Spa teenager ready to face music

Anya Pulver (left) who will take to the stage as part of Mansize in the semi-finals of an international music competition this weekend. (s)

A DROITWICH-born teenager is aiming to hit all the right notes when she takes to the stage in the semi-finals of an international music competition tomorrow (Saturday).

Anya Pulver, 19, is the lead singer of Mansize who will perform alongside six other bands at The Asylum in Birmingham in the competition organised by the Surface Festival.

And if successful, the band will be handed a place in the final at the O2 in London in the autumn where the overall winners will be given a once in a lifetime chance to make a name for themselves in the music industry.

It caps a remarkable year for the three piece grunge revival rock band who only formed in April 2011.

Anya, together with Rob King on bass and Joe Shellam on drums, has performed throughout the county as well as Bristol, Birmingham and Wales.

Mansize are regulars at Worcester’s Marrs Bar, Firefly and The Brewery Tap and have a dedicated and expanding following.

The three members all contribute to new tracks but Anya has been writing and performing since she was 15-years-old.

“I can’t remember a time when music did not play an important role in my life. I inherited my musical influence from my dad, and talent from my mum,” she said.

The former Chawson First, Witton Middle and Droitwich Spa High School pupil told The Standard she always wanted to be a musician but remained academically focused at school.

“During my first year in sixth-form, music began to take over my life. I loved my studies but I loved music more.

“It was an inevitability that I would end up leaving behind my education for something I had more drive and passion for than anything else in my life.

The overall winners of the competition will be given slots at some of the top UK and European festivals, a tailor made PR campaign for the release of a single in the UK, a digital distribution contract, UK radio plugging and a four-day UK tour.

Despite the mouth-watering prize on offer, Anya said the band weren’t particularly nervous and were grateful to have been given such an opportunity.

“For many musicians, it’s so difficult to find the time, money or contacts needed to progress further than just establishing a fan base within the local area,” she added.

Surface Festival is based in 16 cities in the UK and Europe and operates more than 500 shows a year with artists and musicians from all backgrounds and ages.

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