Late in 2016, singer-songwriter, fruit-pusher and maybe witch Benn Bennett returned to the stage after a far-too-long hiatus with the enchanting 'Occasional Suburban Witch'; a cabaret collaboration Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward celebrating the women of the Western suburbs of Melbourne who Benn loved and laughed with. In fact, Benn is one of the great collaborators, having created unique, hilarious, touching and award-nominated work with previous guest (and drunk pash of the podcast) Wes Snelling (episodes #3 and #5).

We sat in his sunny Western 'burbs kitchen listening to Kate Bush (it was with Benn that I took part in The Most Wuthering Day Ever last year, both dressed to the nines in 'Wuthering Heights' frocks and wigs) and talked in our everyday circular fashion about footy franks, songwriting, suburbia, working with other artists, being terrified of debuting your own songs, Prince, matryoshka dolls, 'Return to Oz', and musicians' musicians. Also my Toni Childs impression rears its head...but only when I was attempting to do an impression of Elton John...hey, swings and roundabouts!

Benn also plugs about a dozen local businesses in Yarraville, Melbourne, so I'm hoping the podcast gets a sponsor out of this episode...failing that, please share/subscribe and say nice things on iTunes if you wish/can. Everything helps.

See you in Oakleigh for brunch! S.L.A.P.

Photograph of Benn, Bec and Sarah by Pier Carthew