Ivan Ooze

Ivan Ooze may be the name of a bad arse villain in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but the name is also shared with a Melbourne rapper, though his friends know him as Ben Townsend. We had a chat to Ivan about his upcoming show at Beyond the Valley and what he hopes to get out of the New Year.
Hi Ivan, thanks for taking the time out to chat with us, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
Thanks for chatting to me! I’m great thanks! I’m currently at the airport thinking about what food I should eat when I get back to Melbourne.
So you’ve just released ‘Trippin” from your upcoming mixtape, which you’ve said is about your mum thinking a career in music was a dream, has she changed her views at all now that you’re achieving pretty big things in the industry? 
She sort of has, but at the same time opportunities like this aren’t around forever so I guess you just have to make the most of what you have and enjoy the ride. I think she has settled nicely into that idea.
Did you have a lot of people questioning your career choice as you went along? 
A couple of people questioned what I was doing and suggested getting a ‘real’ job, but you gotta do what makes you happy, for me it’s music and performing.
Was there ever a point where you actually thought they were right and wanted to give up? 
It occurred to me once when I was writing LORD$ that a lot of artists never make it in this industry, but if you don’t try how will you ever make it.
It’s probably a good thing you didn’t as you’re touring alongside Cypress Hill and Ice Cube, you must be pretty excited to be doing that so early in your career? 
Haha yeah it’s nucking futs! I’ve just played the first two shows with Ice Cube and the aura he carries with him is so insane, I can’t wait to play with Cypress!
Are they both people you admire? 
Most definitely, I used to listen to N.W.A. and Cypress every day through school. So it’s unreal playing with acts you grew up listening to.
I know you got your name from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, what is it you love about the show? 
I just love the corniness of it. My favourite power ranger was Zack the black ranger, the biggest G of them all and when the movie came out I was so cut he wasn’t in it. I shed a tear for Zack.
Were there any other names you were deciding between that came from TV shows? 
Not really, I thought about changing my name a couple times though but Ivan Ooze has stuck, even most my mates that know me as Ben call me Uzi.
You released your debut a few months back, what’s the audience’s reaction been like to it performed live? 
It’s been killer! I’ve had a really dope response from people coming up to me after shows and having a chat and giving some feedback – all my fans are the beez fuggin kneez.
For your upcoming shows can we expect more of the new stuff from your mixtape to be played? 
Indeed you can, January 30 I’m performing at the Shebeen Bandroom and I’ll be doing a heap of new songs so come check it out!
Given that you’re playing at Beyond the Valley over New Year, do you have any resolutions for 2015? 
Cut down on smoking, Sprite and pray that I wake up alive on the 1st haha.
Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up? 
Thanks for talking to me FORTE, you nice 🙂
When & Where: Beyond the Valley, Phillip Island – December 30-January 1 & Shebeen Bandroom, Melbourne – January 30.