BONZAAR Podcast

Episode 06: Blazing Swan Art & Volunteering (JayJay & Wez)

In this episode we chat with Wesley and JayJay live onsite from Blazing Swan 2025 Cosmic Coincidence. We discuss the various art projects and art at blazing swan, more backstory to the formation of blazing swan, and an appreciation for the crew and volunteers that make the burn and event such a magical experience.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Wesley ‘Admiral’ Lamont & JayJay Sticks
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Timestamps:[00:00:00] Jayjay & Wez[00:02:47] Jayjay origin story[00:05:22] Wez origin story[00:08:47] Jayjay art journey[00:19:39] Rejected projects[00:30:34] Impressive art[00:31:46] 2025 effigy and temple[00:46:12] Church burning[00:58:12] Appreciations[01:04:42] Backstory of blaze and kulin[01:11:58] Playa and salt lakes[01:15:20] Eastern state burns[01:19:01] WA uniqueness[01:22:25] Future blaze generation[01:27:58] Blaze skills[01:39:57] Crew shoutouts[01:45:17] How was your burn?[01:50:36] Outtro[01:50:55] Outtakes - Wez and Jayjay
USEFUL Links:Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
Shire of Kulin: https://www.kulin.wa.gov.au/
Visit Kulin: https://www.visitkulin.com.au/
Kulin Bush Races: https://kulinbushraces.com.au/
Njaki Njaki country: https://www.njakinjaki.com.au/
Blazing Swan Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OfficialBlazingSwanCommunity
2025 Blazing Swan: Cosmic Coincidence Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/901298578504620/
"Are You Sure This Is Art, Not Vandalism?" (Burner Documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkwDNspK_gA
 
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.net
Email us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
 
This episode was recorded on 21 April, 2025

Episode 05: Blazing Swan & Kulin (Erin, Will, & Oly)

In this episode we travel to the wheatbelt region of Western Australia, in Njaki Njaki country, where we chat with Erin and William Bailey who are local Kulin burners. We discuss some of the attractions and local activities in Kulin, and the unique relationship between Blazing Swan and the Kulin township. We are then joined by Damon ‘Oly’ Oliver-Pages – former chairperson of blazing swan – to chew the fat a bit more about blazing swan 2025, the Church of Belligerence theme camp and the formation and early days of blazing swan.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Erin Bailey & William Bailey, and Damon ‘Oly’ Oliver-Pages
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Timestamps:[00:01:04] Welcome intro[00:03:44] THE internet[00:08:50] Blazing swan coming to kulin[00:16:10] Kulin township[00:19:45] Kulin attractions[00:23:42] Blazing swan egg in kulin[00:26:32] Tin horse highway[00:34:01] THE camp[00:36:27] Kulin locals[00:45:39] Blazing swan quiz[00:53:23] Cosmic Coincidence[00:54:33] Past effigies and temples[00:58:40] Burning the church[01:00:55] What is blazing swan?[01:12:37] What is blazing swan[01:17:03] Shoutouts[01:22:35] Burner voice messages[01:24:15] Oly[01:27:53] God said no[01:34:13] POX eclipse[01:57:23] Alliance camp[02:00:59] Kulin relationship[02:12:55] Outtakes - Nina & Will
USEFUL Links:Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
Shire of Kulin: https://www.kulin.wa.gov.au/
Visit Kulin: https://www.visitkulin.com.au/
Kulin Bush Races: https://kulinbushraces.com.au/
Njaki Njaki country: https://www.njakinjaki.com.au/
Blazing Swan Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OfficialBlazingSwanCommunity
2025 Blazing Swan: Cosmic Coincidence Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/901298578504620/
 
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.net
Email us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
 
This episode was recorded on 21 April, 2025

Episode 04: Underland Build Team (Glenn & Jim)

Exploring the Art and Community of Underland: Effigy and Temple Builds
In this episode we take a look at the Underland effigy and temple build with Jim Beattie & Glenn Todd. Hosts Stevan, Jim, and Glenn discuss the art and community dynamics of the Underland effigy and temple builds from 2023 and 2024. They share engaging stories of their art projects, focusing on the creation and burning rituals of effigies and temples. Jim details his experience as the effigy build and design lead, highlighting his project 'Pobblebonk Effigy' while Glenn shares his insights into fire sculptures and his work with the Nautilus temple. The episode also covers topics like the importance of inclusive spaces, the historical significance of effigies and temples, and potential challenges when creating large-scale art burns. The conversation is enriched with discussions on the ideas of holding summer burns without actual burns and the need for a supportive community to facilitate these artistic expressions.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Jim Beattie & Glenn ‘Flame Writer’ Todd
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Timestamps:[00:00:00] Welcome intro
[00:01:34] Jim origin story
[00:06:59] Glenn origin story
[00:10:29] Art burns
[00:12:00] Minimum requirements
[00:18:25] Build issues
[00:19:53] Meaning of effigies
[00:22:23] Effergies in burner culture
[00:30:26] Having fun
[00:32:12] Support groups
[00:34:18] Logistics
[00:40:19] Build to burn
[00:42:13] Pobblebonk effigy
[00:50:04] Brainteasers
[01:00:34] Burner voice messages
[01:01:25] Burn without burning
[01:08:37] Budget and design
[01:12:19] Revisiting the temple
[01:16:55] Nautilus temple
[01:20:27] Temple guardians
[01:21:31] Build art
USEFUL Links:Common Arts Victoria: https://commonarts.org.au/
Underland: https://underland.com.au/
Flame Writer: https://flamewriter.art/nautilus-temple/
David Best Temples: https://davidbesttemples.org/
Underland (Unofficial) Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1139415790701071
Facebook post ‘Rethinking the Temple at Seed’ by Erin Susan Killion-DelCastillo: https://www.facebook.com/groups/burningaustralia/posts/9564632963547200/
 
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.net
Email us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
 
This episode was recorded on 30 January, 2025

Episode 07: 2025 Blazing Swan Cosmic Coincidence Review (Georg, Nina, & Vida)

In this episode we review the 2025 Blazing Swan Cosmic Coincidence event with a panel of longstanding blazers – Georg, Nina, & Vida. We discuss some of things that went right or wrong and some improvements for the next event. We also chat about some of the highlights and magic moments; retracing back at some of the history and fuckery at blaze, the controversies and community learnings from this year’s burn; and offer some Kulin travel tips and ‘must do/see’ when in the outer regions of the Western Australian wheatbelt area.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Georg ‘Naked Ranga’ Raithel, Nina ‘Honey Badger’ Triche, & Vida ‘Kweeny’ Barrett
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Timestamps:[00:00:50] How was your blaze
[00:02:24] Dust app
[00:05:53] Vida's role
[00:07:04] Georg's participation
[00:10:05] Operational talk
[00:14:20] New theme camps
[00:17:10] The library
[00:21:52] Intercamp fuckery
[00:27:02] Nude photoshoot
[00:28:35] Bureau of bureaucracy
[00:34:20] Blaze star
[00:37:16] Blaze traditions
[00:42:41] Blazing swan quiz
[00:54:20] Koasis creek
[00:59:19] General camping
[01:13:20] Site infrastructure
[01:17:47] Live music
[01:23:59] Workshops
[01:27:00] Burnier than thou
[01:45:45] Kulin travel tips
[01:54:27] Local kulin services
[01:59:57] Why blazing swan
[02:08:59] Recombobulation
[02:10:08] Shoutouts
USEFUL Links:Blazing Swan: https://blazingswan.com.au/
Shire of Kulin: https://www.kulin.wa.gov.au/
Visit Kulin: https://www.visitkulin.com.au/
Kulin Bush Races: https://kulinbushraces.com.au/
Njaki Njaki country: https://www.njakinjaki.com.au/
Blazing Swan Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OfficialBlazingSwanCommunity
2025 Blazing Swan: Cosmic Coincidence Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/901298578504620/
 
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.net
Email us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
 
This episode was recorded on 12 May, 2025

Episode 03: Kiwiburn (Andy & Julia)

In this episode we head over to New Zealand to talk with Andy (Kiwiburn Chairperson) and Julia (from Department of Propaganda) live at Kiwiburn: Trash Renaissance Fair. We chat about the background, history, and organisation of kiwiburn - one of the oldest international regional burn events and community. We discuss the New Zealand burner landscape and focus on the topics of community-building with the local Hunterville township and leaving a positive trace.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Andy ‘Money Daddy’ Justice & Julia from the Department of Propaganda
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Timestamps:[00:01:06] Kiwiburn conditions
[00:02:28] Burn permits
[00:04:38] Kiwiburn improvements
[00:12:29] Hunterville community
[00:15:54] Kiwiburn layout
[00:18:54] Landowner engagement
[00:19:59] Department of Propoganda
[00:21:49] Wildlife at kiwiburn
[00:25:24] Mustard economy
[00:26:56] Ticket lottery
[00:33:24] Kiwiburn events app
[00:36:53] Law enforcement
[00:41:57] Julia origin story
[00:44:12] Andy origin story
[00:47:54] Burner voice messages
[00:49:46] Kiwiburn quiz
[01:03:13] Kiwiburn history
[01:05:08] Volunteer-based event
[01:12:32] Social media issues
[01:17:32] NZ burner community
[01:21:42] Effigy and temple
 
USEFUL Links:Kiwiburn: https://kiwiburn.com/
Kiwiburn Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2408543387
Kiwiburn 2025: Trash Renaissance Fair poster winner: https://www.artivist.co.nz/make/2025/1/21/kiwiburn-2025-announcing-the-trash-renaissance-fair-poster-winner
 
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.net
Email us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
 
This episode was recorded on 24 January, 2025

Episode 01: BoNZA (Justin & Leanna)

Bonza: Unveiling the Vibrant Burner Community of Australia and New Zealand
In this episode we take a look at the BoNZA Community with Justin McGhee and Leanna Pugliese. We provide an in-depth look into Bonza, a community initiative supporting Australian and New Zealand burners. We discuss the origins and meaning of the term 'Bonza', its naming by Phil Smart, and the annual Bonza Summit, which facilitates networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among burners. Justin and Leanna share anecdotes and the evolution of the summit, outline the role of regional contacts, and emphasize the importance of in-person connections. They also explore the adaptation of events to virtual spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic and future plans for Bonza. Listeners are encouraged to nurture community spirit and extend the Burner ethos into everyday life, while also touching on the significance of intergenerational engagement and the evolution of burn culture.
Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay
Guests: Justin ‘Captain’ McGhee & Leanna ‘Momma’ Pugliese
Produced by PY Wong & Stevan Lay
Timestamps:[00:00:50] What is BoNZA?
[00:11:17] BoNZA landscape
[00:15:00] BWB civic ignition grants
[00:17:33] Sparkhaus maker-space
[00:21:50] Burning seed restructuring
[00:27:44] BoNZA summit
[00:31:44] Origin stories
[00:43:52] Bonza quiz
[00:54:29] Burner voice messages
[00:56:23] Regional contacts
[01:07:04] Aussies & kiwis on playa
[01:10:20] Magic of burns
[01:22:17] Burning man history
[01:29:58] 2025 BoNZA summit
USEFUL Links:Sparkhaus Hub: https://burnerswithoutborders.org/projects/civic-ignition-grant-update-sparkhaus-hub/
Bonza summit invitation policy: docs.google.com/document/d/1eWhtwDUc-AfIK7DgVdAQKsuiIqrgV9_S0kv7ISvMWsw/edit?tab=t.0
Regional Network: https://regionals.burningman.org/about-the-regional-network/
Aussies & Kiwis on Playa Facebook Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/858789392013744
MARGI the Pizza Oven: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092292527187
 
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.net
Email us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
 
This episode was recorded on 16 January, 2025

Episode 02: Common Arts Victoria (Jamie, Terry, Narelle, & Rebekah)

Common Arts Victoria incorporated (CAVi) is an organisation dedicated to community-building through arts and creating participatory events that give people the opportunity to form connections and explore new possibilities. In this episode we chat with some of the board members of CAVi and take a profile look into the background of Common Arts Victoria, it's structure, and the formation of Underland - an emerging burner-community event that takes place in late-September.
Host: Stevan Lay
Guests: Jamie Colquhoun, Terry Stevens, Narelle Pizarro, Rebekah Kober 
Producers: PY Wong, Stevan Lay
Timestamps:[00:00:00] Welcome intro[00:03:46] T-rex origin story[00:07:20:] Narelle origin story[00:11:34] JayCee origin story[00:17:18] Space Cake origin story[00:19:55] CAVi board members[00:24:36] CAVi membership[00:31:09] Community engagement[00:32:47] Underland name[00:36:44] EffiMU[00:40:17] Rainmoth effigy[00:43:09] Nautilus temple[00:45:22] Bogan quiz[00:50:39] Burner voice messages[00:51:39] Underland2024 population[00:55:16] Site layout and placement[01:04:28] 2025 theme: Pop![01:10:09] Landowner relationship[01:18:35] Ecology[01:22:46] Sound curfew[01:26:38] Regional burn status[01:30:09] Underland2025 date[01:30:56] Social media and website[01:34:46] Art ignition grants[01:36:08] Debriefing[01:39:24] Centre camp[01:43:25] Apologies[01:45:58] Thoughts on CAVi chat[01:48:30] Scorched nuts[01:54:55] Burn calendar[01:57:49] Woodlovers paralysis infosession[01:59:37] Shownotes
USEFUL Links:
Common Arts Victoria: https://commonarts.org.au/
Underland: https://underland.com.au/
Common Arts Victoria facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/commonartsvic
Woodlover's Paralysis Information Session: https://www.facebook.com/events/972684781405772/
Underland (Unofficial) facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1139415790701071
Burning Seed: Metamorphosis: https://www.facebook.com/events/482662608128033
Blazing Swan: Cosmic Coincidence: https://www.facebook.com/events/901298578504620
3rd Degree 2025: https://www.facebook.com/events/3877856919208111
Underland: Pop! https://www.facebook.com/events/1783285152476002
 
Bonzaar Podcast website: https://bonzaarpodcast.net
Email us: mailbag@bonzaarpodcast.net
 
This episode was recorded on 9 January, 2025