Pollyfromthedirt has yet to be pictured in public without wearing a metallic mask, which absolves part of his personhood from the larger social panopticon. Despite using a moniker, the Darlington-raised artist’s new EP, The dirt pt. 2, is doused in candor, save for a few lines borrowed from The Smiths and King James of Scotland. England might play a starring role in these six tracks, but don’t lump in his idiosyncratic guitar music with any immediate contemporaries. According to the artist, he’d “rather be in a UK underground conversation than a Brixton Windmill conversation.” We sent the songwriter some questions about Buddhism, cultural misconceptions, and potential future big-ticket purchases. Read his answers, and listen to The dirt pt. 2, below.

What guitar do you play? If you got rich quick, what’s the first guitar you’d buy?

Live, I play a Guild baritone 8-string acoustic for absolutely no reason, if I was rich I’d buy a Rickenbacker, I’ve always wanted one.

You’ve mentioned Buddhism in a couple of interviews. Are you practicing? Do you have a favorite Buddhist teaching?

Tbh it was an unhealthy obsession that began and burnt out pretty quickly in terms of Buddhism as a religion. However, I still hold the core essence very close, it helped calm my anxieties and still have a huge (much healthier) interest in spirituality and its teachings. Accepting you have no control over your thoughts and not identifying as the thinker of them, just letting them go. 

How’d you tap Lily Hodgkinson to make your mask? Was it a collaborative effort? Will there be other variations?

She’s a close friend, when I first started the project I knew she’d be the best person for the job as I’ve loved everything she’s ever made. The mask will keep evolving and being refurbished as it slowly wears down and starts to break which is pretty cool. 

Who are your favorite fellow masked artists?

Most artists who are masked are like dance producers or rappers, neither of which probably wear masks for the same reason as me. I always thought MF Doom’s mask was cool but I'm not a huge hip hop guy. You don't see too many artists who make guitar music and wear masks which I think is what led me to the idea.

What’s the greatest thing about bartending? What’s the worst?

The pubs I worked at were filled with different characters from both extremes of the spectrum, which is probably the best and worst thing. I enjoyed just feeling like a chill human who had a chill job. 

Are there any common American misconceptions about British culture that you’d like to put to rest?

That the food is bad, they clearly haven't tried our national dish of fried spam with baked beans gravy and custard.

“When england comes” touches beautifully on forgiveness. Who’s the last person you forgave? Do you often extend that same grace to yourself?

Yeah I mean despite that song I haven't always been good at forgiveness, I can be pretty salty, even to myself. I forgave my cat for hissing at me because we were out on a walk together and I know he needs to look tough in front of the other cats on the street, I can relate.

Kiss, marry, kill: Oasis, Blur, The Stone Roses.

Kiss Oasis (ergh), kill Blur (like them but bit boring), marry Stone Roses (<3).