The Cockatoo Australian Music Alliance

In this episode of The Cockatoo, your host Adam Burke dives deep into the musical journey of Chris O'Ryan, better known as TEK - a highly respected sound engineer, mixer, and producer. Originally hailing from Melbourne and now based in Los Angeles, Tek's story is one of perseverance and talent. Since arriving in the US in 2002 as an unpaid intern, he has risen to become one of the world's foremost vocal producers.
Tek's impressive portfolio and work ethic earned him a Grammy for engineering Mary J Blige's Groundbreaking R&B album, Growing Pains, with six further Grammy nominations soon to follow. Boasting collaborations with music legends such as Justin Bieber, Alan Walker, Usher, Katy Perry, Ciara, David Guetta, Mariah Carey, Frank Ocean, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Celine Dion, TEK shows no signs of slowing down. 

Today, we're thrilled to be joined by Campbell Burns, the creative force behind Vacations, a band that has been turning heads since its inception in 2015 in the coastal city of Newcastle, NSW.


With over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone and their latest studio album, "No Place Like Home," hitting the airwaves, Vacations is a force to be reckoned with. Join us as we embark on a journey through the stories behind the music as Campbell offers insights into the band's evolution and the challenges they faced as they carved out a space in the competitive landscape of a global music scene.

Host Adam Burke chats with singer, songwriter Zoe Randall, who together with Steve Hassett make up the folk duo Luluc.  We learn how the duo managed to keep their connections to Australia, while forging a successful US career that has included signing to Sub Pop, sharing stages and studios with American folk rock royalty, and participating in some uniquely American traditions such as playing NPR's Tiny Desk and performing at the Lincoln Center.

In today's installment of The Cockatoo, host Adam Burke chats with singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and all-around music industry powerhouse Darren Cordeux. From leading the iconic band Kisschasy to his latest LA venture, Daz & the Demons, Darren's musical journey is a tale of resilience and reinvention.
Join us as we uncover the twists and turns of Darren's trans-Pacific adventure, from the early hits of the 2000s to the exciting challenges of forging a new path in LA.

In today's installment, your host Adam Burke engages in a lively conversation with another phenomenal homegrown artist manager, the incomparable Kate Cudbertson. They delve into Kate's daring leap from her hometown of Adelaide to the bustling streets of New York City, where she embarked on her journey in the music industry. From managing FKJ's whirlwind career to navigating the vibrant music scenes on both coasts of the United States, Kate shares her remarkable experiences and insights. 

Tune in as she recounts the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected moments that have shaped her path from hospitality worker to managing the careers of internationally acclaimed musicians.

In our third episode,  host Adam Burke chats with Indigenous Australian producer Sam Cook. They get into Sam's beginnings as a Nyikina woman growing up in Broome and working as an arts professional in Australia before moving to LA, where she now produces via her company Kiss My Blak Arts, is the APRA-AMCOS LA rep, and is yet to see a burning palm tree. 🌴

For the full transcript, as well as up to date information on all things Aus in the USA, visit The Cockatoo here.