Dyan Tai
Create NSW x Powerhouse x Astral People
The Generations Fellowship connects artists with established industry experts and mentors to pass on intergenerational knowledge and create pathways in the music industry. While in residency at Powerhouse from April to October 2022, Dyan Tai launched their 6-track EP and 3 singles accompanied with music videos and artworks. They performed their EP at a Powerhouse Late program, where they invited members of Worship Queer Collective and celebrated the First Anniversary of the Queer Asian Excellence movement.
‘I should continue being true to myself as a performer if that makes me different and sets me apart.’
Self-described as the Asian empress of the gay streets of Sydney, Dyan Tai is a Malaysian-born musician, performance artist and DJ. Dyan is recognised for his edgy performances that are a yin and yang blend of electronic music influenced by Asian instrumentation and culture; sonically paired with his expansive androgynous lithe vocals.
Apart from music, Dyan is also the founder of Worship Queer Collective which was recognised and cited as part of the global movement to unite the Queer Asian community alongside New York, LA, San Francisco and Toronto. The Collective continues to champion the local “Queer Asian Excellence” movement through their rave-reviewed sold-out events such as Tiger Queen: Queer Lunar New Year Festival, Dynasty Social and Don’t Cha Wish You Yum Cha?
The Generations Fellowship connects artists with established industry experts and mentors, to pass on intergenerational knowledge and create pathways in the music industry. Between April 2022 and October 2022, Dyan Tai was in residence at the Powerhouse during which he produced and released an EP alongside three music videos.
When it came to release week, it was tough It’s always a daunting process for me because I’m putting out music and lyrics that I’ve written to the world. After months of preparation, I finally released my new single We Can’t Forget! Featuring Mindy Meng Wang on the Guzheng. The track is about rejection and finding comfort in one’s tribe and community.
When filming the video for the single, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities and support that I have received during the fellowship and from the community I have built through my activism who have come to support me during filming. It means a lot to me to be able to use Powerhouse North Annex as the location of the shoot to commemorate the place where the single (and the upcoming EP) started.
The perfect end to wrap up my time at Powerhouse was my EP launch as part of the Powerhouse Late program, where I took the initiative to invite members of Worship Queer Collective and together, we shared and held space for each other and celebrated the First Anniversary of our Queer Asian Excellence movement. It was a historic moment in Queer Sydney history and I’m really grateful it took place at Powerhouse.
One of the most valuable things that I have learned is to keep creating meaningful and authentic music and plan ahead because as an artist, I should consider and reflect on my creative progress with each release rather than thinking of each single as a ‘be-all and end-all’.
Overall, the fellowship has been a transformational experience. The best thing that happened to me was a shift in my confidence and mindset, an awareness of who I am as an artist and who I want to become, expanded my perspective and aspirations as a musician.
Generations Fellowship
The Generations Fellowship connects artists with established industry experts and mentors to pass on intergenerational knowledge and create pathways in the music industry. Established in 2020, this is a partnership between Create NSW, Powerhouse and Australian music management and touring company, Astral People.
Valued at $100,000, the Fellowship supports three early career solo artists or groups to carry out six months of professional development. Each Fellow is provided with $25,000 in financial support, and in-kind support in the form of studio space at Powerhouse Ultimo or Powerhouse Castle Hill, with industry mentoring and networking facilitated by Astral People throughout each residency.
