5.5 Questions with Mutant Vinyl’s Edwin Pope

Apr 4, 2014 by Randy Combs

Going into this 5.5 with Mutant Vinyl Edwin Pope, I wondered how I should I identify him. While the temptation of referring to Edwin as Mutant or Mr. Vinyl, we’ll stick with Edwin.

Mutant Vinyl is his performance alter ego. He’s based in Liverpool and weaves a variety of musical styles through his music. On top of that, he’s a killer sax player.

Tell us about the first time you heard yourself on radio.

The first time was about 3 years ago. It was only on a small, local station in Dorset (southern England), but I remember sitting in a car outside my house, trying to tune in. The reception was a bit fuzzy, but it felt amazing to hear something that I’d taken weeks to write and record, coming out of the sky!

As a performer, what’s been your coolest day ever?

Maaaaaan… ummmmm… okay, it probably has to be playing with trip-hop legend, Tricky, last month in Manchester.

He’s a hero of mine, so to get invited to play a track alongside him and hang out with him all day, was a real honour. The man has worked with so many key artists
within music (Bjork, RHCP, PJ Harvey, Beyonce etc. etc.) so adding myself to that list was a real “what is going on here?!” moment. He’s extremely down to earth, and his band and crew treated me with nothing but kindness.

Who’s your musical role model and why?

My role model has to be Prince. He is someone who never stays still creatively, but he also never compromises his art.

I’ve been lucky enough to see him live a few times, and he really is the greatest showman I’ve ever seen. As a musician, he touches the sky,and yeah, I don’t think you can get a better role model within the industry, in terms of work ethic and performance attributes.

When you’re onstage, what’s different about you from the every day you?

I guess when I’m onstage, the whole Mutant Vinyl thing kicks in, and Edwin disappears whilst I’m up there. I overthink a lot, like we all do, in everyday life, but when I perform, it’s like I’m riding the experience and it takes me where it wants to.

I don’t really have too much control over what happens when I’m in amongst a performance (for example, throwing my saxophone last week and breaking my mouthpiece something I wish I could’ve stopped haha). But live performance is everything to me, so it’s something I hope to never stop doing.

What’s on the ideal sandwich and what would you wash it down with?

My sort of question! That one’s easy; smoked salmon, avocado and cream cheese.. preferably within a bagel. I’d have to follow it with coffee, as sadly, I’m hooked on the stuff!

Tell us 3 songs from your current playlist.

• White Lies – Bigger Than Us (huge single from their 2nd album that I’ve re-discovered. Massive chorus!)

• Sting – The Hounds Of Winter (I am finally a full Sting convert, and I can’t get enough..)

• Robert Glasper Experiment – Afro Blue (feat. Erykah Badu) (haven’t stopped listening to this since I first heard it a few years ago..crazy good musicianship from all involved).

Thank you, Edward!

Just Throw Me A Bone

The Mutant Vinyl website