BENEE Sucks: “I’ve Been Known To Watch Pimple Popping Videos”
New Zealand singer-songwriter BENEE’s had her fair share of ups and downs.
Before becoming one of NZ’s biggest artists, she played water polo at a high level as a teenager, narrowly missing out on making the national water polo trials. That absolutely sucks. On the other hand, if she was still playing water polo, maybe she wouldn’t have created hypnotic tracks like ‘Supalonely’ (which features Gus Dapperton), ‘Green Honda’ and ‘Glitter’, which would also suck. Life takes you on many different paths, and BENEE’s advice on how to handle things? “Ride the wave.”
To mark the upcoming Women’s World Cup, which is set to take place in both Australia and New Zealand, BENEE’s teamed up with the wonderful Mallrat to release ‘DO IT AGAIN’. It’s the official song of the WWC, and it’s fun and energetic. ‘DO IT AGAIN’ is exactly the type of song that’d rev you up before running onto play 90 minutes of the world game (il calco, for our Italian readers) in front of an adoring hometown crowd. Hopefully, this will play over the Sydney Olympic Park speakers after Sam Kerr scores the winning goal in the World Cup final for the Matildas. Fingers crossed.
Junkee: Cringe quote you used to live by?
I would say that at present I’m living by “ride the wave”!!
Worst advice you got and blindly followed?
I can only remember the GOOD advice I’ve been given. I don’t really like listening to people telling me what to do, so I probably wouldn’t have followed bad advice in the first place. I’m stubborn.
The worst failure you’re up for sharing, and what you learned from it?
Probably not getting into national water polo trials at age 14. I’d been recovering from a surfing injury and my confidence was way down. Not getting this chance crushed me for a while but when things like this happen, you have to learn to accept that it obviously wasn’t meant to be.
I think it made me a stronger person, to realise my worth and that I should have been pouring all my energy into my creativity. If someone doesn’t want, need or choose…if you’re not “picked” … it’s not meant to be. They don’t deserve you.
Anything you used to be wrong about?
I think I’m always catching myself out and trying to improve the way I think or act. We should never, ever stop learning.
I can’t think of anything in particular that I used to be “wrong” about but I acknowledge that we all make mistakes and I think it’s very important to call ourselves out when we’re in the wrong. I think sometimes I do just say the wrong thing though.
Embarrassing internet habit?
I confess… I’ve been known to watch pimple popping videos. Gross but fascinating. The people who get it get it.
Ideal morning routine versus actual morning routine?
Probably getting up, going to the gym… followed by a smoothie and a coffee. Chilling at home, doing some admin and then heading to the beach for a swim.
My actual routine is pretty close except going to the beach for a swim because it’s so far away from where I live in LA.
Something very off-brand for you?
Some things are better left a secret and I’ve already confessed to the videos.
Bad health decision?
Overindulgence.
What do you waste money on?
Fortnite skins. Nothing else I spend money on is a waste!
Worst procrastination habit?
Watching TikTok or YouTube… they’re such a time trap.
BENEE and Mallrat’s new track ‘DO IT AGAIN’ is out now. BENEE will also perform at the free SPRINGTIME festival on the Gold Coast on Saturday, September 2.
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Illustration credit: Matt Lauricella, @pigeonboyart