Prime Circle’s new lead singer was almost in the military

HIS OBSESSION WITH FLYING JETS ALMOST LANDED HIM IN THE MILITARY. BUT MOM’S ENCOURAGEMENT MADE HIM GO INTO MUSIC. LAST WEEK, PRIME CIRCLE APPOINTED GAVIN EDWARDS AS THEIR NEW LEAD SINGER.

Congrats. How did you get the job at Prime Circle?

Thanks. I know the guys from the industry. One day, my phone rang, and it was Marco (Gomes, from Prime Circle) who said they wanted to hear me sing. They flew me up to Joburg, and I spent four days jamming with them. By the end of the four days, I was in!

Where were you born?

I was born in Durban, my dad was in the military, so we moved every four years. First Durban, then Potchefstroom, then Virginia in the USA, where I started school, then Tzaneen and Pretoria. It was so much fun for me as a child. 

Where do you get your musical talent from? Mom or Dad?

My dad can’t sing a note, but he loves music. My mom sings beautifully. She kept instruments around the house, so we were always encouraged to play. 

If you were not a singer, what would you have become?

I wanted to go into the army and fly jets. But I have always known music and wanted to sing. 

You lived in Ireland for a couple of years. What was the experience like?

It was cold and green but beautiful, with amazing people. But over time, I missed family, biltong, milo, koeksisters and sitting outside. When I moved back, I was like, “That’s it! I am never leaving here again”.

How has X-factor changed your life?

I wanted to do something that put me out of my comfort zone. Especially cameras and interviews, and the best way to get over that was to get onto the show. I ended 7th. I was shattered. I was depressed for about a year, to be honest. Then I entered The Voice, and that was mind-blowing.

Apart from Prime Circle, what is your favourite band?

Pearl Jam is just my big band. Matchbox Twenty, One Republic, Ed Sheeran and Nickelback. Locally, it’s Just Ginger, Springbok Nude Girls, The Sugar Clouds, Majozi and Francois van Coke.