Join the celebration for Dyan Tai’s latest music video for the single ‘Ni Hao’! Embracing the mantle of the “Gaysian Empress of Sydney”, Dyan Tai (he/they) is innovating the music scene with their unique blend of electronic hyperpop, enriched by elements of Beijing opera and classic Southeast Asian melodies. Their groundbreaking style has caught the attention of notable platforms, with NME spotlighting them as one of the must-see acts at BigSound 2023, and Flume characterizing their music as delightfully “soundscapey and weird.” Rolling Stone has also chimed in, distinguishing their music as “sophisticated palette pop’”.”
From their origin in Malaysia to captivating audiences on Sydney’s cabaret scene, and currently shining in the electronic sphere, Dyan Tai, a trilingual talent of Chinese-Australian heritage, presents their newest hit “Ni Hao.” The single, with its clever use of English and Cantonese, offers a humorous yet pointed critique of casual racism in Australia, quickly becoming a crowd-pleaser during live performances. The track boasts an impressive production team with Wave Racer, Astral People (Ninajirachi, Memphis LK) handling the mix and Tahlia Rose-Coleman of Studios 301 mastering the final sound.
Set against visually striking elements designed by director Chris Quyen (SBS Hungry Ghost) and 3D animator Juune Lee, the accompanying visualiser is inspired by the Year of the Dragon and showcases spectacular dragon armor crafted by Bunnism (Drag Race Thailand). With a recent performance at Woodford Folk Festival, Dyan’s itinerary also includes Gaytimes Festival (Victoria), Sydney Mardi Gras Official After Party, and Biennale Sydney 2024.
Dyan Tai’s contributions to the electronic music scene have not gone unnoticed, earning them the Generations Music Fellowship (Powerhouse Museum, Astral People, CreateNSW) and the Queer Development Program by Performance Space. Their unique offerings combine Asian soundscapes, androgynous vocals, and the distinct flair of a mirror-coated keytar during performances. Support for their music has extended from 88Rising Radio (SiriusXM, North America) to local community stations like Triple J, FBI Radio, 4ZZZ, with playlist features on Spotify and Apple Music.
Their latest venture, the interdisciplinary headline show “Permaisuri: The Gaysian Empress Rises,” was a multifaceted triumph with projection animation by Juune Lee, traditional Chinese flute by Chloe Chung, and choreography by Risako. Dyan’s artistry also shone through participation in the inaugural APRA AMCOS Pride Songhubs, a venture led by Troye Sivan and Lucas Keller (Milk & Honey), where they collaborated with artists like Chela and Jamaica Moana. Their diverse performances include opening for Big Wett, gracing the stages of Coastal Twist Festival with Electric Fields, and entertaining guests at Rina Sawayama’s album listening party and Summer Camp Festival.
Beyond tunes, Dyan Tai thrives as an FBI Radio presenter and was featured in the “Chinese Australian” episode of ABC’s “You Can’t Ask That” (Season 6), earning further acclaim and a nomination for Inner West Council Citizen of The Year Award for their enthusiastic engagement with the QTPOC community. A defining moment came with their appearance on the cover of Sydney Star Observer, symbolizing their impactful work in the arts and community sectors.
Recognized as a pioneer behind the Worship Queer Collective, Dyan has been instrumental in rallying Queer Asians and QTBIPOC communities globally, drawing comparisons to the movements in New York, LA, San Francisco, and Toronto. The WorshipQC, under their guidance, continues to uplift the local Queer Asian Excellence movement, with Melbourne Fringe Festival and SydneyWorldPride 2023 celebrations receiving high praises and full attendance.
Dyan Tai’s artistic talents extend to curating WorshipQC’s Queer Mentorship program (Aug 2023). There, they facilitated a historic collaboration between Sydney’s foremost QTBIPOC arts collectives: Big Thick Energy, Club Chrome, Bindi Bosses, and Scary Strangers. This initiative, supported by the City of Sydney, offered workshops and individual coaching, fostering the development of upcoming Queer Asian and QTBIPOC creatives.
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@dyan_tai
Directed by @chrisquyen
3D animation by @juune.lee
Ni Hao is out now: https://sndo.ffm.to/bxqgnjv
