Words by Christopher Kevin Au // Photographs by Jack Bennett

As much as we’d love to believe that ‘journalism’ is solely about Taylor Swift listicles and lengthy discussions about Gucci Mane mixtapes, there is something inherently democratic about the profession.

Part of that is sharing stories, discussing viewpoints and giving a voice to the underrepresented – and that’s something that Olivia Suleimon and Ebony Boadu have tapped into for their latest venure titled IZMZ Magazine.

Since emerging in April 2015, IZMZ Magazine has profiled characters in Sydney with profound honesty. Featuring images and transcripts from the subject, it’s a refreshingly raw take on Australian youth – a demographic that’s been continually overshadowed or misrepresented in mainstream media. The response to the lockout laws have been one recent example where the younger generation have responded with vigour, and IZMZ taps into the same trials and tribulations with an intimate twist.

“I was always really into Oprah, I was raised on Ricki Lake and Jerry Springer – people really talking about themselves and being quite polarising about it. I was fascinated by people’s stories. Stories are healing. The reason why Oprah is so big is that people find solace in someone else’s story and it touches millions of people. Naturally, wherever I go I always get really deep with people and find out exactly why you are the way that you are. I think it’s really important that everyone feels valid,” Olivia says.

While our favourite thing about Jerry Springer will forever be the crowd chanting for head security guard Steve Wilkos, there’s no doubt that the stories were addictive – it was like watching a car crash in slow motion with horribly dysfunctional relationships that made you feel slightly less worse about being forever alone. Since finding inspiration from daytime television, Olivia came up with the concept for IZMZ but encountered some difficulty in finding a partner-in-crime. She eventually reached our to Ebony after meeting briefly once and maintaining contact on social media. After all, it’s 2016: If you’re not on someone’s Facebook friends list and they haven’t slid smoothly into your Instagram DMs at least once, do you even exist?

“I had the idea and I really wanted to do it, but I didn’t have anyone to help me. Ebony was starting to do photography and posting these pictures, and they were exactly the aesthetic that I wanted. Real raw, but still beautiful. That’s when I reached out to her and she was on it straight away. It’s so hard to find someone: You can talk and talk and talk, but to have someone who’s on it with you and can actually make it happen. We drive each other and I’m accountable to Ebony now. She’s been the perfect counterpart,” Olivia says.

In its relatively short lifespan, IZMZ has profiled a wide range of subjects discussing everything from single parenting to sexuality. The stories are clearly resonating with audiences, although they’re quick to dismiss any sort of ‘checklist’ when they’re choosing who to interview – and of course, a lot of them come to attention via that ever-handy Instagram ‘Explore’ page that’s led you into hours of scrolling through pessimistic memes and cat compilation videos.

“It’s whoever pops up on our radar. We just screenshot and send it to each other. We both have an idea of what we both like. It’s not about ‘cool’ people, it’s about extreme individualism. We like people who are out there and unapologetic, even if we don’t agree with what they’re saying. We’re going to get nowhere as a society if we’re not constantly talking and being ourselves,” Olivia says. The duo aren’t afraid to tackle sensitive issues, as evidenced by their controversial Australia Day video from earlier in 2016. Collecting views from Invasion Day protests and Cronulla – the whitewashed home of the infamous riots of 2005 – Olivia insists that they’re “not trying to push an extreme left-wing opinion.”

“A lot of people think we have an agenda with things we do, but it’s not at all. Here are views that exist, and they’re both as valid as each other. Even if you don’t agree with them, they exist. It’s that simple,” Ebony continues. Still, the video picked up considerable traction online, and it was enough to catch the attention of SBS – who have now recruited IZMZ for a new program discussing multiculturalism, titled SBS Uncensored. It’s all streamed through Facebook live, while guests have ranged from emerging emcee Remi to ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ star Sukhjit.

“SBS saw that and they looked at our blog and what we’re about. They said that we were touching on what they wanted to get into, but couldn’t. We weren’t trying to be multicultural, it just happened – this is young Australia and we all come from all backgrounds. It’s just natural. They took us in,” Olivia says.

Just as IZMZ started as a platform to give youths an outlet, that same ethos has extended to their entire creative team. “It started off as me shooting, and a lot of people told me that this is a sick platform for photography. I thought would be cool to involve other photographers and put them on and give them a platform to take photos,” Ebony says. Now, images are shot by Lily Austin, and our frequent collaborator Chris Yee adds an animated element to their SBS program.

Meanwhile, illustrator Marina Martian draws up the vivacious flyers for IZMZ-presented events. Their biggest party is GIRLS at Plan B Small Club, which is held in collaboration with local selector Anissa. The soundtrack is hip-hop with a dash of UK grime, delivered by all-female line-ups. Nes, FlexMami and Mowgli May have all played at GIRLS, while there’s also a huge chance of hearing the eloquent romance anthem ‘My Neck, My Back‘ at least once.

“There is obviously still a huge disparity in Sydney’s party and hip-hop scene. It’s sad that we have to be so blatant by calling our event GIRLS, but with the huge response and turn out each month, it’s evident that Sydney needs it and we’re onto something that we will definitely continue to nurture with the aim of putting more and more female DJs on,” Ebony says.

With plans to house even more box socials under their newly-established IZMZ Events branch, the duo are diversifying their repoitoire and gaining momentum quickly – and who knows, you just might be their next interview subject. In the meantime, listen to ‘My Neck, My Back’ on repeat and wait until their next party so you can gyrate unashamedly on the dancefloor.