Si Like You Mean It - Si Cranstoun Interview

Remarkably fresh for a man just off stage from an album showcase, Si Cranstoun is full of enthusiasm. An upbeat character at the best of times, he’s even more ebullient ahead of the release of his new LP, Modern Life. “I’ve never been as proud as I am of this record,” he gushes.

As the son of Bill Cranstoun – the Irish-born pioneer of ska and soul in 1960s London – Si had an early education in the world of music.
“My dad has always been this powerhouse,” he smiles, “a loud, funny character with a way of telling stories. When he would reminisce about the ska days, you could visualise it. ‘The speakers were bigger than you, Si, and the bass would go through you! Son, you wouldn’t believe it.’”
It’s little wonder, then, that Si soon found himself following the same path, forming The Dualers with his brother Tyber.
“We were playing in the streets – I’ve been busking all my life – and people started to go for these obscure ska tracks. I thought, ‘If they like these songs that they don’t even know, they could well go for things that we write.’ That got me started as a writer.”
The Dualers had both critical acclaim and chart success. When it plateaued, Si felt it time to go alone. Embracing a lifelong love of Jackie Wilson soul, he soon established himself on the vintage music scene, and caught the attention of major record labels in the process.
“Warner caught wind of this new ‘King of the Vintage Scene’, as they titled me. There was little intention of radio play or anything when they signed me. But next thing, I’m off to Vegas and Australia, and DJs are starting to play my tunes. It all skyrocketed.”
The label teamed Si with more contemporary songwriters; the Motown vibe that resulted has attracted praise and airplay from the likes of Chris Evans. The man who was never meant to be on radio is now playlisted by the BBC. The classic feel isn’t the only difference from a lot of what makes the airwaves; it’s also… well, it’s happy music. These days, that’s downright unusual.
“Ah, but that’s the key,” Si enthuses. “I look at music as being medicinal. It’s there to lift the spirits, or make good times even better. It comes from playing on the streets, and it’s become part of my style that I can’t get rid of. But then, I never want to.”
Things have changed quite a bit since the busking days.
“I pinch myself when I roll out of bed. My life feels more like a movie right now.”
When that movie is made, at least there’ll be no problem finding a great soundtrack.

Modern Life is out now.