Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been brushing up on our social skills with the assistance of whoever ghostwrites Oprah’s blog. Over that time we’ve learnt that it’s totally socially acceptable to ask a near stranger what their mission is, and when they last cried.We turned our new conversation skills to Dominic Stephens, the beat-making alpaca enthusiast behind Outerwaves. We thought he was a pretty good sport for putting up with a super awkward conversation.NOISEY: Who was your favourite celebrity as a child?
Dominic Stephens: I fell in love with Claire Danes when Romeo + Juliet came out. I had a thing for them, I just appreciated their love. That’s really intense though isn’t it?If you were invisible where would you go? You can say into a changeroom, I won’t judge.
I would go into the VICE office.What do you think you’d see?
I’d just snoop around.That’s unsettling.
You’ve put me on the spot with these ones, I wasn’t preparing for thinking like this.Blame Oprah. When was the last time you cried?
I cried recently because I’m trying to learn this program for music and video, but it’s really, really complicated and intense so I find myself on the point of tears regularly, trying to figure out the next step.That could fuel your creative drive? Is that a cheesy thing to say? I think O has gotten to my head.
Well hopefully there’s some satisfaction at the end of this journey, but at the moment I’m trying to push through to the next level and sync some lighting up to the show.What do you prefer: strength training or cardio?
Probably cardio. I like just good old healthy exercise, no real sign of muscle.Do you have any pets?
Yeah we’ve got a cat called Daeger. I’m at the point of just trying to get him to hang out with me, we’re not even watching TV together yet.Cats play so hard to get.
I need a dog or an alpaca. A couple of months ago, me and some mates went to an alpaca festival in Geelong and fell in love with every single one of them.Next question: who would you take to a deserted island?
I’d want someone quite sexual because I’d imagine it would be quite an arousing place, but also someone that could maintain a very strong conversation for long periods.Anyone in particular?
This is going to sound a bit suss, it’s such a dude thing to say, I’m gonna say Natalie Portman.What is most memorable about your high school years?
The Saints and cheese with crackers. But otherwise, probably just one convoluted ball of bullshit.I don’t actually understand what this question is asking but, what is your mission?
Protect yo’ neck.What animal would you be?
An alpaca or a dolphin, they’re rad and I’ve got both tattooed on me.Leaping across your stomach?
It’s leaping over my shoulder. Really minimal home job tattoo but I like him. I got it after drunkenly watching too many Cousteau documentaries, and now I realise it’s definitely my spirit animal.What’s the kindest thing anyone has done for you?
We had a party on the weekend and my mate John made me a spicy mexican dip. It was very nice, I devoured it.That's beautiful. Now if you had a 10 minute speech to give at a high school what would it be about?
I’d try and show them there are other avenues than what the current system tells you; tell them about the real world and maybe some music chat on the way.Followed by a DJ set?
Yeah totally, but I’d hook myself up to sensors. There would be like a light show, because I would have mastered my program by then. New media kinetic installation plus motivational talk straight from one of the TED videos.What’s your favourite food?
Burritos, Thai and Punjabi Palace in Brisbane—the holy trinity. All ejaculation worthy. I’ll get Punjabi Palace like three times a year and will actually come in my pants.Thanks Dominic. Interview over.Outerwaves is playing our Melbourne VICE Presents party this Thursday. RSVP here to try get a glimpse of that dolphin tattoo.
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Dominic Stephens: I fell in love with Claire Danes when Romeo + Juliet came out. I had a thing for them, I just appreciated their love. That’s really intense though isn’t it?If you were invisible where would you go? You can say into a changeroom, I won’t judge.
I would go into the VICE office.What do you think you’d see?
I’d just snoop around.That’s unsettling.
You’ve put me on the spot with these ones, I wasn’t preparing for thinking like this.Blame Oprah. When was the last time you cried?
I cried recently because I’m trying to learn this program for music and video, but it’s really, really complicated and intense so I find myself on the point of tears regularly, trying to figure out the next step.That could fuel your creative drive? Is that a cheesy thing to say? I think O has gotten to my head.
Well hopefully there’s some satisfaction at the end of this journey, but at the moment I’m trying to push through to the next level and sync some lighting up to the show.What do you prefer: strength training or cardio?
Probably cardio. I like just good old healthy exercise, no real sign of muscle.Do you have any pets?
Yeah we’ve got a cat called Daeger. I’m at the point of just trying to get him to hang out with me, we’re not even watching TV together yet.Cats play so hard to get.
I need a dog or an alpaca. A couple of months ago, me and some mates went to an alpaca festival in Geelong and fell in love with every single one of them.
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I’d want someone quite sexual because I’d imagine it would be quite an arousing place, but also someone that could maintain a very strong conversation for long periods.Anyone in particular?
This is going to sound a bit suss, it’s such a dude thing to say, I’m gonna say Natalie Portman.What is most memorable about your high school years?
The Saints and cheese with crackers. But otherwise, probably just one convoluted ball of bullshit.I don’t actually understand what this question is asking but, what is your mission?
Protect yo’ neck.What animal would you be?
An alpaca or a dolphin, they’re rad and I’ve got both tattooed on me.Leaping across your stomach?
It’s leaping over my shoulder. Really minimal home job tattoo but I like him. I got it after drunkenly watching too many Cousteau documentaries, and now I realise it’s definitely my spirit animal.What’s the kindest thing anyone has done for you?
We had a party on the weekend and my mate John made me a spicy mexican dip. It was very nice, I devoured it.That's beautiful. Now if you had a 10 minute speech to give at a high school what would it be about?
I’d try and show them there are other avenues than what the current system tells you; tell them about the real world and maybe some music chat on the way.Followed by a DJ set?
Yeah totally, but I’d hook myself up to sensors. There would be like a light show, because I would have mastered my program by then. New media kinetic installation plus motivational talk straight from one of the TED videos.What’s your favourite food?
Burritos, Thai and Punjabi Palace in Brisbane—the holy trinity. All ejaculation worthy. I’ll get Punjabi Palace like three times a year and will actually come in my pants.Thanks Dominic. Interview over.Outerwaves is playing our Melbourne VICE Presents party this Thursday. RSVP here to try get a glimpse of that dolphin tattoo.