Benee has had a blockbuster year, lockdown be darned. First, the New Zealand singer-songwriter broke out with her TikTok-friendly Hot 100 hit “Supalonely” — which will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Nov. 15 — and catapulted to the top of many an alt-pop fan’s playlist.
Then, when she wasn’t performing on every program, from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers to The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she was working to launch her own record label, Olive, and playing to 24,000 people at two sold-out shows at her homeland’s Spark Arena.
Most recently, Benee (who will turn 21 in January) made Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, and now she’s unveiled her debut album Hey U X, a tight and vibe-y set that features collaborations with Grimes, Lily Allen, Mallrat and others.
Ahead of the LP’s Nov. 13 release, Benee answered 20 questions for Billboard about everything from her dream gig to releasing music during the pandemic.
1. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?
James Blake’s Overgrown. I got it on a streaming platform.
2. What was the first concert you saw?
[British heavy metal band] Savage played at our primary school festival! It was sick!
3. What did your parents do for a living when you were a kid?
Dad is a video editor and mum did acting and voice-over work.
4. Who or what made you realize you could be an artist full-time?
Once I realized I was going to be signed!! That was kind of a dream for me at the time. It meant I could quit the other [hospitality] jobs and focus on my music.
5. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?
I wanna play Coachella!
6. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?
I grew up surrounded by creatives. The suburb I’m from is also filled with artists and musicians. I spent a lot of time outside and at the beach being active growing up, and I think all of that contributed to who I am now.
7. What’s the last song you listened to?
“Honey” by Pinty! It’s groovy.
8. If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?
Prince.
9. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd of one of your sets?
Once there was a couple making out the whole set. Didn’t watch me at all! That was wild.
10. What’s the weirdest or most unique venue you’ve played?
Kantine am Berghain [in Berlin] was crazy! We watched people for hours trying to get in and getting rejected at the door.
11. Which band would you drop everything to join if you were asked?
None! I love my band — they’re my favorite people in the world.
12. What TV series have you watched all the way through multiple times?
Euphoria.
13. What’s one thing that even your most devoted fans don’t know about you?
I have a hidden talent: I can sound like a firework.
14. If you were not a musician, what would you be?
An astronaut!
15. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Don’t care so much about what anyone else thinks of you!
16. What was it like collaborating with Lily Allen, Grimes, Flo Milli, Mallrat and so many more on your debut album?
It was a dream! I’m a huge fan of all of them. I still can’t quite believe it when I hear them on my tracks, haha.
17. What are the challenges of releasing an album during a pandemic?
I couldn’t work in studio with any of the artists. It also took a bit longer to finish songs because at times, I wasn’t allowed to go into the studio and record.
18. What about the benefits/positives?
I think now is a time where people need music the most! I hope I’m giving the world more to entertain themselves with during this bleak time.
19. Any plans to take “Supalonely” further?
Probably more performances. A remix could also be sick.
20. What’s something you’ve been passionate about lately?
POLITICS! I was watching the American election like a hawk.