My guest on this episode is Tim Burgess - frontman of The Charlatans, solo artist, DJ, author, and the man behind the hugely popular Twitter Listening Parties.

Long before his own band became one of the defining acts of the ’90s, Tim was a kid in the late ’70s flipping Jam singles at his dad’s youth club, soaking up every note of Paul Weller’s music.

That teenage fandom never went away.

In this episode we talk about how Paul’s songs shaped Tim’s early years, the influence of The Style Council on his own outlook, and how, years later, Paul Weller went from hero to collaborator and friend.

From surprise phone calls and festival appearances to studio sessions at Black Barn, this is a conversation full of stories that chart Tim’s journey from fanboy to peer.

From school discos and loafers to Los Angeles dinners and festival encores, Tim shares the stories of how Weller’s music inspired him, and how that bond grew into friendship and collaboration.

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Nick Knight CBE is one of the most influential image makers of our time.

As the founder of SHOWstudio and a visionary fashion photographer, his work with designers such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Yohji Yamamoto, and musicians including Björk, Lady Gaga and Kanye West, has defined modern culture.

In this episode, Nick joins me to talk about his long creative relationship with Paul Weller.

From photographing The Style Council at Solid Bond Studios through to the striking imagery of Paul’s early solo career, Nick shares the stories behind some of Weller’s most memorable visuals. We discuss:

• His first encounters with The Jam and The Style Council
• What made Paul Weller such a compelling subject to photograph
• The influences behind iconic shoots, including the inner sleeve of Our Favourite Shop and the debut solo album cover
• The role of fashion, style and visual culture in Weller’s music
• Nick’s reflections on music, image-making, and capturing emotion through photography

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On this episode my guest is one of Britain’s most distinctive comedians, an award-winning stand-up, actor, writer, and the creator of the brilliant TV sitcom, Lead Balloon.

Jack Dee has always had a sharp wit, a dry outlook, and as it turns out, a deep, long-standing admiration for both Paul Weller and his music.

In this episode, a snippet of the interview recorded for my upcoming book, Jack shares how The Jam gave him an ‘alibi’ in the late seventies, his surreal moments sharing a bill with Weller, and how a Paul Weller track ended up as the theme tune to his hit sitcom. We also explore the parallels between comedy and music, his admiration for Weller’s constant evolution, and a few unforgettable encounters along the way.

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On this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I’m joined by singer-songwriter Amelia Coburn - an artist whose distinctive voice, storytelling flair, and genre-blurring style have won her fans far beyond the folk world. Amelia’s connection to Weller began with her wonderful ukulele cover of Down in the Tube Station at Midnight, which eventually caught Paul’s ear via Shindig! magazine’s John Mills. This story leads to a beautiful collaboration on Paul Weller’s new album Find El Dorado, where Amelia’s vocals feature on the Christy Moore song 'One Last Cold Kiss'.

We talk about her musical upbringing, the influence of The Jam, the decade-long journey to her debut album Between the Moon and the Milkman, and the stories behind songs like 'Dublin Serenade', 'Nodding Dog', and 'Sandra'. Amelia also shares how it feels to be championed by one of her heroes, her hopes for future collaborations, and exciting plans for album number two.

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Declan O'Rourke is my guest on this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast - another huge talent and always a delight to talk to. Warm, humorous, super-smart and clearly a huge talent.

This time around we talk Find El Dorado and the opening song - a duet between Paul and Declan - a cover of Richie Havens’ 'Handouts in the Rain' - a song that is undeniably beautiful with the juxtaposition that it reflects on humanity’s repeated failures - violence, prejudice, and exploitation - while warning of the inevitable consequences: alienation, shame, and destitution.

Written during the 1970s, its verses reflect on personal and societal cruelty, from harming neighbours and foreigners to betraying women and misleading children. The refrain - "taking handouts in the rain” - is a powerful image of collective downfall, suggesting that those who perpetuate harm will ultimately share in suffering and marginalisation.

As Paul and Declan cover the song decades later, its relevance has not diminished. In today’s world, issues of xenophobia, social division, and generational mistrust remain pressing. The song’s critique of scapegoating, violence, and inherited prejudice resonates just as strongly, if not more so, amid ongoing global conflicts, refugee crises, and polarised societies.

Both versions underscore how cycles of blame and cruelty lead only to mutual ruin - a message as urgent now as when Havens first sang it.

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This week’s guest on the Paul Weller Fan Podcast is Tony Harlow, one of the most influential figures in the modern music industry and the current Chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK.

CEO of Richard Branson’s V2 Records during Paul Weller's time at the label, their professional paths have crossed again more recently, with Paul signing back with Warner's Parlophone label for Find El Dorado.

Beyond his work with Paul Weller, Tony Harlow has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of a diverse range of artists.

At V2, he championed acts like The White Stripes, Stereophonics, and Moby, while his leadership at Warner Music Australia saw him help launch the global success of Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa.

His approach has always been artist-centric, blending a keen ear for talent with a progressive vision for the industry - evident in his efforts to support independent musicians through initiatives like Co-Op Music, and his recent investments in regional UK studios and digital innovation at Warner.

Our chat was for my upcoming Dancing Through the Fire - Paul Weller oral history book, and Tony has kindly let me use the audio for an episode of the podcast.

We cover his early days working at Beggars Banquet record shop and going to punk gigs ... to V2 during Paul Weller’s time at the label and the sale of the record label at the point Paul had just finished creating 22 Dreams.

Tony shares his memories of working with Paul, his unique relationship with John Weller, and why he believes Paul remains one of the greatest and most enduring artists of our time.

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Paul Weller’s new album Find El Dorado, out today via Parlophone, is a reflective, quietly radical covers record reinterpreting tracks discovered through late-night listening, friends’ recommendations, and crate-digging, now given a home in his voice.

Produced by Steve Cradock, it features intimate yet polished arrangements and contributions from Declan O’Rourke, Amelia Coburn, Noel Gallagher, Seckou Keita, Robert Plant, Hannah Peel and others.

The album opens with Richie Havens’ haunting ‘Handouts In The Rain’ and journeys through obscurities like ‘Daltry Street’ and ‘One Last Cold Kiss’, reimagined classics such as ‘I Started A Joke’ and ‘Nobody’s Fool’, and finishes as an act of listening and reflection.

It reveals Weller’s enduring creativity – a glimpse into the five-decade journey told in full in my upcoming authorised oral history Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, out 11 September, featuring unheard stories and voices from across his remarkable life.

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In this episode, I’m joined by acclaimed music journalist and broadcaster Pete Paphides to dive into Paul Weller’s new album, Find El Dorado. Pete wrote the liner notes for the album and the cover story for Uncut magazine, so he brings a unique perspective on how the project came together, the inspiration behind the track-list, and why these particular songs were chosen. We talk about Weller’s drive to celebrate lesser-known gems, his collaboration with Steve Cradock (who produces), and the contributions from special guests like Declan O’Rourke, Amelia Coburn, Noel Gallagher, and Robert Plant.

We also explore the wider context of Weller’s career - how his voice has evolved, the influence of folk, soul, and psychedelia on this record, and what makes this album stand apart from his recent releases. There are plenty of stories from behind the scenes, reflections on creative partnerships, and even a look ahead to The Jam’s 50th anniversary and my own upcoming book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire...

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