GuriNgai sisters Charlie and Miri from live-looping act Charlie Needs Braces have drawn in audiences across Australia, their energetic musical landscapes weaving together stories and language.
Charlie Woods, one half of the sister duo, is known for their work with Casey Donovan, The Teskey Brothers, The Seven Ups, and Tek Tek Ensemble.
The duo's debut album, 'Saltwater People', featured the single and video 'Daryung' (that we premiered in 2022), which was showcased on 'Rage', earning them triple j Unearthed Artists Of The Week, and was featured in the ABC documentary 'Changing Tides' as part of a NAIDOC Week special.
Their latest album, 'NYAA WA', has further expanded their reach, with music videos landing in the Top 50 for 2024 on 'Rage' and receiving editorial praise across platforms like ABC News, Spotify's Big Ancestor Energy, and Apple's FIRST.
The two piece have performed across Australia at several festivals including the Share The Spirit Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Burramatta Festival, St Kilda Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Planting Festival, Wandiligong Nut Festival, The Town Folk Festival, and Clarence Jazz Festival, as well as supporting The Teskey Brothers on their national tour with A Day On The Green January 2025.
The pair have recently released a music video for 'NYAA WA' album track 'Mussels', a song dedicated to flexing your 'muscles' and celebrating the duo's love for aquamarine life, such as 'mussels'.
Charlie wrote the lyrics whilst eating mussels on the beach and comparing muscles as she ate them, only noticing then that it's the same word, but spelled differently.
"'Mussels' is one of our favourite songs to perform live," Charlie says. "We made a very light-hearted and silly dance to the chorus and still enjoy teaching the audience the routine at our shows."
The video features the band donning colourful '80s-style workout gear, including platform sneakers, while attempting pull-ups and cardio sessions. "We loved filming the video clip and started the shoot after finding some nearby '80s style workout gear," Charlie explains.
"You can witness us trying to do pull ups and cardio workouts in platform sneakers, haha." Set to travel to Brisbane early September – fingers crossed they bring their '80s workout gear – to showcase at annual music conference BIGSOUND, we get to know Charlie and Miri.
We sound like... We are inspired by Tuneyards, Little Dragon, The B-52's, and often we categorise ourselves as alternative pop and indigenous folk. We like to call it 'lobster funk'.
Our first gig was... At a little venue that no longer exists in Naarm called Open Studio. It was a little bar and creperie on High Street, Northecote.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... Charlie had actual braces in 2020 and had eight teeth removed, so it was a big, painful process. The name was inspired by the braces and also a shoutout to her favourite Simpsons episode, 'Dental Plan'.
In the studio, we usually... Record songs using loops and field recordings. The loops are created by Charlie on her loop station, and she experiments and makes demos before recording.
The field recordings are taken from adventures at the beach and through our Country, recording bellbirds, kookaburras, waves, magpies, and other natural sounds we capture from the environment.
If we could tour with anyone... There are so many, but we love Baker Boy and Bumpy so much! We also adore Fever Ray, and their recent show is insane.
Miri went to the gig and was so inspired she found a sample pad on Facebook Marketplace, and when we were at the National Multicultural Festival in Canberra, we drove to a rural suburb and met a guy outside a garage and she now uses the pad at live shows.
Social media is... We really appreciate all the support we have on social media. However, screens are taking people away from nature and creating a disconnect overall, which is having negative impacts, particularly on young people. Cyberbullying is really full on and the internet creates a platform for trolls and misinformation.
My favourite app at the moment is... Google Translate is very helpful when travelling; we've had many conversations via the app.
To date, our most embarrassing moment was the time... Charlie once forgot she had a mic attached to her shirt and went to the toilet backstage with the mic 'live'; the listeners had a very 'live' toilet experience, haha.
Life on the road can be... We enjoy touring and as sisters it's pretty comfortable, we share outfits, keep up the laughs, and always seem to be running late for flights haha.
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains... Tequila – we love it!
The scariest scenario we've found ourselves in, was... Charlie once got locked in a shipping container at a festival on a 40-degree day; no one knew where she was.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... The B52's. It would just be so fun and a great excuse to invest in some amazing wigs like the beehive.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose? New Zealand is stunning!
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Fever Ray, that would be amazing to meet them and the band.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Kangaroo tacos, mm mmm!
When it comes to pets, are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I have a furry friend, a ginger cat called Waymond. He is 12 years old and loves chicken and hanging by the heater.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Blueberries and bananas – so good!
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Never.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Cleaning the shower sux, so much grime.
Do you have any phobias... Charlie cannot stand anyone putting their finger in her bellybutton; even the thought makes her queasy.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? 'Physical 100' is a fun show with a lot of different types of people. Otherwise, 'Alone' would be epic.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Thornbury Local has great late-night food.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Leela from 'Futurama' is one of my favourite characters; she's a legendary cyclops who has a strong high kick.
Last show you binge-watched? The latest season of 'Black Mirror' and, of course, 'White Lotus', haha.
Charlie Needs Braces 2025 Tour Dates
Tue 2 Sep - The Sound Garden @ BIGSOUND (Brisbane)Wed 3 Sep - Ric's Backyard @ BIGSOUND (Brisbane)
15-16 Nov - Train Scendence (Melbourne)
22-23 Nov - St Kilda Show Gem Festival (Melbourne)
5-7 Dec - Folk Rhythm & Life (Far North Queensland)
