Benny Issue 07 - Autumn 2022 by bennymagazine

ISSUE 07 / AUTUMN 22

Benny

FREE

FOR LOCALS & VISITORS ALIKE

The War On Drugs

A Resurrection

Utopian Thrift

Send your senses into total overload with this psych-rock band from Philly.

The beloved foamie. Now making a re-imagined comeback.

Welcome to Utopia. Your new go-to vintage paradise.

B E N N Y S U P P LY C O . C O M . A U

CONTRIBUTORS

The information contained in Benny Magazine is

Nat alie Wabbis

given in good faith and believed to be accurate

Editor in Chief, Creative Director & Founder

at time of printing. Jess Moroney The contents of this publication are subject

Benny Eats Out

to copyright and cannot be reproduced in any shape or form without written consent from

Rosie Maidman

Studio Benny or Benny Supply & Co.

Weekend Warrior

hello@studiobenny.com.au

Jessica Koutoulas

www.bennysupplyco.com.au

Sustainable Future Series

Benny Supply & Co

Luke Foster

Central Coast, NSW

Melodious Haze

Australia Heath Crawley Tiki Picks S&P Wabbis Proofreaders Publication designed by Natalie Wabbis. Cover image by @waltloveridge

EDITORIAL

IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome

Motel Mezza

It’s been a wild ride this past year! Not only did we release Benny Magazine over a year ago, but we also took on a second venture launching into the world of apparel with Benny Threads (@bennythreads_) last May. It has been absolutely bonkers, but so much fun. And we plan on sticking around, so don’t get too sick of us just yet!

As always, we appreciate all of our supporters thus far. Whether that’s our writers, readers, followers or advertisers - you’re the absolute bomb. You’re what keeps Benny alive. If

Unwind with this Middle-Eastern delight, set in the heart of Wyong.

Dane Cameron Dane chats with us about surfing, boards and his best session in the drink.

you’d like to place an ad in a future issue of Benny, please get in contact with us via our email, website or DM us. So, now that we’re in your worthy hands, grab a coffee and a treat, and dive into Issue 07 of Benny. She’s a ripper.

Gumada Art

benny

Deep dive into the heart and mind of local artist, Chloe Webb.

Tiki Picks

Heath imerses us into two new vinyls reviews, worth the read, and the listen!

CO N TACT US h e l l o @ s t u d i o b e nny.co m . au A DVERT ISE W IT H US h e l l o @ s t u d i o b e nny.co m . au www. b e n nysu p p lyco.co m . au Cover image by @waltloveridge

Please recycle.

In st ag ra m // @ b e nnysu p p l y.co + @ b e nny t h read s _ @ s t u d i o b e nny 1

Middle-Eastern With Charm WYONG

BENNY EATS OUT

MOTEL MEZZA’S WARM AND COSY DINING EXPERIENCE IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO VISIT HEADING INTO THE COOLER MONTHS. ENJOY A GLASS OF RED OR DECADENT COCKTAIL AND SOAK UP THE AMBIANCE AFTER A LONG DAY. SOUNDS GOOD, RIGHT? This quaint restaurant has years of historic charm seeped into its walls that has cleverly been used to amplify its overall mystique. The old bank vault lies tucked away (safe door included) lined with lush green velvet, offering a unique dining experience like no other, and the chic outlay of the bar and central dining only enhances this charm further. With the atmosphere this amazing, the food and beverages are divine! If you want an authentic Middle-Eastern style meal, this is the place for you. Dips, small dishes, salads and big plates, honestly, the choice is yours. Cocktail lovers unite! The Mezza Twists list is unique and super tasty and don’t worry, the trusty classics are there too. The wine and beer choices are also beautifully selected, and the wonderful staff will always share their expertise willingly. So if you can’t choose, their recommendations will put you in the right direction. The menu is mouth-wateringly good, and the flavours will dance on your tongue. A fail-safe start is the Hummus and Baba Ghanoush, and you should fight with people to make sure you always get some Cheese Sambousek - YUM! The Lamb Koftas are so juicy and the flavour of the Stuffed Eggplant is next level. Honestly, there is no wrong choice here. Better yet, “Choose Your Own Banquet” where they cater the size of the dishes to the number of people at your table and the food adventure begins. Don’t worry if you can’t choose, there are set options available too. Even better, if you want to enjoy all of this from the comfort of your own home, you can! You can order online or download the app and have it laid at your fingertips ready for pick up. Mezza is veggie friendly, carnivore friendly and dietary requirement friendly, so there’s nothing holding you back! Book yourself a table through their website. It’s as easy as that. A midweek dinner is on offer Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm-9pm, Friday offers you dinner from 4pm-11pm and Saturday and Sunday you can book a nice, boozy lunch from 12pm-3pm or stick with the dinner plans until 11pm (Saturday) or 9pm (Sunday). Look at those options! Get yourself a spot now.

Motel Mezza $$ 98 Pacific Hwy, Wyong NSW

Dane Cameron Q&A

What’s your home break? Forresters Beach.

What’s your go to wax? There’s only one, Sex Wax.

Where is your favourite place to surf in Australia? Many places come to mind, however, surfing at home is my favourite place. There are many reasons why, the waves, the camaraderie in our tight-knit community, and countless stand-out sessions. Above all, it’s the place that has shaped my surfing into what it is today.

On a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 being the most boring thing ever, how boring is watching the WSL surf ranch event? I’m going to have to be brutally honest. In light of the recent Billabong Pipe Masters event in Hawaii, which was one of the best competitions as a spectator to date, I’m going to have to say one. Don’t get me wrong, the technology behind wave pools is unbelievable, let

Do you remember your first wave? I can’t remember the first, although I remember being on holiday with my family and Dad pushing me into a perfect peeling right-hander while everyone watched on from the shore. Mum even snapped a photo that I still have to this day. I can still feel the excitement and stoke of that wave. I was a pretty chuffed grommet walking up the beach after that one.

alone the surfing that is thrown down in them, although surfing competitively in a controlled environment isn’t entertaining to me.

What board are you currently riding? I’ve been fortunate to begin riding for SMAC Surfboards under Jamie Byrne designs, which has allowed me to expand my understanding of surfboard design. I have been riding a 5’10 x 19 ¼ x 2 ½, wave pool model, which has been one of the best boards I have ever ridden. Jamie has now taken this design and implemented it into my boards for this year, which I’m incredibly excited about. You really can’t beat the surfer shaper relationship, as it allows you to refine your equipment and keep your surfing electric. @smac_surfboard / @jbsurfboarddesign Where is your favourite destination for a surf trip overseas? Indonesia comes straight to mind. It’s where I’ve spent the most time surfing overseas, while travelling with good friends, and surfing my brains out. The waves are unbelievable, the culture is welcoming, and even amongst the chaos, it’s a place where time always seems to stand still. Wave of your life? I’ve had some mesmerising waves that have left me in complete awe, although I’m still searching for ‘the one.’ That’s what I love most about the search. It’s a lifelong journey. Who is your biggest mentor? My Dad. He taught me the significance of the ocean, the friendships, and the unforgettable experiences it creates. He was the one that planted the seed and ignited the passion I have for surfing to this day.

What was the best session you’ve ever had – where was the session, and what made it the best? That’s a tough one as countless sessions come to mind. It would have to be surfing at Grajagan at dusk, both one of the most rugged and magical places I have ever been. Situated on the edge of the jungle, where the land meets the sea, a picture-perfect left grinds down the entire length of the reef. Surfing with some of your best mates, trading off perfect corduroy lines, and looking at one another like it’s not real life, all as the sun disappears into the horizon before you stumble across the reef in the dark only to do it all again the next day. It’s sessions like this that leave you in an unforgettable state of awe. Do you have any tips for beginners? From my experience in the surf industry, having the right size board is fundamental for any beginner. You want to make surfing easy and fun! If you have a board that isn’t right for you, you will struggle to catch waves, and if you’re not catching waves, you’re not having fun. Foam surfboards are always the best place to start, don’t be afraid to jump into a session at your local surf school or drop in to a local surf shop to speak to someone experienced.

Instagram // @danecameron_

If you know someone who would be a great candidate for our next Q&A, please get in touch with us.

RAPID FIRE - THIS OR THAT? 1, 2 or 3 fins? Thruster. It’s the most versatile. Natural or goofy? Goofy. High or low tide? Low. Barrels or airs? Barrels are the ultimate. Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise at home, although sunset in Indonesia is something special. Longboard or shortboard? Shortboard. 3–4ft or 8–10ft? Three to four, as it’s what we surf daily. Although pushing myself in heavier surf is the next goal, especially once we can travel. Beachie or point break? Reef break.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE SERIES

Utopian Thrift BELMONT NORTH, NSW

I BET ON YOUR NEXT TRIP TO NEWCASTLE ALONG THE OLD PACIFIC HIGHWAY THAT HUGS THE COASTLINE, AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH THE PICNIC-PERFECT VILLAGE OF BELMONT, A RICH RETRO STRIPE WILL CATCH YOUR EYE.

Inside this emblazoned building lies Utopian Thrift – an all absorbing, joyous cacophony of colour, thrift, funk and style – a boutique with a strong sentiment for relics of a bygone age. You’ll find your grandma’s bedside table of trinkets, 70’s kitchenware, retro furnishings and a curation of threads from all respectable eras. Founding business partners and long time friends Ana Koutoulas and Elly Connolly are bound by an almost anarchic take on fashion that is driven by self expression and a love of all things second-hand. Aficionados of vintage, Ana and Elly gift every Utopian Thrift visitor with a warmth and energy that springs from their genuine passion for effortless, individual style.

www.utopianthrift.com.au Instagram// @utopianthriftstore

Utopian Thrift is the perfect pit stop for the senses. She is the ultimate oasis of vintage gold, enroute to Newcastle. So next time you’re after some new threads, consider buying second-hand; do that good thing.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL

Shop the range online at bennysupplyco.com.au

ENJOY 10% OFF SITEWIDE WITH CODE: BENNYMAG10 *One use per customer. Valid ‘til 05/22 8

Instagram // @bennythreads_

Gumada BLUE HAVEN, NSW

Where did you learn to do what you do? Art began to speak to me the loudest when I was in a pretty dark place mentally. It was 2016 and at the time I was giving it a red hot crack in Artist Management. The business end of the music industry is a notoriously tricky place to navigate when you’re a creative being, holding and fronting the creative career of another. I frothed music and the artists I was representing, but found it really hard to be creative within myself and give myself that freedom when I was constantly having to show up beast mode and business minded. I suppressed and squashed that part of myself that longed to create and it really didn’t end well for me. I was deeply depressed and unfulfilled, working myself into the ground in a way that wasn’t actually aligned with who I was at all. I was completely disconnected.

Who are you and what do you do? I’m Chloe, a Katoomba born Booroobergonal woman of the Dharug Nation. Currently living and creating on the shores of Guringai / Darkinjung land. I create digital illustrations inspired by culture and country, guided by spirit. How long have you been a creative for? In some way or another, always. But art for me became something I embodied and openly claimed around 2016. What is your favourite thing about what you do? How I never really know what I’m doing… but how guided and aligned it feels anyway. Art gives me a freedom and permission to be sort of lost and found all at once. What environment do you like to work in most? As long as I find some stillness and connection in nature before hand, I can pretty much work anywhere. And that’s the beauty of digital illustration… most works begin at my desk and then are finished wherever the lightning strikes. There’s quite a few I can remember finishing while smashing the Hawaiian Toastie at Island Time while living in Terrigal. How has your work changed over time? It’s such an extension of myself it’s only natural it grows with me. But I do feel what I’m creating now is the most aligned it has felt and that culture will always have its ingrained place in my art.

So when I finally realised, I left behind what wasn’t working for me. Art spoke in volumes and I started creating illustrations that were reflective of the journey I was on. There was a strong message of mental health awareness to my work then and I had some really awesome opportunities! I did my first show and released some prints under the name The Feels Club. My art is such a natural extension of myself, so I think for me what I create will always be reflective of my journey. In 2020 after spending years healing, mending and reconnecting to my Indigenous culture… naturally the next phase was to move away from The Feels Club and step into Gumada. I let it marinate for a quite some time before I jumped in. There was a knowingness that it couldn’t be rushed… that I had to embrace it fully before I could launch. That day came in April 2021, I woke up greeted by a flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos (my spirit bird) and just felt a whole bodied “YES… now is the time” Gumada is the Dharug word for Spirit. Spirit is the essence of all that I am and all that I do. Who/what inspires you and your work? The cyclic rhythms of nature and the rich history and spirit of the land. The wisdom of the old ones and the resilience of my First Nations brothers and sisters. What’s the most rewarding aspect about your work? Getting to tell the stories and strength of my people. Contributing to keeping culture alive and allowing myself the opportunity to be who I am. What piece are you most proud of? Wulan Binyang (rain bird) has a particularly special place in my heart.

CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT

Do you do custom pieces? I recently started offering custom Acknowledgements of Country for people’s homes and businesses… And people have really taken to the idea! Which is so awesome, it fills my heart to see people wanting to acknowledge traditional owners of the land of which they live and work upon. Do you have any one who helps you out or are you a Lone Ranger? Physically, a Lone Ranger. Spiritually, guided by many. Where do you hope your creative future takes you? Deeper into my connection with culture… for a long time my mobs language and lore was somewhat lost. But there has been a lot of healing and courage… and Dharug is as alive now as it ever was. Ideally I just want to wake up with ease knowing I’m allowing myself to be who I am. Can you share any advice for aspiring creatives? Explore… Chase it down the rabbit hole. Get lost in it… Get found in it.

You can support Chloe and her work here: www.gumada.com Instagram // @gumada.art

LET’S DO SOME GUIDED MEDITATION. BREATHE IN… BREATHE OUT… AND NOW TAKE YOURSELF BACK TO YOUR FIRST SURFBOARD.

No, not the one that you first bought with actual money, but the one you learned to surf on. The one that got handed down to you, that you braved your first waves on and got you hooked in the first place. Perhaps it was your Dad’s old old shortboard. Slightly yellowed with a dodgy paint job done by yourself. Little to no float, no forgiveness when it hit you on the head, and a slightly menacing ‘learn to surf or else’ vibe about it.

WEEKEND WARRIOR

The Resurrection of the Holy Foamie

Or maybe you were lucky enough to learn on a foamie. Let’s picture it together… about 12 inches thick and as noodly as.. well.. a pool noodle. It probably had those plastic screws that held the fins in. Always a little bit longer than the board was thick and about as good at holding in fins as a toddler would be at holding a tray of takeaway coffee. And usually resulted in the same amount of tears. It was also a ghastly colour wasn’t it? Just to make sure everyone else on the break knew that you were a learner and could be snaked. And then of course it comes to learning to turn. ‘What are turns?’ your fluorescent hunk of top-quality polystyrene would ask. It would never find out. Designed purely for out-racing even the smallest white-wash, these machines of surfing prowess have stocked learn-to-surf camps and Balinese beach breaks for decades. However, these boards we love to hate have made a resurgence and it’s looking good. >>

IMAGES SUPPLIED BY @SPOOKEDKOOKS

Let’s continue our meditation. Now turn your mind to your dream surfboard. Perhaps you own it already or maybe she’s still a pipe dream. Now picture that board in a version that doesn’t snap under a heavy shorey. In a version that won’t hospitalise you when it clatters you across the head. In a version that little man can learn to surf on too. Thankfully, the world of foam surfboards has taken a heaped tablespoon of inspiration from the world of actual surfboards. Things like fin boxes, stringers, epoxy cores and, most notably, rails, have all been thrown in the pot alongside attractive colourways and pro surfer’s initials. This mix is then baked to produce a batch of rideable, turnable and even duckdivable foam boards that should be a staple in any self-respecting garage quiver, whether there’s a learner in the family or not. Of course, if you are the learner in the family then this gives you racks and racks of choice when it comes to picking your first weapon. This isn’t always a good thing though, so definitely do your research and remember that volume is king when you’re starting out. Look for a nice round nose if you’re learning somewhere mellow like Terrigal or Umina. Big pro tips… 1. NEVER leave your foamie out in the sun or in a hot car for too long. She’ll be cooked in more ways than one. 2. Learning surf etiquette before you hit the water will save you heaps of embarrassing moments and will protect your dome and others’ around you. For those looking to tuck into a few closeouts in the morning and then teach little Jimmy in the afternoon then look no further than the fleet on offer from the likes of Mick Fanning, Hayden Shapes, Spooked Kooks and Mark Richards amongst others. We’re a long way from log-land now!

W W W . B E N N Y S U P P LY C O . C O M . A U

MELODIOUS HAZE

The War On Drugs ALBUM REVIEW

I Don’t Live Here Anymore 2021

2021 was a slow year on a number of fronts, particularly musically, but one of the sonic highlights presented itself late with the fourth album from U.S guitar rock band The War On Drugs. For those of you new to TWOD, picture yourself in a redgum forest with sun flickering through the massive canopy above, whilst you are down at ground level running around in circles, happily of course, as money starts falling from the sky. It’s a full body joyous experience that immerses you in guitar laden tracks warping between overlapping riff after riff as the senses are sent in to total overload. I Don’t Live Here Anymore embodies all the goodness of TWOD previous releases, perhaps a true highlight or two short of our high expectations, but nonetheless a great florescent piece of what we have come to love from this band. There are catch as hell hooks, kooky synth bites and some weird ass horns including some of that deep down bass saxophone. Who doesn’t love bass sax! Top tracks are undoubtedly Harmonia’s Dream and I Don’t Live Here Anymore; these songs showcase a slightly new flair on the brilliance of front man Adam Granduciel’s sleek repertoire. The tracks have builds and crescendos, with each moment taking you on a journey and giving you that moment of perspective away from whatever life might be throwing at you. This may not be the lads best work, but it sure is an upshot on some of the other things 2021 threw at us! 7/10.

VINYL

Tiki Picks

BIG THIEF D R AG O N N E W WA R M M O U N TA I N I B E L I E V E I N YO U 4AD, 2022

Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You feels like curry night at your best friends’ share house, jamming around the fire. Only your best friends are a cultured variety of feathered and furry woodland creatures and the house is more like a cosy, glowing fort deep beneath the roots of a magical willow tree. Everyone knows exactly what to play to bring a smiling tear of familiarity and true understanding to each other’s eye. Badger’s never played his wooden double bass better and Owl truly does have the unconventional voice of an angel. The curry is more likely roasted chestnuts and cream, but that’s beside the point. Each track further develops upon BT’s already wholesome and honest warmth. Each player running freer with experimentation than before; each exploring their own unique and colourful musical personalities ecstatically, still for the greater good of the joyous and harmonious whole.

Tiki Picks composed by Heath Crawley of Tiki La La. Shop the Vinyl now – www.tikilala.com.au

Instagram// @tiki.la.la

The point is… there is no Dragon here. He wasn’t invited. The fire, however, is real.

T Y L E R , T H E C R E AT O R C A L L M E I F YO U G E T LO ST COLUMBIA RECORDS, 2021

Our journey begins at the lo-fi gate of early 2000s hip hop “mix-tape” warble and takes an odd turn from the foyer. Over the jazzy tiled soul kitchen floor, down the haunted house halls of Gravediggaz grime and back for another loop of wow and flutter, via the garden path of indietronica. Call Me If You Get Lost is more a magnificently sprawling, multi personality polaroid than it is a direct-route road map of rap. And, although he did offer, and at times the landscape is pretty disorienting, it’s unlikely anyone will call for directions out of here. This is Tyler’s second LP to debut at number 1 on the US Billboard 200 and with a trailblazing cast of contributors including DJ Drama, Pharrell Williams and Jamie XX in on the outing, all you need do is lace up and enjoy the view. You’re in good hands. Catch Tyler, the Creator headlining Splendour In The Grass ’22!!! 17