EMERGING ARTIST - BENNY TIPENE - Massive Magazine

MAY 2012 - ISSUE 0421PALMERSTON NORTHEDITORIALIt’s nearing the end of semester1, which means two things: winteris approaching at lightning speed,and exams will soon be upon us.Luckily, this month we have somegreat articles that will help withboth of those dilemmas.If the weather is confining you toyour flannelette PJ’s and hotwaterbottle, we have you covered withthe latest events that will makeyou want to abandon your winterwoolies and take Palmy by storm(pun intended).We also have two brand newcolumns: Jacob Lilly brings youthe latest music reviews, and ourtop secret sex columnist shares herexperiences of public sex.When your brain needs a breakfrom all the cramming for exams,we have a selection of poetry fromthe current Writer-in-Residence,Johanna Aitchison, and aninterview with Benny Tipene.If this is your first-ever attemptat exams, this website has somegreat tips: http://owll.massey.ac.nz/tests-and-exams.phpGood luck for your exams!Yvette Morrissey,MASSIVE Palmerston North ReporterCAMPUS REPORTERYvette Morrisseyyvette@massivemagazine.org.nzDESIGN, LAYOUT & ART DIRECTIONCameron Corneliusallstylenotalent@gmail.com04 801 5799 ext 62064ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP MANAGERJacob Webbadvertising@mawsa.org.nz04 801 5799 ext 62069CONTRIBUTORSJacob Lilley, Yvette Morrisey, Leila Rauzi,Anonymous Anne, Matt ShandEMERGING ARTIST - BENNY TIPENEAfter returning from a stintliving and travelling throughthe UK and Europe, 22-yearoldBenny Tipene found himselfback at square one. Inside hisparents house on the outskirts ofPalmerston North where boredombegan to set in, so he played a lotof guitar. What resulted fromthese ‘plucking’ sessions weretwo great demos, a tour throughflats in the city among numerousperformances and his song ‘FairyLights’ reaching number one onRadio Control. If you’re a fan ofacoustic music he is worth havinga listen to as an up and comingartist in New Zealand music.MASSIVE Magazine recently satdown for a chat with Benny abouthis latest work as a solo acousticartist and his plans for his musicin the future.Having been in the wellknown Palmerston North groupThe Nerines who had gone onhiatus upon his departure, Bennyis not shy about creating andperforming music. This projectis a bit different though, “When Iwent over I didn’t want to not playguitar for six months,” he says. “SoI got a small, portable guitar thatwas only 2 kilograms so it went inthe cabin as travel luggage playingthat for six months, you canonly really write around 12 fretsand it’s really just picking andchords based.” This instrumentswap from the standard electricguitar he contributed “licks andriffs” to The Nerines with hasseen him instead create acousticsongs in a simple acoustic popmeets indie folk style, influencedby John Mayer, Avalanche City,Irish Jigs (I went to Ireland andmucked around with some chordsfrom there and stuff), Bob Dylan,Damian Rice, Jeff Buckley, BonIver and Mumford & Sons amongothers.Benny’s two demos havealready been released for freedownload. Upon releasing thefirst demo he came up with an ideato spread some hype surroundinghis music. “The acutestic ideacame from when Dave Baxterplayed as Avalanche City in myfriend’s flat. I saw that there werefairylights on the wall and stuff.I was like, wow! This is such anice environment, everyone’sjust chilling out on pillows andpeople were having cups of tea,there were biscuits and food andstuff. It was kind of a differentthing to happen in PalmerstonNorth. It was intimate for theartists, people actually listened tothe music.” The “Acutestic PhlatsTour” saw Benny organise showsat four of his friend’s flats playingwith other acoustic artists withfree entry, each show had around50 people turn up, often too manyto fit inside.Benny plans to extend theconcept to other cities. Thereare also plans for another demorecorded in a friends bedroomstudio like the previous two. Thenthe plan to make a temporarystudio at his house where he andhis friends Dave and Cam plan tocollaborate, recording songs withthe addition of drums, trumpets,violins, melodicas and otherinstruments for an EP. Havingachieved so much in only a fewmonths you can expect to hear alot from Benny in the future. Youcan get on to the music already forfree download and keep up withwhat he is up to by looking upbennytipene.bandcamp.com orfacebook.com/bennytipene.Jacob Lileywww.massivemagazine.org.nz/palmerstonnorth01

NEWSTHE CONTROL ROOM…HERE IS A SELECTIONOF JOHANNAAITCHISON’S POETRY:MUSA TO HOST AGMNew Zealand Music Month.You know the name, you knowthe logo, but do you know themusic?Each May, New Zealand musicfans around the country aretreated to an array of local artistsgetting increased airplay, releasingnew material, and playing liveshows up and down the country.Entering the 2012 edition of NewZealand Music Month, it is fair tosay that the New Zealand MusicCommission have done a fantasticjob of bringing Kiwi tunes tothe people.Seeing the likes of The Nakedand Famous touring the globeand playing to thousands ofdelirious fans at sold out festivalsacross Europe, and witnessingthe sudden global phenomenonthat is Kimbra, it is clear thatthe combined efforts of the NewZealand Music Commission,assorted music labels, industryinsiders, and media outlets arecoming to fruition in a spectacularmanner.Recommendations from theControl Room: The Eversons –Summer FeelingThe Eversons are a band whichyou may have seen performingtheir distinct style of guitarpop in numerous shows in theirhometown Wellington. You alsomay have seen them play almosta whole set at an Ada St houseparty in Palmerston North (prenoise-control) or on one of theirvisits to Auckland. The group’shilarious EP has been thrashedon student radio in light of itswonderful, relatable humour andbrilliant musicianship. The recentlyreleased ‘Summer Feeling’LP in digital download, compactdisc and a pretty green vinylform will be no exception. Thelyrical debate between vocalistsis a highlight of the band’ssongs. Topics mooted includeMarriage, the life of a Bachelor ofArts student and stalking amongothers. These hilarious themesare all brought forward in anuplifting delivery with a BeachBoys meets indie bands such asPavement feel. The album hasa good flow and maintains highquality of songs throughout..AITCHISON KICKS OFFWRITERS READThe 2012 Writers Read Serieskicked off on 27 April, withMassey’s Johanna Aitchisonsharing a selection of her poetry.It was held at the PalmerstonNorth City library on a fittinglydreary and stormy night.Jo described the evening, whichwas attended by about 30 people,as “playful, fun and a bit wacky”.“I tried not to make it tooserious, as a lot of poetry readingscan be quite emotional. I tried toadd a bit of humor.”This was the first of a series ofseven readings, with a differentwriter featuring each month.Jo, the 2012 Writer-in-Residence for Massey, is also oneof the creative writing tutors. Shepreviously trained as a lawyer,but quit in order to follow herpassion of writing. She graduatedwith a Master of Arts in CreativeWriting at Victoria University,and went on to have her poetrypublished in North & South,Poetry New Zealand, Sport andLandfall. Her second book, ALong Girl Ago, was a finalist inthe Montana New Zealand BookAwards. She is currently workingon her third book, Thank You ForNot Touching.The next Writers Read featuresplaywright, screen writer, andfiction writer Duncan Sarkies,and will be on Friday 25 May atthe city library, from 7pm-8pm.Entry is free, with drinks andnibbles at 6.30pm.The Waves ate other Waveswith their White TeethI hid in the forget-me-nots,I folded up my face after work,Prepared to get rid of the dirt.Seagull was smashing his beakInto the window, screaming“This is not what I want!”Half house, slim kitchen, sun onthe carpet . . .FreakBegins with fiend and endsWith a deep shockWalking into itself in the darkYou came like a flag,Waving in your black dress,Sat at the edge of my bed andsaid,“Remind me of myself, willyou?”Your voice, rain breakingPipes on the roof, shakingDark trees at the side of yourface.You walk through Cuba Mall,Watch the dog watch thefountain fallWith a yap!While Mervyn conducts himselfat the doorfrontHis friend gently paints his facein a plastic bag.And the voices that you passbark or ask,What is it, which way is it now.Miss Dust Decidesto Have a BabyIt was something to do with thefact that she was 35.It was something to do with thefact that Turbotook her to speedway on theirsecond date,& her Karen Walker top gotsplashed with mud.They walked hand-in-hand tothe hot dog standThen Turbo said, “It’s time to goto the pits.”Down and down they took thestairs,which were carpeted withbruised roses.Miss Dust said, “I neverexpectedthe pits to look like this.”CLUBBING TOGETHERTime spent being a student atMassey is more than it just beingabout assignments and lectures.It is also about meeting people,forming lifelong friendships,and developing your interestsand skills. Joining a club is anexcellent way to meet people whoshare your interests and havefun. There are currently around47 clubs at Massey PalmerstonNorth, with interests rangingfrom animal welfare to robotics.In this semi-regular column wehave a closer look at some of theclubs available to students atMassey.FIRST UP IS MUCOUS. What agreat acronym! Mucous standsfor Massey University Club ofUltimate Sport, which actuallymeans they play Ultimate Frisbee.Mucous has around 15 membersand they practice every Tuesdayand Saturday. Practices are allabout having fun, but time isalso spent training new membershow to play and teaching themwhat ultimate Frisbee is. Mucousparticipates in a city league wherethey compete against other teamsfrom around Palmerston North.There is also the possibility theymight be joining a few upcomingtournaments in the near future,which will be a great experiencefor everyone.Mucous is led by the president,Lucas Tey. “Anybody can jointhis club, regardless of theirknowledge of ultimate Frisbeeor their skill level, he says. “Weare happy to guide them intoultimate sports. Our purpose is tohave fun while playing ultimate,and at the same time promotesportsmanship and teamwork.It is also a great chance to learnabout people from differentcultures and backgrounds. Wehave quite a mix of people fromvarious parts of the world.”“People who are interestedare welcome to have a try”, saysLucas. “We are a very social groupand we will do our best to makeothers feel welcome.”THEN THERE IS THE MASSEYTOASTMASTERS CLUB. Thishas been in existence for morethan 30 years. Toastmasters aimsto help and encourage peoplewho, like most of us, are afraidof speaking to large groups.Students or staff can learn toface their fears and develop thisuseful skill by practising speakingin front of the group, listeningto others speak, and evaluatingspeeches.Most importantly, MasseyToastmasters provide a safeenvironment of mutual supportand encouragement. As atoastmaster, you learn at yourown pace, share experiences, anddevelop your own skills of publicspeaking.Earlier in the year MasseyToastmasters participated in theClubs Day in Palmerston Northand they also took part in therecent Esplanade Day.Students or staff who areinterested in public speaking andlearning valuable communicationskills are welcome. The club meetsevery Wednesday from 12-1 pm atBusiness Studies Central 2.04.• Anyone who would like toknow more about MasseyToastmasters contact Ying Jinat massey@toastmasters.org.nz or call Massey extension2311.• Anyone who is interestedin MUCOUS can contactLucas either by emailingmucousultimate@gmail.com orby calling 022 0120256.Massey University Students Association(Musa) has scheduledits Annual General Meeting forWednesday May 30 at 12.30pm,and is inviting all students toattend.Musa says this AGM will bevital to the continuation of theassociation, with a number ofimportant motions that need tobe passed. Top of the agenda isthe need to approve the budgetfor 2012.Student President Alex Jonessays that if the budget is notapproved it will make things verydifficult for Musa.“We need to pass this year’sbudget because without it wewon’t be able to spend anymoney – none at all. Not beingable to spend money meanswe can’t do anything for ourstudents.“Plus, we will be having a reviewon what we got up to last yearand where we are intending togo in the future. Things are lookinggood at the moment and weneed your [student] support.”At least 50 students will need toattend in order for the meetingto have a quorum. Those memberswill need to be studentswho have signed up to be partof Musa through their sign-upsystem.To make it easier for people toattend, the meeting will be heldin the middle of the concourse.And if that’s not enough, therewill be free food for all who doattend.Anyone not signed up can do sobefore the meeting starts.02 www.massivemagazine.org.nz/palmerstonnorth03

FEATUREPARTY ZONEPALMY AIN’T SO BADA resident of Palmerston North for 23 years, Yvette Morrissey looks into why it cops so much flack.Palmerston bloody North. It’s thecity New Zealanders love to hateand, ironically, this includes manyof the residents.After much negative criticism in the media,including the infamous quip by John Cleese“If you wish to kill yourself but lack thecourage to, I think a visit to Palmerston Northwill do the trick,” and multiple appearanceson Police 10-7, are so many wrong to sayPalmy is a hole? Quite simply, yes. YES.Palmerston North is a thriving, activityfilled,gorgeous city. The only problem is thatmany fail to see it this way. Sure, we have alot of wind, and all seasons may appear in oneday, but Palmy is a city definitely worth livingin.The most obvious reason is the low costof living. Lower rent and food costs meanits residents can live more comfortably,particularly financially challenged students.In 2011 the average house price was$291,693 while Wellington averaged at$408,500 and Auckland $472,000. Morepeople are moving to Palmy, with theimmigration rate rising 4.9% since 2001. Theunemployment rate is low, at 5.3%, a reasonmany are deciding to take up residence here.But not only is Palmy awesome, so are itspeople.We produced model Jessica Clarke, the firstNew Zealander to grace the runway for theVictoria’s Secret annual fashion show in 2011.And what Palmerstonian doesn’t brag aboutChief’s player Aaron Cruden, who started fortwo All Blacks tests in the World Cup, andChristian Cullen, a legend in New Zealandrugby.The beach is only half an hour away, andWellington, Taupo and Hawke’s Bay are onlya few hours’ drive that make for a pretty sweetroad trip.The main reason Palmy cops a lot ofcriticism is due to the well-abused saying“There’s nothing to do in Palmy!”Because Palmerston North is a raging cityfull of students, this is very easy to disagreewith. There is always something going on,whether it be great shopping sales at the Plaza,a rugby/netball/basketball game, or a couchburningparty down Ada St. For rugby fansthere is the New Zealand Rugby Museum, andwith theatres such as the Regent on Broadwayand Centrepoint you won’t find it hard to fillyour evenings.If the theatre isn’t really your thing, thereare countless pubs and liquor stores aroundfor you to use for your own amusement.Of course, these options don’t appeasesome complainers, for example the 2000+‘likers’ of the Facebook page ‘The awkwardmoment when you try to find something todo in Palmy.’ In fact, many of those peoplesuggest the only thing worth doing in Palmy isto ‘smoke a blunt.’ Go figure.However, these complainers have raised avalid point. Where do you find the informationfor what’s going on in Palmy? Sure, there isthe website Eventfinder, which is great fortourists and long-time residents, but whatabout the youth of Palmerston North?To fill this void, a group of Massey studentscame up with the website ‘Low Cools.’ This isan events page designed to tell students what’shappening in the city.One of the creators (who would like to bereferred to as ‘The Informant’) describesit as “a mix between Cheese on Toast fromAuckland, with its own local Palmy tint.”He said they created it because manystudents did not know what was going on.“We kept hearing the same comments fromstudents: ‘If I had known that was on, I wouldhave gone!’Low Cools has many interesting features,such as an activity guide that lets readersknow what’s coming up, and a reviews pageso they can read up on past events, includingrecounts on local events, gigs and parties.The geography page is a map of Palmywith ‘pin-drops’ pointing out cool placesfor students to hang out. This is particularlyhelpful for those new to the city. It alsofeatures links to content based in PalmerstonNorth.Those with the Google Calender app can setup the activity guide so it streams a live feedfrom their phone.“Students can be walking around and cancheck their phone to see what events arehappening in the city,” says The Informant.Perhaps the most unique part of the websiteis a video by film student Martin Joe, whotakes viewers on a tour by skateboard ofPalmerston North.The website has been up for three monthsand the creators are pleased with its success.“We’ve had over 5000 hits so far withoutmuch promotion. If we get one more personto each event, then it is a success from LowCools’ point of view.”So students now have little excuse to mopeabout in their flat. Why not take advantage ofour amazing city and all it has to offer.To check out anything low-key and coolthat is happening in Palmerston North, visitlowcools.co.nz.04 www.massivemagazine.org.nz/palmerstonnorth05

OP SHOP CHALLENGEOP-SHOP CHALLENGETO BOINK OR NOT TO BOINK ... IN PUBLIC!It was New Year’s Eve 2009. Myhoney and I were a pretty new coupleand were prone to doing it wheneverwe felt like it, wherever thathappened to be. We’d normally beable to go somewhere pretty privatebut this New Year’s we were out at aparty in town.As we stumbled home in the earlyhours of the morning, drunk out ofour skulls, we decided it would bea good idea to get down and dirtyin the middle of Palmerston North’sSquare. Did we attempt to find aquiet, shadowy corner? No, we didnot.So picture this, if you will. I’m in thethroes of passion with my honey,rolling around in the middle of whatwas essentially about the size of arugby field in the centre of PalmerstonNorth. We suddenly becameaware that we were no longer aloneand looked up to see some pervertfilming us on his mobile phone. You’dthink that would have been enoughto send us packing but alcohol andhormones had us in their grasp andwe just continued. Unfortunately,when we eventually decided to stopI realised that the little punk filmingus had disappeared and taken myhandbag with him.So, for my New Year’s Eve sins I wasrobbed of my Gucci purse, phone,iPod, camera, various other thingsthat us ladies carry around in ourhandbags, and my dignity.A topic long debated is that of whetheror not it’s good to do the nastything outside the confines of yourhome. Just about everyone has anopinion of some sort or other on this.Of course some will argue that doingit in a place where you could getcaught is going to add a whole newdimension to your sex life. I’ll agreewith this – up to a certain point. Butwho exactly is going to be catchingyou? The police? Your granny?Someone’s five-year-old?If it’s the police, you might end upwith a fine or a slap on the hand ifthe officer has a sense of humour. Tobe honest I don’t know. What is thepunishment for indecent exposure? Ifyou know, please tell me.If it’s your granny then a heart attackmight be impending. But hey, she’sold and probably had a good life.However, some kid seeing you goingat it? Hell, that’s going to stick withthem for the rest of their miserablelife.So, by all means bang around all overthe place. Just choose your placescarefully and be sensible about it.And please, hold on to your personalbelongings.APPLY NOWThe 2012 Jaycee TrusT$5,000 Travel Cost GrantThe Jaycee Trust is looking to grant twosuccessful applicants up to $5,000 each towardstravel costs associated with an overseas project.The Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowship schemeis administered by the City Council.The scheme aims to:“enable young persons to study orengage in special overseas projectsso that their contribution tothe community and their trade/industry/profession/business or callingback in New Zealandwould be enhanced.”ApplicATion forms &furTher informATion:PNCC Customer ServiceCentre, www.pncc.govt.nz or bycontacting Penny Odell at PNCCon (06) 356 8199 or emailpenny.odell@pncc.govt.nzApplicATions close ATThe Jaycee TrusT$5,000 Travel CostGrant4pm on TuesDAY, 5 June 2012Many claim to be the best at finding a bargain, but who really is the op-shop king or queen? Every monthMASSIVE will send out three writers from different parts of New Zealand to find a ‘new’ outfit for less than$25. Points are awarded for overall style, money saved, accessories, and of course ‘coolness’. This month,Leila Rauzi takes up the challenge.Iwill proudly admit, I’m a bit of a prowhen it comes to op-shopping. Whetherit’s clothes, books, or furniture – I liveby the saying “one person’s trash is anotherperson’s treasure”. However, even withexperience, putting together a whole outfit canbe quite a task. But nevertheless I was up forthe challenge.With $25 in hand I headed to my favouritesecond-hand store, Seekers. They have a hugerange of clothes, and in my experience theyare definitely one of the cheapest op-shopsaround. I was after an outfit I could wear outclubbing or even to a more formal occasion.I began my quest in the dress section buthad no luck. Then, as I was browsing theaisles, I saw a gorgeous top on a mannequin(which still had the original tags on – score!).It was a few sizes too big for me but when itcomes to op-shopping it pays to think outsidethe box, so I paired it with a belt that pulled itin and it looked great as a dress. I then tried ona few jackets and cardigans to wear over thetop but none looked quite right.Feeling slightly disheartened, I moved on toshoes. Now, although most of my clothes aresecond-hand there are some things that I onlybuy new – shoes and underwear.However, I thought I would give it a try andI managed to find some stunning heels thatlooked like they had hardly been worn. I don’tthink I’ll be buying recycled undies anytimesoon but I’m definitely going to check the shoesection from now on.On my way up to the counter I found a whiteblazer that completed the outfit. Feeling ratherchuffed with myself, I put the items on thecounter and my total came to $20.I could have stopped there but my passionfor bargain hunting took me to another shop.I headed into the Salvation Army Family Storewhere on the counter was a display of earrings.I picked out some pearl studs then headed tothe bags. There was a huge selection and allwere $2. At the bottom of the pile I found acute white clutch, and when I took it up to thecounter I haggled a little and managed to get itfor a mere 50 cents!My outfit was complete! Altogether I spentabout an hour shopping, bought six items andspent only $21.50. My op-shop challenge wasa success!Leila RauziBelt $2.00Shoes $6.00Dress $7.00Blazer $5.00Clutch $.50Earings $1.00Total $21.50Visit www.massivemagazine.org.nz tosee more entries from around the country06 www.massivemagazine.org.nz/palmerstonnorth07