen Sijiang, lead singer of Hiperson. We’re sitting in the courtyard of Yishan, a long-running retro antiquesContinueContinue reading “Hiperson Reconstruct Narratives on Bildungsroman”
5.9 The Or, Sonicave, 群像, Luca @ 13Lounge Chengdu
当我们走出家门迎接夏天的温暖怀抱，当世界各地持续封锁，当我们重新想象自己和未来，乐队继续演奏。 为了让你的耳朵从干涸数月的现场音乐得到滋润，The World Underground 和 Kiwese 共同于 5月9日（星期六）在 13Lounge 为你呈现这波成都摇滚节奏。 来自地下世界的摇滚乐队 The Or、群像乐队 和 Sonicave，以及 DJ Luca 将为你带来一场震撼人心的音乐盛宴。从哥特式后朋克到新式迪斯科，我们邀请你加入我们的行列，在与世隔绝的氛围中寻求慰藉。 我们都对未来充满希望。为了我们的城市，为了我们的人民，也为了我们的艺术家。请加入朋友们策划的“成都最好的夜晚”。音乐可以振动即使是最坚硬的灵魂，所以请大家来支持我们，我们的城市和我们正在谨慎重开的场地空间。 +++ As we shed isolation for summer’s embrace,As the world continue through lockdown,As we reimagine ourselves and the future,—— the bands play on.Hydrating your ears from the drought of live music, The World Underground and Kiwese are ecstatic to present this wave ofContinueContinue reading “5.9 The Or, Sonicave, 群像, Luca @ 13Lounge Chengdu”
COVID-19: Uncertainty for the Music Scene As China Reawakens
As China’s new reported COVID-19 cases begin to flatline, cities are finally reawakening after state enforced lockdown since Chinese New Year. But as restrictions lift and the country returns to its usual programming, the future remains uncertain for artists, venues, organizers and audiences alike. “Aren’t you scared?” asked the check-in staff at Auckland Airport. ItContinueContinue reading “COVID-19: Uncertainty for the Music Scene As China Reawakens”
Womb: Remixes
Remixes of Womb’s debut record ‘Like Splitting the Head from the Body’ have been released online in collaboration with producers across China and Aotearoa. About the Remixes This year ‘Like Splitting the Head from the Body’ by WOMB has been reimagined by eight producers across China and Aotearoa in this special remix album ‘Like SplittingContinueContinue reading “Womb: Remixes”
‘Blackholes Are Gathering’: China Screenings 2019
‘Blackholes Are Gathering’ is an experimental documentary by Illojgali aka Dan Harris that follows Wellington artists The All Seeing Hand, E N T, Alphabethead and Kaishandao on their tour through China in 2017. Following it’s recent premiere in Aotearoa, Kiwese is excited to announce a series of nine special screenings in Mainland China! Read moreContinueContinue reading “‘Blackholes Are Gathering’: China Screenings 2019”
In Review: Subterranea 2k19
Back in July, Kiwese hosted “Subterranea 2k19” at 13Lounge, uniting musicians, artists and filmmakers from China and Aotearoa. Havoc Studio filmed a glimpse into the festivities. 13Lounge is a refreshing anomaly. Just north of the raucous EDM clubs and student bars of the 339 TV Tower, it lies stashed away in an unassuming building on MengContinueContinue reading “In Review: Subterranea 2k19”
Thoughts on “Blackholes Are Gathering: A Sonic Journey Through China”
A guiding principle of Chinese philosophy is the Yin and Yang — the opposites of Lightness and Darkness. When things reach their most extreme, they start to decline. Likewise when we are at our lowest, we begin to rise. The Hag will always Re-Hag. Adrift in the hectic sequence of conscious and unconscious fragments transmittedContinueContinue reading “Thoughts on “Blackholes Are Gathering: A Sonic Journey Through China””
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