Sian Cross, a former backing vocalist to Stevie Wonder, Jessie J, Daniel Beddingfield and Mica Paris, has spent the last couple of years carving out her own career as an artist. She’s since recorded at Abbey Road Studios, sung in the Royal Albert Hall, appeared on national TV and recorded sessions for BBC Radio.
Following recent single,‘Tell Anybody’, the singer/songwriter from the West Country is set to release double A side, ‘On And On’ / ‘Stare At Me’, to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week, with 50% of money raised from sales of the track going to the charity.
Tomorrow sees Cross head off on tour, supporting Sons Of Pitches, Mishka Shubaly and China Crisis, respectively.
Check out the top 10 songs on her touring playlist.
1. RY X – ‘Only’
“I absolutely love this artist. I discovered him around 4 years ago at Greenman Festival and I have followed his journey ever since. I would say his album ‘Dawn’ is my favourite album of 2016! This particular song is beautiful and the video for it is so powerful.”
2. Oh Wonder – ‘Plans’
“I only discovered these guys last year and I went to see them at The Thekla in Bristol. I have been hooked ever since and this particular song inspires me and helps me continue to believe in myself.”
3. Michael Bolton – ‘How Am I Supposed To Live Without You’
“No road trip is complete without a good old sing along at the top of your voice, shower singing style! My manager and I have an unhealthy obsession with Michael Bolton; we both went to see him this year on his UK tour! That was definitely a bucket list moment for me! The man’s voice just doesn’t age! He’s still got the pipes!”
4. Gentleman’s Dub Club – ‘High Grade’
“Rhys (Co-Writer) and I made this discovery during a long drive back from Cardiff: Dub is the best way to stay awake on a late night drive. We now have an entire dub playlist for the post gig drives. All inspired by me playing Gentleman’s Dub Club to Rhys (we usually take it in turns to be DJ). I have seen these guys many times. They are amazing live and always get the crowd jumping!”
5. Paul McCartney & Wings – ‘Band On The Run’
“Band On The Run is one of my all time favourite albums! It takes me right back to my childhood. Of course I had to go with the title track for this one, it’s like five songs in one great song! This is always a favourite pick-me-up album of mine.”
6. The Staves – ‘No Me, No You, No More’
“The Staves are my harmony porn! I absolutely love harmonies and no one does harmonies like these girls. Rhys and I went to see them at Hackney Empire last year and they totally blew our minds!”
7. Nao – ‘Inhale Exhale’
“Nao is another great pick-me-up for the drive. I got drawn into her from hearing her track, ‘Bad Blood’, and have since been to see her twice in Bristol. She is incredibly enticing in her performance and her vocals are immaculate! She creates music that you just can’t help but move to, even when sat in the passenger seat or behind the wheel of a car!”
8. Christine and The Queens – ‘iT’
“I stumbled across this artist at Glastonbury this year and I fell in love immediately. I love her album and we like to play it in full on the longer journeys.”
9. Matt Corby – ‘Belly Side Up’
“Matt Corby is my most recent discovery. Introduced to me by my good friend Tom. I have since bought his album ‘Telluric’ and I love it. This track is the first on the album. His voice is delicious and so is he!”
10. Bon Iver – ‘22 (Over Soon)’
“What’s not to love about Bon Iver! Rhys and I both share a love for Justin Vernon, which was compounded when we went to see The Staves; having produced their album ‘If I Was’ he came out on stage and joined them for ‘Make It Holy’. He was just unbelievable! And I love his new stuff.”
Double A Side, ‘On And On’/’Stare At Me’, is out on November 18th to coincide with anti-bullying awareness week.
November Tour Dates
11 – Basingstoke Anvil – Basingstoke*
12 – Falmouth Pavilion – Falmouth*
14 – St Albans Arena – St Albans*
21 – Cadogan Hall – London*
23 – The Rowbarge – Guildford**
25 – Gullivers – Manchester**
26 – Slaughtered Lamb – London**
27 – Robin 2 – Wolverhampton***
*Supporting Sons Of Pitches
** Supporting Mishka Shubaly
*** Supporting China Crisis