"A queer, euphoric fever dream that you don’t want to wake up from" - 5 star review, The Age
Self-described as the Gaysian empress of Sydney is trilingual Malaysian-born, Chinese Australian musician, performance artist and DJ, Dyan Tai.
As one of promising artists awarded the prestigious Generations Music Fellowship (Powerhouse Museum, Astral People, CreateNSW) and Performance Space’s Queer Development Program, Dyan Tai (he/they) is recognised for his music and live shows that bring together elements of Asiatic drag, performance art intersected with synth heavy electronic music, androgynous vocals and the use of a mirror coated keytar.
Dyan’s music has received support from 88Rising Radio (SiriusXM, North America) and local community radio (Triple J, FBI Radio, 4ZZZ). “We Can’t Forget” from his new "Empress 皇后 EP", was a collaboration with award-winning Guzheng artist, Mindy Meng Wang and premiered on Triple J’s New Release show, “Tops” and Kalblut Magazine. He was recently selected for the first APRA AMCOS Pride Songhubs curated by Troye Sivan, Lucas Keller (Milk & Honey) and worked with artists such as Chela and Jamaica Moana; and included in Apple Music’ Queer Australia Pride playlist.
He performed his Empress EP to a full house at Powerhouse Ultimo recently as part of Powerhouse Late x Worship Queer Collective anniversary; and have opened for Electric Fields (Coastal Twist Festival) and performed at the Rina Sawayama’s official album launch in Sydney.
His previous works, “Freedom” was highly received and featured on ABC Queer and SBS Australia. Released in Nov 2020, “Freedom” included a music video which explores the history of drag in Chinese opera with a historic all-Queer Asian cast; and currently curated to be part of Warrnambool Art Gallery’s “Self Creation” exhibition. "Expiratory" was chosen as a finalist for Diversity Arts Australia's "I am not a virus" campaign and featured on "Art Talks" on ABC TV Plus.
Also featured in the "Chinese Australian" episode of award winning ABC show "You Can't Ask That" (Season 6), his work and performances continue to centre around his upbringing in conservative Malaysia and his quest to find freedom wherever we find ourselves.
Dyan is also a presenter on FBI Radio’s Kings & Queens and a guest speaker at music and community events such as Electronic Music Conference 10th Anniversary, ACON, Settlement Services International. His dedication has seen him nominated for an 2022 ACON Honours Award in "Arts and Entertainment"; in Arts and Entertainment and the 2022 Inner West Council Citizen of The Year Award with a special recognition for his contribution to the QTPOC community.
As a club DJ, Dyan has developed a niche in 2000s rnb/hip hop and pop anthems. He is a resident DJ and guest performer at various venues and events across Sydney (Mardi Gras Fair Day, Heaps Gay, Unicorns Party, Honcho Disko, Marly Bar, Goros, Bank Hotel)
As the founder of Worship Queer Collective, Dyan continues to raise awareness and visibility of Queer & Trans People of Colour (QTPOC) as the founder of Worship Queer Collective which was recognised and cited as part of the global movement to unite Queer Asians and QTBIPOC communities alongside New York, LA, San Francisco and Toronto.
With Dyan’s guidance, the Collective continues to champion the local Queer Asian Excellence movement with rave reviewed community events. Their Melbourne Fringe Festival debut received a 5 star review on The Age and “Space Rabbit: Queer Lunar New Year Festival” was highly received with features on ABC Queer, ABC Everyday.
WorshipQC's highly successful "Don’t Cha Wish You Yum Cha?” cabaret show featured an historic all-queer Asian cast and was selected as one of the coveted Sydney WorldPride official arts program with 6 x sold out shows across the Pride season.