OLIVIA J. BENNETT

Hello! I’m an arts writer, researcher and critic based in Brisbane, Australia.

I've reviewed and written about art, film, music, and digital culture in Australian and international publications. I’ve also played a pivotal role in the programming, digital production, and successful delivery of numerous projects within Australia’s film and music industry.

I'm fascinated by how global trends intertwine with personal stories, revealing the impact of cultural issues on our daily lives. In my work, I prefer to experiment with non-linear storytelling, multiple perspectives, and mixed media to capture the intricacy of modern cultural tensions.

I’ve been honoured to participate in Gertrude Contemporary’s Emerging Writers Program and the Melbourne International Film Festival’s Critics Campus.

I'm also a freelance copywriter, content writer, and strategist whose work is driven by principles of complexity and interconnectedness.

With five years of freelancing, three years in agency environments, and two years navigating Melbourne's strictest COVID-19 lockdowns, I've faced real tests of resilience and adaptability in my career. This experience has enriched my ability to develop copywriting, content, and strategy for various sectors, including tech, health, lifestyle, retail, design, construction, hospitality and (of course) the arts.

I completed a Bachelor of Art History and Curating at Monash University, majoring in Film Studies. For my BA Honours thesis in Screen and Cultural Studies at Melbourne University, I argued that the documentary films of Harvard University’s Sensory Ethnography Lab are hyperobjects. Applying Timothy Morton’s concept through poetics, I explored their capacity to provoke a transgressive experience of ecological thought and feeling.

On a personal note, I'm on track to pass the DELF B2 French exam in 2025, and I am currently working on launching new business ventures that will further leverage my expertise and passions.

Souhaitez-moi bonne chance!

REAL POWER

Gossip

Written by Olivia J. Bennett
Edited by Isabella Trimboli
Published in print by The Big Issue AU
Issue #710 | 26 April 2024

Gossip's new record Real Power carries a title suggesting potency, but it veers from the thunderous impact of their seminal 2009 hit ‘Heavy Cross.’ Helmed by the industry patriarch Rick Rubin, the album retains the group’s signature blend of funky punk revival and Beth Ditto's soulful vocals, albeit in a more subdued manner. Real Power cruises through clean lyricism, showcasing a variety of influences spanning punk, pop, funk, disco, and R&B. The resulting sound is an amalgamation that stupefies more than it mesmerises. While Real Power lacks the energetic fervour synonymous with Gossip's past work, it appears intentional, suggesting a shift towards more introspective songwriting. In ‘Turn The Card Slowly’, alongside reverberating guitar and minimalist base, Beth Ditto croons, "We had a plan, we said we’d settle down / Baby, that was then, and this is now." As the album progresses, Ditto’s vocals accumulate weight, imparting wisdom on lost connections and faltered opportunities. The message? Real power transcends force, finding its essence in tranquillity.