Dyan Tai, Sydney’s Gaysian Empress, delves into their new single Hantu, deep into Southeast Asian soundscapes and LGBTQ+ advocacy

Dyan Tai, the Gaysian Empress of Sydney, recently dropped by Happy Mag to chat about their latest single, ‘Hantu’.

A haunting, textured electronic anthem, ‘Hantu’ samples Indonesian/Malay soundscapes and Tuvan throat singing, creating a unique and captivating soundscape.

They wrote the song earlier this year during Sydney World Pride to honor the lives lost through HIV/AIDS, especially in Southeast Asia and Malaysia, where the gay community still faces persecution for their sexuality and gender identity.

Dyan Tai’s music is known for exploring sounds from Southeast Asia and Mayalia, and their latest single is no exception. The song features common soundscapes like sarangi, which adds to the song’s haunting and ethereal quality.

In addition to the single, Dyan Tai has also collaborated with Sean Parker the music video –  a visual feast, featuring an all-East/Southeast Asian, AMAB (assigned male at birth) cast, and explores masculinity, power, sexuality, and queerness.

You can check it out here, and stay connected with Dyan Tai via Instagram.

Cheers to tixel for making this interview possible.