What makes a 'good show'? The artist? The venue? The crowd? Here is a list of ten shows in chronological order that left an impression on Kiwese this year. "Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in the performance is sculpted into something." - Frank Zappa To me, live music is a symbiotic relationshipContinue reading "Favourite Shows 2015"
Jack Body in China: Interview with NZTrio and Gao Ping
To celebrate and share the works of the late, great New Zealand composer Jack Body, the NZ Consulate-General in Chengdu and long-time friend, composer and pianist Gao Ping 高平 invited the NZTrio to perform at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music this month. Kiwese attended a press conference (oooh) with Gao Ping and the lovely folk from NZTrio: Ashley Brown (cello), Justine Cormack (violin) and SarahContinue reading "Jack Body in China: Interview with NZTrio and Gao Ping"
Mian Mian Says
Mian Mian 棉棉 is a writer from Shanghai. A mainstay of the 00后 Beijing-Shanghai art community, Mian Mian's confessional blog writings published in On High In Blue Tomorrows《于忧郁的明天升上的天空》 are scattered with bands, albums, films, poems and lyrics, some of which I have collected here for you to enjoy. There is something about trawling that I like. The thrill of a bargain geneticallyContinue reading "Mian Mian Says"
Radio New Zealand: Orchestra of Spheres China Tour Diary
Following the Orchestra of Spheres x Lady Lazer Light China Tour earlier this year, Baba Rossa has put together this awesome little audio tour diary over on Radio New Zealand! Have a listen over here! Header image by 叶熙杰.
Tell You What 2016
As the annual exchange of useless crap among family and friends beneath a conifer pine approaches, Kiwese is here to shamelessly remind you that Tell You What: Great New Zealand Nonfiction 2016, published by Auckland University Press, is available in stores now! Earlier this year, I received an email from Auckland editor Jolisa Gracewood. She'd stumbled across the blog, and was keen for HanzuContinue reading "Tell You What 2016"
Orchestra of Spheres & Lady Lazer Light: Te China Tour Rockumentary (Official Trailer)
The cosmos aligned in 2015. Late in September, Wellington ancient-future funkists Orchestra of Spheres and their long time collaborator in audio-visual overstimulation Lady Lazer Light, embarked on a two-week tour of China. Festivals, BBQ joints, furniture moving vans, Jingjiu, high-speed trains, fashion photography, and Sichuanhua... Kiwese was stoked to be part of this mind-expanding trip, here's a preview of how it went down. Te China Tour Rockumentary, hittingContinue reading "Orchestra of Spheres & Lady Lazer Light: Te China Tour Rockumentary (Official Trailer)"
VIDEO: Ian Jorgensen / Blink / A Low Hum | Interview in Beijing
For any fan of indie music in New Zealand, the name Blink, the moniker of Ian Jorgensen, and his label A Low Hum is straight up household. The all ages shows he put on in Wellington back in 2006 have had a profound influence on me. No longer did we have to try get into San Fran onContinue reading "VIDEO: Ian Jorgensen / Blink / A Low Hum | Interview in Beijing"
VIDEO: Shocking Pinks | Interview + ‘Smoke Screen’ in Beijing 视频：震惊粉红色｜在北京采访和现场
About a month ago, atop a sunny, slightly crumbling rooftop along a Beijing hutong, Kiwese caught up with Nick, Ash and Cory from Shocking Pinks ahead of their shows in China and beyond. Check it out in the very first episode of Kiwese TV, along with a blitzing version of 'Smoke Screen' live at School Bar! 大概一个月前，在一个北京胡同的有一点破的太阳舞台，奇异思给Shocking Pinks的Nick, Ash 和Cory采访。在奇异思第一集看采访和在北京学校酒吧演的《Smoke Screen》！Continue reading "VIDEO: Shocking Pinks | Interview + ‘Smoke Screen’ in Beijing 视频：震惊粉红色｜在北京采访和现场"
KIWESE 