Ōtautahi, New Zealand might not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of hard-hitting techno, but for Chole, it’s always been fertile ground.
Growing up in the 03, Chole was immersed in a vibrant arts community that encouraged exploration. Classical instruments at seven taught her the structures and theory behind music, laying a foundation that would later underpin her pulsing, 4×4-driven sets. “Music is a beautiful blackhole, possibilities are infinite,” she reflects, crediting her early training with giving her a vocabulary to articulate sound.
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Her introduction to hard techno came almost by accident during her time in Dunedin in 2023. A friend recommended a Lily Palmer set recorded live at the European Space Agency for Drumcode Radio, and for Chole, it was a revelation. “It was so new to us, we had never heard anything like it in New Zealand, and that was it, there was no going back.” The discovery ignited a passion that would quickly propel her from bedroom DJing to festival stages.
Ōtautahi’s underground scene, too, has been formative. Artists like Keepsakes, Ebb, and Hang the Saints inspired her approach to production and performance. Their dedication to the stomp and groove demonstrated that technical skill could coexist with raw energy. HAVEN, the city’s standout club night, gave her a template for intimacy and connection. “The energy, the atmosphere, the intimacy of the nights is always so chaotic but in the best way possible… everyone who is there are THERE. No phones, not videos, just pure movement.”
By 2023, Chole had realized that New Zealand’s nightlife was ready for her take on techno. Her first gig at a university bar was electric, a moment that confirmed the path she was meant to follow. From there, she quickly transitioned into student radio, creating space to experiment and refine her style, which eventually led to bookings at Rolling Meadows, Hidden Lakes, and Two Minds Festival. Reading a crowd became an art form in itself. Her sets balance a mix of hardgroove, hypnotic, and stompy techno, curated to push and pull tension while staying true to her sound.
Her influences are evident in the signature fast, groovy, stompy identity she has cultivated. Jay Lumen, Wehbba, Efesian, and Mac Declos provide the blueprint: a perfect balance of a hard bottom end and rhythmic, spinning drums. Chole’s own selection process emphasizes wave-building and movement, layering atmospheric intros with stompy kicks, switching energy mid-set, and keeping the groove alive. It’s a sound that is uniquely hers, blending the harder edges of techno with a bounce and accessibility that defines her as one of Aotearoa’s emerging leaders in hard dance.
Production was the natural next step. “Creating art that’s unique is what defines me as an artist, following my instincts, seeing where it takes me. It’s also my way of giving back to the community, sounds for everyone to express themselves to.” Her Euro Freq Radio show on RDU has further cemented her role as a conduit for European-style hard techno, educating local audiences while expanding her own reach. The positive reception has reinforced her trajectory, opening doors to international collaborations and broader recognition.
Looking ahead, Chole’s ambitions are expansive. She plans to release new music, explore subgenres like breaks and dub techno, and curate more Euro Freq club nights. Her philosophy is straightforward: authenticity above all. “A real artist is someone who always stays true to themselves… ones who value depth and intention will always create authentic art which is appreciated.” Her position as a young female producer from a geographically isolated scene adds an extra layer of significance. In a market often overlooked, her voice carries not just the stomp of the beat but the weight of representation.
Chole is a producer and DJ defined by instinct, precision, and energy – a rare combination that positions her as one of New Zealand’s hottest undiscovered talents of 2025. Her journey from classical instruments to festival stages is just the beginning, and every stomp, every groove, every wave she creates signals a trajectory that’s impossible to ignore.
