Forged from the windswept hills of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, melded by the breakneck BPM of China, Kaishandao (Mandarin for ‘machete’) produces a hard-hitting sound of complex origins and eccentric imperfections that chops a lost and found heritage into a playful mash-up of delirious dance music. Inspired by noisy bands, club wubs and deep cut nostalgia, Kaishandao’s live set teases the borders of techno, IDM and experimental music, exploring the sonic realms between lo-fi and hi-fi. Wielding a drum machine, guitar and effects, she has performed at festivals such as Chun You, Camp A Low Hum, Newtown Festival and Twisted Frequency, while her tracks have been released by labels Wisdom Teeth, Siamese Twins and Crater Records. A talisman of her local scenes, Kaishandao can be found toggling between China and Aotearoa. Whether it’s touring strange bands with Kiwese (www.kiwese.co.nz), mashing buttons at Chengdu Community Radio (http://cdcr.live), or clocking up hours front left — her infectious energy has culminated into a refreshing sound of her own — born in the moshpit, reared in the club.