Having emerged as one of New Zealand’s artist to watch with her chart-topping hit “Soaked,” which achieved Platinum Certification in New Zealand and Gold Certification in Australia, pop-singer Benee is back with her debut EP: “Fire On Marzz”. A delightfully poppy, synth-laden project filled with uplifting instrumental bangers and Benee’s summery genre-defying vocals.

Speaking on the release, the singer said: “When it came to coming up with a name for my EP, what first came to mind was wanting a phrase that was a big old explosion, because that’s kinda what the EP feels like to me. I came up with the name ‘FIRE ON MARZZ’, and thought it did the best job at not really relating to any song in the EP. I didn’t think there was a phrase that could sum them all up.”

We caught up with Benee about her roots, what she wants people to feel when they listen to her music, and what the future holds.

What’s your earliest memory of music?
My earliest memories of music would probably have to be things like mum singing me to sleep. My primary school used to throw Aloha nights where cool NZ artists would play & I always remember them being super fun.

Who was your favourite band or artist growing up?
Radiohead! My parents introduced me to them at a young age and I remember their albums playing on high rotation on road trips growing up.

When did you know you wanted to do this full time?
At the start of my first year out of high school haha! I was at university doing a Communications degree and decided on the Friday of the second week that I wanted to pursue music and work full time on it.

How would you describe your sound?
I like to think that it’s kinda a mix of alt indie pop/ with some r&b elements! I like the idea of combining different sounds from different genres to create a fresh new sound.

Talk to us a little about “Want Me Back”
This song for me has the most emotion in it. Whilst writing the song I really opened up and fully allowed myself to be super vulnerable. I wrote it a while after my first breakup and it was at a point where that person tried to reach out again and enter back into my life where I didn’t know what to do. Every line in this song is so personal to me but I think a lot of people can probably relate to this feeling of being hurt by somebody but also not knowing how to control yourself around em /:

What are the themes that run through “FIRE ON MARZZ”?
It’s a big ol’ mix! Every song in the EP is a different lil story.. a few tracks in it are quite bouncy and fun but there are also a few sad songs in there.

If you could collaborate with one person, who would it be?
Oooooosh definitely James Blake [laughs]!

What do you want people to feel when they listen to your music?
I think for me if someone can relate to any of my lyrics and feel comforted by listening to my music that’s what I’d want.

What’s your favourite of your lyrics?
“Want me back” – these lyrics hit home.

What’s the best live gig you’ve ever done?
Laneway Auckland!!! This to me is [sic] loik da kewlesttt festival in NZ that I’ve been to, so being able to perform there was insane.

Who is one band/musician killing it right now?
This guy called Still Woozy! He just released an EP and holy…he’s sumthin else. He has a song called “Lava” that he just put out and the production is maaaaad. I believe he does it all himself so that’s pretty cool!

What advice would you give yourself 2 years ago?
Probably just to not feel so stressed out about not knowing what to do with ma life. There was definitely a lot of pressure put on us gals at school to know what we were gonna do at uni and stuff and I think that was a poop time.

What’s your goal for one year from now?
Just to have made a heap more music and still be enjoying myself.

What are you motivated by?
Seeing other people work hard! It motivates me to work harder too.