Rupert Matthew Pederson II
“Yeah, I am a mortgage broker,” states the mystery-dancer-guy. His name is Rupert Matthew Pederson II. Or as we fondly call him, “Rupe-the-Great-Scandinavian-Hope.” “I spend my days slinging loans and dollars for other people. Chained to a desk, answering to someone else, getting lost in the daily shuffle. Oh, that ridiculous grind. I’m pretty damn good at it though.”
After a co-worker accidentally left a Hopefuls CD on his desk, Rupert’s life would change forever. Or as he tells it one fateful night, “One listen and I was hooked. It was so infectious and inspiring. It punched me square in the gut.”
On March 26, 2005, it was a head-on collision for Pederson and the Hopefuls at their 1st Avenue debut, “I had just gotten out of a brutal closing for a home purchase and the client was not so cool. Frustrated, I headed straight downtown, still in my work clothes. Once they hit the stage…the guitars, the lights, the track suits… I just couldn’t contain myself. I couldn’t stand it.”
Within minutes…a dancer was born.
Rupe rushed the stage. “I had this out of body experience. Before I knew it, I was up there with the band giving it absolutely everything I had. I’m talking 117Maybe even 143nbsp; It totally rocked my world! And The Hopefuls didn’t stop me. I had unknowingly kicked them in the teeth and I think they liked it. Or at least, I hope so.”
Rupert had never really flexed his boogie muscle before, not even school dances or family weddings. But from that day forward, Rupe danced.
“If you don’t move to this music, you have no pulse, no soul. I mean, how can you not want to just shake it to the ground, hang your heart out there and let go.” In Rupe's own mild-mannered words, "Nothing makes me happier than the Hopefuls music. I love it. I love them…like a brother."
Statistics:
Nickname: Rupe
Favorite Song: Let's Go
Food: Chicken Quesidillas
Drink: Lipton’s Ice Tea (unsweetened w/lemon)
Hobbies: Squash, Kickball and Reading
Highlights: My grandma recognized me on Kare 11’s Whatever Show
Appearances to date: 1st Ave, Taste of MN, Basilica Block Party, MN Zoo, 400 Bar and MN State Fair.
