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 aContinueContinue reading “One night at MAO Livehouse Kunming”
Category Archives: Music
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 BrainfeederContinueContinue 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 NovaContinueContinue 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 theContinueContinue reading “Review: Nova Heart at Little Bar in Chengdu 11/15 and 17/12”
Kiwese Prize Pack Giveaway!!
One year ago, amidst the panoramic plume of grey sky and uncontrollable heating units of Beijing, over a tenuous VPN connection in a dank, cramped dorm room at BLCU, Kiwese was born. To celebrate this milestone, Kiwese has a prize pack to giveaway to one lucky winner! This is a bunch of original notes I hacked out while thinking about what I wantedContinueContinue reading “Kiwese Prize Pack Giveaway!!”
From Tuva to Chengdu: Interview with Sayan Bapa from Huun-Huur-Tu
It is cold tonight — but not a touch on the sub-zero Siberian winters that Huun-Huur-Tu have weathered in their homelands of Tuva, a remote region of Russia near the outer Mongolian border. Proof that group huddles around a fire for warmth result in sing-a-longs, especially those that take place in a yurt. Sayan Bapa founding member of the veteran throat singing ensemble sharedContinueContinue reading “From Tuva to Chengdu: Interview with Sayan Bapa from Huun-Huur-Tu”
Put down your screens: Interview with Liang Yi from Stolen
Ever find yourself wasting time by mindlessly scrolling through an endless stream of images ? Disillusioned by the modern obsession with digital documentation, Chengdu post-punk/cold-wave band Stolen 秘密行动 are touring their new EP Stealing Our Lenses《我们遗失的视角》, which might make you think twice about updating your Instagram in the middle of a gig. Kiwese caught up with frontman Liang Yi 梁艺 earlier this week for aContinueContinue reading “Put down your screens: Interview with Liang Yi from Stolen”
Zaomengshe Turns 1: Interview with Lydia McAulay
While the Chinese Government plaster the streets with images of the ‘Chinese Dream’ 中国梦, there are quite different dreams being conjured in the belly of the Chengdu underground. Zaomengshe.com 造梦社 is crowd funding website that provides a platform for the local creative community. Co-founder and Marmite enthusiast Lydia McAulay came over for a cuppa to talk about the website’s one year anniversary. The music scene in Chengdu is probably the mainContinueContinue reading “Zaomengshe Turns 1: Interview with Lydia McAulay”
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