´óÏó´«Ã½

Simon Webbe

Grace and flava

You’re just about to release My Soul Pleads For You. With the changes to the charts, do you think it’s still worth putting out singles?

"It’s worth it for promotion purposes, but I think the download thing is good, because people get to live with songs longer. On radio, you only get around six weeks and sometimes songs don’t click with you in that time.

The B-side is a cover of the Killers’ When You Were Young. What made you choose that track?

"The reaction I got to the cover when I did it on Jo Whiley [as part of the Live Lounge] was amazing and after that, my album went from number 22 to number 11! But more than that, it was nice to come out of my comfort zone and do something left of centre, because I’m not a one-trick pony.

"I want to experiment. I’ve learnt from people like Madonna, Kylie or Michael Jackson, who constantly reinvent themselves. I’m trying to go down that road."

It’s only a few months until your tour. Are you looking forward to it?

Simon Webbe

"Big time. Some of the shows have sold out which is amazing. I’m getting good news every day!"

You’ve got a massive date at the Arena. How does it feel to play your home town?

"It’s all about coming home. I used to drive past the MEN every day on the bus when I was modelling and think, ‘I wonder what it’s like in there?’ I was fortunate enough to play it with Blue and it was fantastic. I thought my show was going to be at the Apollo. I pictured myself there, building up to the Arena. Now I’m jumping in at the deep end, but I’m ready for it."

You’re born and bred in Moss Side. How much does the area influence your music?

"It has a great impact. With my music, I didn’t want to come out with anything too negative, I wanted to look on the bright side of life. Even in Manchester, people have the wrong impression of Moss Side, because of the gun culture and stuff like that. People are actually happy there and it’s only a minority of kids that are losing their way a bit. I want to show them that they’re bigger than that."

Do you feel a pressure to be a role model to the kids there now?

"I don’t feel a pressure, I want to be. I want to show them that there’s something bigger than their estate, because unfortunately when you join gangs, you can only go to certain areas and your mentality sticks there. Frustration sets in, then confusion and anger, and there’s a bigger world out there.

"No-one can say that ‘well, that’s alright for you to say’, because I’ve been there and got myself out. I got myself on a train and went to London, got myself a job and within six months, I was in Blue. And that wasn’t luck, that was being prepared.

"I worked hard, kept my nose clean and came down to London and didn’t take no for an answer. That’s what I want to get across to kids; that you should take advantage of an education and get on with life, because you’re not going to be given anything."

Is it that attitude that has helped you succeed post-Blue?

Simon Webbe

"I don’t know, maybe. But it’s more than that. The other day, I did a TV show and the gentleman that was filming turned to me and said, ‘you probably don’t remember me, but when you had VS [the band Simon managed], you made a point of coming round and shaking everyone’s hand and I was just a runner then.’

"Ever since then, he’s been supporting me and that’s just because of that handshake, and it costs nothing to have manners. My mum’s always said that and it’s true. I’m just happy to be where I am, but it’s about everyone, from the runner to the director, everyone’s important and you’ve got to remember that."

You made your film debut last year in Rollin’ With The Nines. How was that?

"Acting is something I really enjoyed in school so when they came to me with the part, I jumped at it. I got to work with Vas Blackwood and Robbie Gee; two of my childhood heroes in Desmond’s and The Real McCoy. I used to re-enact their scenes in the playground, so actually doing a film with them, it was too good to resist."

So what does the future hold?

"I’ve got my targets. I’m looking to record the third album soon for release next year, but more than that, I’m going to take a break. I haven’t had a proper break in six years, so I’m going to take a few months out, enjoy life and spend some time with my family."