From HAAi, to Dom Dolla and Mincey, Australian artists know how to accelerate our heart rates, with many earning their stripes at Sydney nightclub Chinese Laundry. RUSSH had the honour of speaking to the new programming manager of the iconic late-night Sydney destination, Bryony Calleia, who explains why Australian dance and club culture is so unique; the established artists she admires; and who should be next on your dance floor radar.
Calleia has even given us an iconic playlist to get you moving and over to Chinese Laundry to let it all go on the dance floor.
What's so unique about Australian electronic and dance music?
Australian dance culture is a melting pot of cultures from around the world. And being a massive island surrounded by ocean, it’s inherently relaxed. We may not have glossy beach clubs on every corner, but in the right pockets of the scene you will stumble into a sunrise set on the sand or a rave under a highway that rivals anything in Europe. We are in a generational moment. Many of our parents grew up on live music and pub culture, so there is a deep respect for musicianship. Combine that with exposure to global club sounds and you get something unique. It is raw but polished, relaxed but ambitious.
Australian producers have had undeniable global impact. Empire of the Sun, Tame Impala, Flume, Flight Facilities, What So Not, Nina Las Vegas, HAAi, Alison Wonderland, Dom Dolla, KLP and Anna Lunoe did not just break overseas. They helped shape the sound internationally. With international travel paused during the pandemic, we’re seeing a renaissance of hungry local producers refining their craft. Now Australian electronic music feels confident again. There is grit, but there is also that unmistakable Australian summer optimism that you can feel in the tracks.
How has Chinese Laundry contributed to global club culture?
Chinese Laundry is one of those rare venues where history and future-facing programming exist in the same breath. The Sussex Street building has an illustrious history stretching back over a century. In the 1990s it became known for hosting parties, celebrating underground dance music, expression and freedom. That DNA still lives in the space.
What sets Laundry apart globally is intimacy. It is not about spectacle. It is about proximity. You are shoulder to shoulder with the DJ, close enough to feel every frequency. The dance floor feels communal, phone free by nature, because you are too immersed to document it. The programming has always been discovery led. It has acted as a launchpad for Australian talent, with artists like Dom Dolla, Bella Claxton, Caleb Jackson and Mincy experiencing pivotal moments on its stages.
At the same time, it has welcomed international heavyweights such as Marcel Dettmann, Helena Hauff, Salute and Sherelle, artists who define underground culture globally. That balance between nurturing emerging local talent and hosting genre defining internationals has positioned Chinese Laundry as both a cultural incubator and a respected stop on the global circuit. It is distinctly Sydney, and that authenticity is what gives it global relevance.
Who are your favourite legacy artists that continue to inspire you?
To me, legacy is about authenticity, community, storytelling and progression. I am inspired by artists who evolve without losing their core.KLP and Nina Las Vegas are two prominent artists for me locally. And not just musically but culturally. Both Kristy (KLP) and Nina (NLV) have consistently given back to the scene in their own projects, and shown that legacy can also mean leadership. HAAi is another Australian producer who continues to break the mould. I was fortunate enough to attend her album launch in 2022. And then was coincidentally mid mosh when she performed at Lost Paradise (the first LP back after the pandemic). The energy and flow of her set was electric. As a DJ and producer myself, I deeply appreciate that kind of control and intention. The crowd was completely connected, not just to her but to each other.
Kevin Parker of Tame Impala continues to redefine what Australian music can sound like on a global stage. The ability to stay sonically curious while still commanding mainstream recognition is rare. Watching him win another Grammy the other week was genuinely inspiring. Skrillex is another. His evolution has been fearless. Each project feels intentional, not like reinvention for the sake of it, but like a genuine push forward for the culture. He does not repeat formulas. He builds new ones. I think you could ask most people from my generation and they would agree that they too are always keeping tabs on what Skrillex does next. His synthesis and fusion of genres blows my mind. As a multigenre DJ, I’m always taking notes.
Who is the next emerging talent we all should start paying attention to?
There is a new wave of local artists who feel patient and intentional. They understand that longevity takes time. We have seen that ten year arc play out globally with artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, who built quietly before their breakthrough moments. And this same concept applies to these emerging acts, many of which I shared stages with as we were green in the scene and cutting out teeth with our first residencies across Sydney.
Locally, I would keep an eye on Mincy, who is deeply intentional with her sound and identity. And constantly investing in local talent through her label and events under EXTRA SPICY.
Willo is pushing energy forward in a way that feels both club ready and culturally relevant. The recent success of her original track ‘Funk2’ proves that personality and authenticity are a recipe for something contagious and fun.
Bella Claxton continues to carve out her own lane with consistency and conviction. Surusinghe is a powerhouse across many disciplines, and has a global resonance while remaining rooted in her heritage.
Listen to Bryony Calleia's playlist for RUSSH
