For most Croydonians, Si Cranstoun is instantly recognisable as one half of the brothers singing duo The Dualers.

But this week he's performing a gig at The Ashcroft Theatre without brother Tyber beside him.

Si says he's going "back to his roots" with a retro mix of soul, swing and doo wop to give something back to the town that made him famous.

"I'm taking it back to the High Street, where I started long before The Dualers began. I used to go out and sing lots of soul and Motown songs," says Si.

"It's been really good actually, like a soul-searching, therapeutic journey that reminds me of my humble beginnings.

"The public in Croydon have been so supportive over the years and people say we're like the local celebrities now.

"I'll never forget the first time I came out to sing in Croydon - it blew me away that people would put money in my guitar case and buy my CD. I couldn't believe people were paying me to do this because I would have done it for free - I was being paid to do my favourite hobby.

"I'm still thanking my lucky stars to this day and I want to give something back to the community with this gig."

The Dualers have become a regular feature busking on Croydon High Street and have built up a loyal following.

They've recorded five albums, given countless local performances as well as in other places around the country, and have had singles at numbers 21 and 23 in the UK Singles Charts.

But Si started out singing the songs of Jackie Wilson and Motown artists in the High Street on his own, and now he wants to revisit that time in his life.

"Music for me has always been about giving and it's an opportunity to celebrate years of singing on the High Street and give something back."

So why now? And what is it about Croydon that's inspired Si to do something for his town?

"I met my wife on Croydon High Street while I was singing on a sunny afternoon. Croydon gets a lot of bad press and it grates on me. The only time it makes the national news is when something bad has happened, but my years in Croydon have been joyous years.

"People will sing along and dance and we'll have a five minute street party."

Si and his wife, Tamu, had a daughter, Tiva, earlier this year and he says that's been a big factor in making him want to play the music he first loved again.

"I still can't believe as a result of singing in Croydon High Street I have a family, a wife and a baby.

"When I met my wife, Tamu's dad came over to buy a CD and she came back to ask me to sign it. I looked up and saw the most beautiful face, then we struck up a conversation and she got in touch on the website to say how much she enjoyed the CD.

"We emailed each other for about a year and it was a long time before I plucked up the courage to meet, but we eventually met at East Croydon and 18 months later we're married with a baby, Tiva.

"That's the Croydon I know."

Si must be one of our town's biggest fans, and says there's lots to love despite the bad reputation.

"Croydon's got real character with Surrey Street Market and there are always things going on in the town centre, like the merry-go-round and market stalls. Croydon's got so much to offer."

Dualers fans needn't worry this spells the end for the group - Si says he's still committed to the duo and his brother is more than happy about the new project.

"Tyber is totally supportive, he's a fan of this sort of music and as brothers we used to sit in our bedrooms and listen to this music together.

"I've written a song, Sing Her Praises, about Tiva and Tyber loves it, he wants me to release it as a single.

"This solo project frees him up to run The Dualers with even greater force. He's absolutely still in The Dualers, as I am, but music is something where you have to stick your fingers in a lot of pies and hope one of them comes true."

One dream that recently came true for The Dualers was selling out a show at the O2, and Si spoke to go! on the eve of the gig.

"We've sold out a 2,500 person venue and we're thrilled, we were on a real high when we discovered it was sold out. What a wonderful feeling, we're extremely excited."

They also managed to get their single Truly, Madly, Deeply on the soundtrack of rom com film Fool's Gold last year, although the brothers had completely forgotten it might happen until the film came out.

"My wife was in the cinema with her girl friends and she didn't know it was going to be played. All of a sudden in a cinema in Croydon there was a group of women screaming at the screen! I didn't know they would be using it until my wife saw it."

Si is looking forward to performing his different style of music at his Ashcroft gig this week which he says has an old-fashioned sound to it.

"People have compared it to a male Amy Winehouse, which is a great compliment.

"My parents, brother and sister are going to be there and it's going to be a bit like An Evening With Si Cranstoun. I'll invite them up on stage to sing a song or two.

"We've got swing dancers in the aisles too, so it's going to be quite an electric show.

"The Ashcroft isn't a huge venue, but acoustically it's great and has that old-fashioned vibe to it. You can see the audience in front of you.

"I'm going to continue with The Dualers and with my solo project, and continue enjoying all the great music I'm so privileged to perform."

Si Cranstoun is at The Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon on Friday, August 14 at 7pm.

Tickets £10, go to www.fairfield.co.uk or call 020 8688 9291.

Go to www.sicranstoun.com for YouTube clips of him singing solo.