Temple Rat is the alias of Yuxin Mei, a composer, Erhu player, and DJ from China, currently based in Berlin. Her work seamlessly merges traditional folk instruments with contemporary electronic music production, skillfully incorporating self-built sound design tools and field recordings to craft her unique sonic identity.
Her music exists at the intersection of IDM and ambient genres, enriched with Eastern influences and deep, powerful rhythms. Her performances, which include live acts and DJ sets, are often centered around extensive field recordings and emotionally charged storytelling.
In her artistic practice, Mei explores the dynamic interplay between space, environment, and sound through installations and live performances. She employs creative techniques such as deep listening, field recordings, and spatial sound design to shape her works. Mei also hosts a monthly podcast, Ni Chi Le Mei, on Baihui Radio China, where she spotlights global music. She has performed at iconic venues like Berghain, Art Biesenthal, Zenner, and Boiler Room Shanghai, among others. Mei focuses on sound design and interactive installations and organizes events under the collectives “Er Ting Ba Fang” (耳聽八方) and “Jia La”, promoting cross-cultural interaction and musical collaboration.
Her recent projects include the physical release of The Compositions of Air on Siamese Twins Records, which has garnered praise in record stores across Asia and Europe. Additionally, her track The Garden of Earthly Delights was featured on the VA Kāthā Remixes album, remixed by UK IDM pioneer Higher Intelligence Agency.