On the very first episode of 2026. Takee had a chat with Kaiyah Mercedes.

Kaiyah is a rising force in Melbourne’s indie music scene, bringing raw emotion and poetic storytelling to the forefront. At just 18 years old, this LGBTQIA+ artist has already carved out a distinct sound, blending indie-pop with rock influences. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD at 15, Kaiyah channels their experiences into deeply introspective songwriting, offering a powerful lens into self-discovery and identity.

Their debut album Hindsight introduced audiences to their heartfelt lyricism, while their sophomore release Trying To Hate You showcased a cinematic evolution in sound. Now, with their latest single MANIC!!!, Kaiyah embraces a grittier, more untamed energy, proving their versatility as an artist.

Beyond the music, Kaiyah is a fierce advocate for authenticity, curating live performances that celebrate queer and neurodivergent voices. Their shows are more than concerts—they’re immersive experiences, inviting audiences into a world of unfiltered emotion and electric energy.

With a growing fanbase and a fearless approach to artistry, Kaiyah Mercedes is not just making music—they’re making waves. Keep an eye on this powerhouse as they continue to redefine indie music on their own terms.

On the very first episode of 2026. Takee had a chat with Kaiyah Mercedes.
Kaiyah is a rising force in Melbourne&rsquo;s indie music scene, bringing raw emotion and poetic storytelling to the forefront. At just 18 years old, this LGBTQIA+ artist has already carved out a distinct sound, blending indie-pop with rock influences. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD at 15, Kaiyah channels their experiences into deeply introspective songwriting, offering a powerful lens into self-discovery and identity.
Their debut album&nbsp;Hindsight&nbsp;introduced audiences to their heartfelt lyricism, while their sophomore release&nbsp;Trying To Hate You&nbsp;showcased a cinematic evolution in sound. Now, with their latest single&nbsp;MANIC!!!, Kaiyah embraces a grittier, more untamed energy, proving their versatility as an artist.
Beyond the music, Kaiyah is a fierce advocate for authenticity, curating live performances that celebrate queer and neurodivergent voices. Their shows are more than concerts&mdash;they&rsquo;re immersive experiences, inviting audiences into a world of unfiltered emotion and electric energy.
With a growing fanbase and a fearless approach to artistry, Kaiyah Mercedes is not just making music&mdash;they&rsquo;re making waves. Keep an eye on this powerhouse as they continue to redefine indie music on their own terms.

The Spotlight takes listeners on an hour-long deep-dive, shining a light on the individuals who power the creative industries - from musicians, producers and performers to managers, curators, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Offering an in-depth conversation that uncovers the real stories, challenges and triumphs that define a creative journey.

The Spotlight takes listeners on an hour-long deep-dive, shining a light on the individuals who power the creative industries - from musicians, producers and performers to managers, curators, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Offering an in-depth conversation that uncovers the real stories, challenges and triumphs that define a creative journey.

The Spotlight

Kaiyah Mercedes | The Spotlight with Takee

On the final episode of 2025, Takee had a chat with Lucinda from Displaced Records, who joined him remotely all the way from France on her 22nd birthday!

Listen and find out all about Lucinda’s incredible journey, how displaced records came to be, and maybe even a sneak peak of Takee playing 22 to celebrate Lucinda's birthday.

Lucinda Drabsch is an alt pop musician based in Naarm/Melbourne and most known as the founder of the independent label Displaced Records. Launched in October 2024, the label pays homage to Drabsch’s experience relocating to Melbourne in 2022 after experiencing limited musical opportunities in her hometown of Canberra. Displaced Records focuses on supporting young and relocated artists by creating spaces to develop industry experience and skills. Since its launch, Displaced Records has debuted multiple bands and artists, launched a monthly residency at the renowned Naarm venue, Bar Open and partnered with many community organisations to develop and highlight the next generation of independent artists in Melbourne.

On the final episode of 2025, Takee had a chat with Lucinda from Displaced Records, who joined him remotely all the way from France on her 22nd birthday!
Listen and find out all about Lucinda&rsquo;s incredible journey, how displaced records came to be, and maybe even a sneak peak of Takee playing 22 to celebrate Lucinda's birthday.
Lucinda Drabsch is an alt pop musician based in Naarm/Melbourne and most known as the founder of the independent label Displaced Records. Launched in October 2024, the label pays homage to Drabsch&rsquo;s experience relocating to Melbourne in 2022 after experiencing limited musical opportunities in her hometown of Canberra. Displaced Records focuses on supporting young and relocated artists by creating spaces to develop industry experience and skills. Since its launch, Displaced Records has debuted multiple bands and artists, launched a monthly residency at the renowned Naarm venue, Bar Open and partnered with many community organisations to develop and highlight the next generation of independent artists in Melbourne.

Lucinda Drabsch of Displaced Records | The Spotlight with Takee

On the second episode of the 2025/26 summer seasonal, Takee sat down with Atlanta-based indie artist Varun Sheel to discuss all things music, and his newly founded project: The Elephant Room.

Varun Sheel is a boston native with rich indian roots, and is also the founder and CEO the Elephant Room. He grew up in a musically rich household, influenced by both Western and Bollywood music. His father, a classical Hindustani vocalist, began teaching Varun the basics of raags, tune maintenance, and breathing techniques at a young age.

Varun’s musical journey took off when he received his first guitar as a child and started learning from YouTube, studying virtuosos like Paul Gilbert and Buckethead. In high school, Varun formed his first band, “Beyond Boundaries,” and later, in college, another band, “Solara.” They released multiple EPs and played local shows, with Varun in a variety of roles such as lead vocalist, songwriter and lead guitarist.

While pursuing a degree in Neuroscience, Varun blended his contemporary style of songwriting with his eastern influences.

 During the COVID-19 pandemic, he deepened his craft by integrating Hindustani raags and Bollywood visuals with Western music theory. After years of honing his craft, Varun is now ready to share his latest work, promising to transport listeners with his evocative melodies and storytelling.

Varun has also launched an independent artist accelerator program called ‘the elephant room,’ designed to equip artists with everything they need to build sustainable, label-free music careers. It’s a year-long program based in Atlanta (USA) that combines a K-pop–style skill camp with business and industry training.

Each artist develops and releases a single through the program, and gets $100K invested into marketing that release to kickstart their career.

The first cohort of 6 begins in June, and applications are rolling until spots fill or the deadline hits, but waitlisted artists get early access when applications officially open.

Find out more here:

https://www.theelephantroomgroup.com/

On the second episode of the 2025/26 summer seasonal, Takee sat down with Atlanta-based indie artist Varun Sheel to discuss all things music, and his newly founded project: The Elephant Room.
Varun Sheel is a boston native with rich indian roots, and is also the founder and CEO the Elephant Room. He grew up in a musically rich household, influenced by both Western and Bollywood music. His father, a classical Hindustani vocalist, began teaching Varun the basics of raags, tune maintenance, and breathing techniques at a young age.
Varun&rsquo;s musical journey took off when he received his first guitar as a child and started learning from YouTube, studying virtuosos like Paul Gilbert and Buckethead. In high school, Varun formed his first band, &ldquo;Beyond Boundaries,&rdquo; and later, in college, another band, &ldquo;Solara.&rdquo; They released multiple EPs and played local shows, with Varun in a variety of roles such as lead vocalist, songwriter and lead guitarist.
While pursuing a degree in Neuroscience, Varun blended his contemporary style of songwriting with his eastern influences.
&nbsp;During the COVID-19 pandemic, he deepened his craft by integrating Hindustani raags and Bollywood visuals with Western music theory. After years of honing his craft, Varun is now ready to share his latest work, promising to transport listeners with his evocative melodies and storytelling.
Varun has also launched an independent artist accelerator program called &lsquo;the elephant room,&rsquo; designed to equip artists with everything they need to build sustainable, label-free music careers. It&rsquo;s a year-long program based in Atlanta (USA) that combines a K-pop&ndash;style skill camp with business and industry training.
Each artist develops and releases a single through the program, and gets $100K invested into marketing that release to kickstart their career.
The first cohort of 6 begins in June, and applications are rolling until spots fill or the deadline hits, but waitlisted artists get early access when applications officially open.
Find out more here:
https://www.theelephantroomgroup.com/

Varun Sheel of The Elephant Room | The Spotlight with Takee

On the very first episode of the 2025/26 summer seasonal, Takee sat down with Dr. John Martin Cass of JMC Academy, to discuss all things to do with creative education, his journey that led to the success of the institution and how they continue to empower emerging artists and creatives.

Martin founded JMC Academy in 1982 and has remained staunchly dedicated to lifting the quality of education and training in the Creative Industries.  Martin launched Australia’s first ever accredited courses in Audio Engineering (1991), Multimedia (1996), and Digital Television (2000) in an industry still relatively new to the opportunities and prospects of a Creatively-driven multi-media explosion within an environment traditionally.

Martin is or has been a member of multiple accreditation and advisory panels across the higher education, vocational training, creative industries and philanthropic sectors including: 
Chair Acpet 2010-2016
Acpet NSW 2001 benchmarking sub-committee 
Acpet NSW 2003 higher Education sub-committee.
VETAB accreditation panels of various private providers and TAFE.
CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music and Entertainment industry Training Packages.
CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music Industry competency standards.
Various Arts Training NSW advisory panels 
The curriculum advisory panel for the Graduate Diploma in Design Science (Audio), Sydney University Faculty of Architecture.
AUSMUSIC education advisory panels  
Australian Contemporary Music Institute ACMI panel 
Papers and Seminars
Delivery of “Innovation and Creativity – sunk without a trace” paper at the 2006 National Acpet conference. 
Opening address at the International Association for the Study of Popular Music Conference 2006
Mater Dei Foundation Committee member (Fundraising for children with disabilities)
Presented documentation to the Federal inquiry into the future opportunities for Australia’s film, animation special effects and electronics games industries. July 2003

Qualifications:
PhD.I (University of New England)
Masters in Recording Arts, Macquarie University
Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace training

On the very first episode of the 2025/26 summer seasonal, Takee sat down with Dr. John Martin Cass of JMC Academy, to discuss all things to do with creative education, his journey that led to the success of the institution and how they continue to empower emerging artists and creatives.
Martin founded JMC Academy in 1982 and has remained staunchly dedicated to lifting the quality of education and training in the Creative Industries.&nbsp; Martin launched Australia&rsquo;s first ever accredited courses in Audio Engineering (1991), Multimedia (1996), and Digital Television (2000) in an industry still relatively new to the opportunities and prospects of a Creatively-driven multi-media explosion within an environment traditionally.
Martin is or has been a member of multiple accreditation and advisory panels across the higher education, vocational training, creative industries and philanthropic sectors including:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Chair Acpet 2010-2016</li>
<li>Acpet NSW 2001 benchmarking sub-committee&nbsp;</li>
<li>Acpet NSW 2003 higher Education sub-committee.</li>
<li>VETAB accreditation panels of various private providers and TAFE.</li>
<li>CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music and Entertainment industry Training Packages.</li>
<li>CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music Industry competency standards.</li>
<li>Various Arts Training NSW advisory panels&nbsp;</li>
<li>The curriculum advisory panel for the Graduate Diploma in Design Science (Audio), Sydney University Faculty of Architecture.</li>
<li>AUSMUSIC education advisory panels&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Australian Contemporary Music Institute ACMI panel&nbsp;</li>
<li>Papers and Seminars</li>
<li>Delivery of &ldquo;Innovation and Creativity &ndash; sunk without a trace&rdquo; paper at the 2006 National Acpet conference.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Opening address at the International Association for the Study of Popular Music Conference 2006</li>
<li>Mater Dei Foundation Committee member (Fundraising for children with disabilities)</li>
<li>Presented documentation to the Federal inquiry into the future opportunities for Australia&rsquo;s film, animation special effects and electronics games industries. July 2003</li>
</ul>
Qualifications:
<ul>
<li>PhD.I (University of New England)</li>
<li>Masters in Recording Arts, Macquarie University</li>
<li>Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace training</li>
</ul>

Kaiyah Mercedes | The Spotlight with Takee

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