18. Charlie Needs Braces

Kieran Lama is the drummer and founding member of Spacey Jane, one of Australia’s most successful indie rock exports of the past decade. Originally formed in Western Australia, the band has grown from playing backyard shows in Fremantle to selling out iconic venues across North America, including Brooklyn Steel, First Avenue, The Fillmore, and the 9:30 Club. Alongside his role in the band, Kieran also works in artist management and has played a key role in navigating Spacey Jane’s international growth alongside setting the pace for soon-to-be global headliners Phoebe Go and Polly. Fresh off major festival appearances and an expanding presence in the US, he joins Adam today from Hollywood, California, to talk about building an Australian band from the ground up and taking it to the world.

Hatchie is the project of Harriette Pilbeam, an Australian artist blending dreamy shoegaze textures with shimmering pop melodies. After breaking through with her debut album Keepsake in 2019, she returned with Giving The World Away in 2022, expanding her sound into something more expansive and emotionally raw. Known for her lush, immersive live shows and unmistakable sonic palette, Hatchie has built a global following and continues to carve out her own space in the indie pop landscape. She joins Adam today here in sunny Hollywood, California.

We kick off 2026 with Charlie Needs Braces. Charlie Needs Braces is a combination of Charlie and her sister, Miri. They are GuriNgai people now living down in Melbourne. The duo released their first EP in 2022, and last year saw them double down with the release of their second full-length album, NYAA WA. They've already won an Upstart Award and the Archie Roach Award, and join Adam today here in sunny Hollywood California.

In this episode, we’re joined by a true icon of Australian rock: Garry Gary Beers. Best known as the founding bassist of the legendary band INXS, Garry’s musical legacy spans decades and continents. These days, he’s based in Southern California and rocking out with his new project, AshenMoon.From global superstardom with INXS to designing GGB bass guitars and launching new creative ventures, Garry shares his journey to the U.S., what keeps him inspired, and what’s next on the horizon.

Lucy is an emerging singer and songwriter based in Canberra, who joins the Cockatoo from Los Angeles on her way to SXSW in Austin Texas. Lucy shares a bit on her story from her early years and appearing on The Voice, to how she made it on the SXSW bill and the journey so far. She also wrote the artist reviews for this Cockatoo newsletter, so she shares her thoughts on the Aussies playing SXSW this year.

On today’s episode, we sit down with the brilliant songwriter and performer Ben Abraham. Known for his evocative storytelling and soulful voice, Ben has released solo albums with Secretly Canadian and Atlantic Records. His songwriting credits include massive hits like Praying by Kesha and Grow As We Go by Ben Platt, solidifying his reputation as a collaborator with some of the music industry's biggest names.With billions of streams under his belt, Ben’s career is nothing short of remarkable—but the road hasn’t always been smooth. Now embracing life as an independent artist, Ben opens up about his creative journey, the highs and lows of the music business, and what’s next for him.

This episode, Host Adam Burke sits down with the one and only Bryce Jacobs—a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and inventor who’s got a seriously impressive CV.A Sydney Conservatorium of Music grad, Bryce has worked on countless film and TV projects like Happy Feet, Australia, Gabriels, Pirates of the Caribbean, Man of Steel, and Daybreak. He’s also been part of Hans Zimmer’s legendary team at Remote Control Productions, and scored for blockbuster video games like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor. Oh, and after finding inspiration in the power of the piano to distill the magic of full-orchestral works down to a single instrument, Bryce invented the seven-octave guitar.Bryce joins us to talk all this and more from his home studio in the San Fernando Valley.

In this episode, Adam welcomes singer, songwriter, and musician Hayley Warner. Originally from Sydney, Hayley has penned songs for herself and an impressive roster of artists, including Tina Arena, Kelly Clarkson, and Katy Perry. A former Australian Idol runner-up, Hayley also gave a standout performance for The Australian Music Alliance's Breakers series in the Mojave Desert during the COVID era. Tune in to hear more about her rollercoaster journey and her continued impact on music in LA and the world.

As we return from the summer break, Adam sits down with Sophie Payten, known to the world as Gordi—a talented musician, singer, songwriter, and medical doctor from Canowindra, a small town 300km west of Sydney. Sophie released her debut album, Reservoir, in 2017 while still studying medicine and has been touring internationally ever since. Gordi frequently collaborates with other renowned artists like Troye Sivan, Ben Böhmer, and Bon Iver. Tune in to hear about her incredible journey and how she balances her dual careers in music and medicine.

In this episode, Adam welcomes Ben O'Connor, who performs as Benson, a DJ and producer originally from Melbourne. Benson has made his mark at major Australian festivals like Splendour in the Grass, Beyond the Valley, and Falls, and has recently moved to the US, already performing at Lollapalooza. He continues to write, produce, remix, and perform, and has established the label Medium Rare Recordings. Tune in to get the scoop on what's happening behind the scenes of Benson's US journey.Join host Adam Burke as he brings you the latest updates on Australians making waves in the music industry in the USA, broadcasting from Hollywood, California, on Tongva and Chumash land.