Benson Gives Us a Taste of His Aussie-Fueled Style

Australian phenom Benson swung by to chat about life in Melbourne, how moving to Los Angeles impacted his career, and more.

While Australia might be one of the more sparsely inhabited continents on the planet, there’s something special that’s been brewing in the dance music scene Down Under. Artists from a wide array of genres who call the country home have made an impact in many different ways, and one who continues to flip the scene on its head is Benson.

Although he might currently reside in Los Angeles, Benson found his footing in the scene in Melbourne, where, to him, it was “unreal” while growing up. “[Melbourne] has always had this great energy, whether it was warehouse parties, club nights, or record stores, you’re constantly surrounded by music,” he said. “That DIY spirit Melbourne has definitely shaped how I approach music and made me fall in love with the culture behind it, not just the sound.”

That aforementioned spirit is what helped drive Benson to become the multi-faceted artist he is today. You can find him in the studio producing tunes, like his recent hit with VNSSA, “Shiny Disco Balls,” but he’s also accomplished behind the decks. Festival bookings in recent years for Benson include Lollapalooza and Splash House, while he’s performed at Day Trip-hosted events in California and other nightclubs along the way.

Those are just two aspects of Benson’s life, as he flexes his tastemaking abilities as one of the co-founders of Medium Rare Recordings. This has allowed him to push boundaries as an artist while keeping his ear to the ground for the latest and greatest coming out of Australia and beyond. A glance at some of the latest artists to release on Medium Rare includes Sasha Go Hard & Latour, meeson, LO’99, Tough Break, and Sekta.

If it wasn’t apparent enough by looking at some of the most popular artists in the scene, Australia is a hotbed for talent. “There’s a real sense of creativity and genre-blending that’s pushing boundaries, especially from independent artists who are doing it on their own terms,” Benson shared about the scene Down Under. “That said, I think we’re still fighting for proper infrastructure and recognition on a global scale, but the energy and passion are 100% there. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s exciting.”

What makes the Aussie scene special is the community. It’s tight-knit, super supportive, and full of people who genuinely care about the music. There’s also this cheeky, irreverent vibe. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and I think that makes the parties more fun and the music more fearless.
Benson

Much akin to other Aussies, Benson looked beyond the country’s shores to continue to grow his career. He set his sights on Los Angeles to be his new home, a city he calls a “beast of its own” with its fast-paced nature on a bigger scale, with a bit more of a focus on the industry. “There are endless opportunities, which is sick, but I do miss the laidback nature of Australia,” he said. “LA’s been good for me creatively, though. Being surrounded by artists from all corners of the world has opened up new influences and pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way.”

Benson is embarking on a journey into the latter half of the year, but he dropped off a mix for everyone to spin that shows off everything there is to love about his dynamic style. “This mix is a snapshot of what I’ve been feeling lately, a blend of driving house, cheeky edits, and a few unreleased bits I’ve been testing on the road,” he said in closing. “I wanted it to feel like one of my club sets. Sweaty, loose, and fun. Something that makes you screw your face up. Enjoy!”

Listen to this exclusive mix from Benson on SoundCloud and stay tuned for more from this Aussie artist by following his social media channels.