Edwin Pope is 19 years old, and he’s a bit special. A multi-instrumentalist, mentalist, and performer of the highest order, his sheer enthusiasm for being on stage make his shows totally captivating. He knows how to pen a tune too. We mailed him a bunch of questions and ten minutes later the answers arrived back. With just days to go until the climax of the Dorset Music Awards, could this be Mutant’s Final?

Q. Hello Ed. Congratulations on getting through to the final of this year’s Dorset Music Awards. How much of a surprise has your success to date been, considering you only got a band together after the first round heats?

A. Thank you!! I remember talking to you at the first heats and thinking I was waaaaaay out of my depth! It’s been a huge surprise really. Here’s something most will not know – Mutant didn’t even make the initial round; we were added as a reserve because someone pulled out. We’ve had some luck for sure!

Q. For those who aren’t aware, tell us about your past musical history, bands you’ve played with etc.

A. I’ve been doing bands since I was 14 maybe? The name people are most likely to know will be Java Dawn. I have amazing memories from those days, when every noise you made felt fresh and exciting. I mean I still get that now, but when you’re younger the unknown of live music is so enthralling. Most recently, I’ve been playing in County Hospital with Tim Smart – it’s DubPunk and I love it.

Q. You have one sentence to describe the Mutant Vinyl sound…

A. Joe Strummer throwing a saxophone at Joe McElderry’s face.

Q. As a musician you clearly have more than the normal amount of natural ability. When did you start playing and who have been your biggest inspirations?

A. Nah I don’t think so, I just spend more time with my instruments than I do with people. I started playing the ocarina in Year 4… and then recorder… and then sax. Limp Bizkit, Eminem and Papa Roach were my first pin-ups, but a Courtney Pine gig changed my life. Until then, sax to me was jazz, but he made it rock, and I’m making it Mutant.

Q. When and how did Mutant Vinyl come about? Was it always your intention to see it grow from a solo act to an ensemble?

A. Mutant Vinyl happened when I finally had some cash to record the voices and ideas in my head. After getting the choons on tape, playing live was always my plan, and yeah, I wanted to end up with a band eventually. I’ll definitely go back to solo shows for periods, but the band is too much fun… especially with three best friends!

Q. Are there any instruments you can’t play?

A. Ha ha yeah, loads. I wanna learn the flute… and bagpipes.

Q. As a performer you have a strong stage presence and a clear ability to engage your audience. Is this something you pay great attention to, or is it a case of seeing how each gig develops? Is it rehearsed or winged?

A. I have no idea what happens when I go on stage, which is why I love live performance. Everything that happens is out of my control. I sometimes think to myself before I go on stage “right, lets try and not head-butt a mic stand tonight”, but it never works. What you see at a Mutant gig is energy carrying the performers. We rehearse songs and structures, but never the performance element. Nothing is ever contrived. The amazing thing with gigs is that they can go either way. You can’t plan this, you just have to go with what you’ve got and make an impression on the room. When I watch X-Factor and I see all the dance routines and giant plastic happy shapes, I think it degrades the performer to a product. Someone needs to go on stage with a chainsaw and cut something and then sing about love.

Q. Which performers do you watch and think “Wow!… I’d love to be able to do that.”

A. John Frusciante. When I’ve seen him play, especially during solos, you can honestly feel his heart crying. It’s a special thing. I don’t think you can be taught that, but I’d love for people to feel as much for a song as I do. Oh, and every Taylor Hawkins snare beat punches me in the face. That’s equally as special. Eddie Vedder’s voice as well, he’s captivating. No fancy tricks, just a timber shirt and you’re right there in the moment with him.

Q. Put these in order in terms of importance to you with regards to your music for the rest of the year. Most important first: Fame. Success. Recognition. Enjoyment. Girls. Festivals. Recording.

A. Recognition. Success. Festivals. Girls. Recording. Enjoyment. Fame… Sounds like a Pet Shop Boys Greatest Hits!

Q. How would you describe ‘success’ for Mutant Vinyl this year?

A. People hearing the music beyond Dorset and friendship groups, and enjoying it. It’s already happening and it feels top. That would be a success in my eyes… people going out of their way to dig the music.

Q. Has your music attracted any interest from agents, companies or labels who are interested in helping you?

A. Kind of. If I’m honest, I haven’t pushed that side of things too much. The gigs have been too manic as of late and I’m having too many ideas to stop and get involved with the logistics of becoming a “success”. I will get round to it for sure!

Q. For a young upcoming artist, do you think Bournemouth is a good place to be performing? What are the positives and negatives?

A. Bournemouth is an interesting one. There’s a few amazing venues and amazing promoters making things happen. But people don’t turn out enough and miss big things I think. I just wish everything was dirtier… more guerilla moments y’know? People with megaphones screaming Nirvana songs outside Bliss and Toko.

Q. Good luck in the final Ed. Two more questions. Which other band/artist has impressed you most in the DMA, and who is going to win the overall main prize?

A. Thanks Tone! The Sval Bards blew me away at Kyps. I was shocked to not see them in the final. Deltorers too… they had heavy dirt to their sound and I loved it. I reckon The Longest Day will win it though. They have bigger hooks than Captain Pugwash.

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