Singer-songwriter Benny Tipene loves his home town. “It’s my sweet home. I’m all about Palmerston North.” Benny was born in Auckland, but grew up in a large family on the outskirts of Palmerston North.
 

He learnt to play the guitar so he could jam with friends at Freyberg High School. At 17, in 2007, he formed the indie rock band The Nerines together with friends Drew and Tadgh Delany and Fabian O’Halloran. Taking part in Smokefreerockquest, the band won a Future Recording Artist award, which Benny sees as the beginning of his musical career.

Much of the band’s music took place at The Stomach, the musical incubator of Palmerston North non-profit organisation Creative Sounds.

Inspiration for Benny’s solo music, which he describes as acoustic folk pop, arrives from all directions. He draws from the likes of singer-songwriters Damien Rice and John Mayer, acoustic folk bands Avalanche City and Bon Iver – closely followed by the family cat, Trunks.

Sparked by a David Baxter gig, Benny revived the idea of the orignal chamber music – playing concerts in friends’ homes – and in 2012 to much local acclaim the Acutestic Phlats (acoustic flats) Tour was born.

From playing at weddings and phlat gigs around town, Benny jumped into the deep end at the beginning of 2013 by auditioning for the first New Zealand series of the X Factor. Since coming third in the competition his life has changed considerably.

Benny has now signed a contract with Sony Music. In a TV3 interview he said it’s “a dream come true” because “music is gonna be my job for however long I make it out to be … hopefully forever”.