One night at MAO Livehouse Kunming

Kunming. The south-western provincial capital of Yunnan, China's very own Shangri-La of tourism. Images that spring to mind are probably not whiskey-swigging, tattoo-covered electro-pop divas. Having far exceeded one's tolerance levels for crap pop music and 'Xiao Ping Guo,' Kiwese was excited to check out local bands Strange Days and South Acid MiMi Dance Team at the latest addition to the MAO Livehouse empire. Generally considered as aContinue reading "One night at MAO Livehouse Kunming"

A Myopic Travel Guide to Chongqing

With countless flights of endless stairs to tone those thighs and hot pot so spicy it will empty your bowels; those looking to lose weight might find a trip to Chongqing 重庆 is just the ticket. Kiwese spent a few days in the south west mega city of Chongqing to see what's up in a municipality population of almost 30 million people. My firstContinue reading "A Myopic Travel Guide to Chongqing"

“Are you not Chinese?”: Reassessing my Chinese identity in China

I pissed all over the floor. Argh, squat toilets. Two Chinese girls who went in afterwards burst out laughing. There has got to be nothing more private and subsequently humiliating than what goes on in the bathroom. This was my first day in Beijing two years ago. Kiwese offers some thoughts about traversing the seas between cultural difference and racial assimilation in China,Continue reading "“Are you not Chinese?”: Reassessing my Chinese identity in China"

Pei Pa Koa

Kiwese is certainly not qualified to be giving medical advice, but PEI PA KOA, guys. I came down with a pretty bad illness during my recent stay in the Miao village turned tourist town of Xijiang, in South East Guizhou. To make myself feel less crappy, the period will now be referred to as myContinue reading "Pei Pa Koa"

Electronic Music with Chinese Characteristics: Interview with Howie Lee

It's 1.23pm and Howie Lee has just woken up. He's in Taipei right now working on his debut album, following a mega productive few years for this Beijing beat producer, producing a swag of EPs, party starting with his collective Do Hits and receiving sub woofing kudos from the likes of Gilles Peterson and BrainfeederContinue reading "Electronic Music with Chinese Characteristics: Interview with Howie Lee"

She Bangs the Drums: Interview with Atom from Nova Heart & Hedgehog

What do Nova Heart and Hedgehog have in common? They're both from Beijing and both have Shi Lu 石璐 aka Atom as the driving force on drums! Kiwese got the chance to ask Atom a few questions about what it's like being a drummer in two of Beijing's most well-loved indie bands. KIWESE: Hey Atom! How did you first join NovaContinue reading "She Bangs the Drums: Interview with Atom from Nova Heart & Hedgehog"

Review: Nova Heart at Little Bar in Chengdu 11/15 and 17/12

Nova Heart have graced Chengdu with their presence twice in the past two months, touring their hotly anticipated debut album,《新星的心》and drinking the whiskey cabinet dry. Word has spread about the spellbindingly evil electronica of this four-piece supergroup, masterminded by the inimitable 'Queen of Beijing Rock' Helen Feng 冯海宁, formerly of Ziyo/Free the Birds, Pet Conspiracy, on lead vocals and lead chaos - as well as co-founder of theContinue reading "Review: Nova Heart at Little Bar in Chengdu 11/15 and 17/12"