For decades, music has been a key element in uniting individuals of various different cultures. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll find someone with similar taste in music or the same favorite artists. Personally, regardless of where I am in the world, I always feel comfortable in new surroundings by listening to the same music that I listen to back home in America. Every radio channel, store, music festival, or playlist features familiar songs that I always recognize. Music is often similar universally and allows people of different cultures to unite and bond over similar interests. However, music also gives you the ability to learn new things and to expand your horizons. During travels abroad, you have the opportunity to discover new music through the people you meet who will inspire you and share their taste in music with you.

After a week of studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, my friends and I decided it was time to go to our first music festival and engage with some locals. Upon arrival at Laneways music festival, the music, the locals, and the high energy immediately rubbed off on us and we felt ready to see our favorite American artists in Australia. This was the first music festival that I had been too out of the United States and it was truly inspiring to see Australians interacting with people of various different cultures.

Worlds collided and cultures united as everyone danced to Australian local bands and American performers. As I looked around the crowd, I saw all the local Australians singing along to all the lyrics by various well-known American artists and DJs such as Odeza and Rex Orange County. Music unites us and allows us to expand our horizons by meeting new individuals and feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity in such a distant country. No matter where you are you’ll hear the artists that you love being admired and celebrated by other cultures.

Here are 5 artists we know and love in the United States who are actually from Australia:

1. Chet Faker (Nick Murphy)

Australian singer and songwriter Nick Murphy (also known as Chet Faker) has been admired in America for many years. With several performances throughout the United States, his albums Built on Glass and Thinking in Textures have been celebrated and honored.

2. Flume

Australian DJ Flume has blown up in the past couple years with his career taking off in the United States. Flume has performed at several music festivals in many different states and has sold out many venues as the headliner. With his well-known albums Skin and Flume he has expanded his fan base and is now admired both in Australia and the U.S.

3. Tame Impala

The psychedelic rock band Tame Impala started in Perth, Western Australia in 2007 and made it’s way over to the U.S. The talented band has now been the headliner of several shows and festivals throughout the states and are admired by many indie teenagers and adults.

4. Vance Joy

Australian singer/songwriter Vance Joy from Melbourne, Australia brought his talents over to the America a couple years ago. Will his well known songs Riptide and Mess is Mine he has expanded his fan base and is now headlining several famous music festivals throughout the states.

5. Rüfüs du sol

Alternative dance Dj’s Tyrone Lindqvist and Jon George are the masterminds behind the group Rüfus du sol. They originate from Sydney, Australia and have brought their talent over to the United States and many parts of Europe.