Kristen Ng

INFO

NameKristen Ng (she/her)
Also known as伍思听, Kaishandao 开山刀
Born1990
Country of BirthAotearoa
Place of ResidenceChengdu
EthnicitiesChinese (Cantonese)
ArtformLiterature, Music
Decades Active2010s, 2020s

ABOUT

Kristen Ng lives in Chengdu, where she produces music as Kaishandao 开山刀, and runs a website and independent music touring agency called Kiwese.

Ng grew up in Pōneke Wellington. In 2013 she created Kiwese, a multimedia blog covering music, politics, and her travels. That same year, Ng moved to Beijing as a student, before relocating to Chengdu in 2014. There, she became involved with underground music venues and festivals and began working as a freelance writer, translator, and promoter. Through Kiwese, Ng has organised several tours for New Zealand bands visiting China.

Since 2017, Ng has produced and performed electronic music as Kaishandao 开山刀. Mandarin for ‘machete’, Ng describes Kaishandao as chopping together “a lost and found heritage into a playful mash-up of delirious dance music” — counting Camp A Low Hum, Wellington’s DIY music scene, and the “party stamina” of Chengdu’s underground among her influences. As well as playing shows across China and Aotearoa, Kaishandao has featured on Boiler Room and NTS Radio. Ng also helped establish ccdr.live (Chengdu Community Radio), which streams music online weekly, amplifying music and culture from Chengdu and China.

LINKS

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Last updated: 29 February 2024 Suggest an Edit

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OTHER PHOTOS AND Ephemera

Bright green casette tape in front of its case

Cassette release of Kaishando's EP Homeland, 2021

Poster advertising a gig by Kaishando in Beijing, made in a collage style using cut out letters

Beijing poster from the Kaishando Tour, 2021

Poster listing tour dates and locations with the artist name Kaishando at the top and a black and white photo of the artist

Poster for Kaishando's Homeland EP China tour, 2021

Kristen Ng holding a bouquet of flowers, illuminated by the camera flash

Kristen Ng (Kaishando) in Chengdu

Photo by Tao Yun

An overhead view of people dancing around a DJ stage, taken in black and white

Kaishandao performing at TAG

Photo by Tao Yun