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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Dean Chalkley is a renowned photographer who, for over three decades, has created authentic and powerful imagery across music, fashion, and culture, capturing everyone from underground pioneers to pop stars with an eye rooted in subcultures like Mod, Northern Soul, and Rudeboy scenes.

Originally trained as a tailor, his deep understanding of personal style and cultural movements has informed projects such as Return of the Rudeboy and Young Souls, while his experimental works like New Perspectives continue to push boundaries.

Dean has photographed some of the most exciting names in the contemporary music world - including Noel Gallagher, Amy Winehouse, Suede, Boy George, Dizzie Rascal, Jay-Z, Richard Ashcroft, and, of course, Paul Weller !

Over the years, he has photographed Paul many times for magazines and supplements like The Sunday Times Magazine, Uncut, and NME, for his record label, his collaborative clothing range with Sunspel in 2021, and most recently for the Find El Dorado album project.

A lifelong Mod himself, Dean brings an insider’s understanding of style, attitude, and cultural nuance to every image he creates.

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My guest on this episode is a true icon – singer, songwriter, DJ, author, and cultural trailblazer – Boy George.

A 20 minute chat to gather stories for my upcoming Paul Weller oral history book - that was so good , I wanted you to hear as a podcast too.

From the early days of seeing Paul on Wardour Street in a sharp blue mod suit, to touring together in Japan with The Style Council and Culture Club, George shares his memories of Weller’s music, their mutual respect, and hilarious tales involving Marilyn, Mick Talbot’s wife, and wild nights out.

Hear how Boy George ended up performing ' One Tear' on Paul Weller's A Kind Revolution album in 2017, and live with the BBC Orchestra for a stunning rendition of 'You’re The Best Thing' for Weller's lockdown gig at the Barbican.

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Martin Carthy MBE is a true icon of British folk music.

In this episode, we explore Martin’s remarkable legacy - a career spanning over six decades - from the 1960s folk revival to ground-breaking collaborations with Steeleye Span, The Watersons, and The Imagined Village (on which Paul, Martin and Eliza Carthy collaborated on 'John Barleycorn'.

We discuss his work with Paul Weller, including the 2018 album True Meanings, where Martin’s guitar graces the track 'Come Along.'

Martin also reflects on the original 1972 recording of Lal Waterson’s haunting 'Never the Same,' recently reimagined by Paul for his upcoming covers album Find the El Dorado.

We also chat about Martin’s new 2025 release Transform Me Then Into a Fish – a full-circle revisit of his 1965 debut album, reimagined for his 84th birthday. It’s a powerful reminder of his enduring artistry and commitment to traditional song.

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On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Brian Protheroe , the man behind the 1974 original of 'Pinball' - Paul Weller's latest single from the upcoming covers album Find El Dorado.

When Paul Weller chose to cover Brian Protheroe’s 1974 debut single 'Pinball' for his latest single and upcoming album Find El Dorado, it wasn’t just a nod to nostalgia - it was an artist recognising a song that had quietly endured for half a century. For Brian, who has straddled a dual career in acting and music, Pinball was never meant to be a pop hit. It was a stream-of-consciousness diary entry, capturing a moment of heartbreak, aimlessness, and Soho wanderings, all strung together without a chorus - just mood, melody, and raw honesty.

Written during a low point in his life - newly single, broke, and living in a flea-ridden Covent Garden flat - his vivid lyrical sketches ('fleas in the bedroom, flies in the bathroom') offered something different to the glam and gloss of the charts. That difference resonated: Pinball landed him on Top of the Pops, and repeated plays from Kenny Everett on his Capital radio show.

Now 81, Brian is still writing and recording, with a remastered vinyl reissue of his debut album Pinball due in August.

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For episode 10 of the podcast’s third season, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jackson Ducasse - a filmmaker who has collaborated with many incredible artists including Dua Lipa, Calum Scott, James Bay, Clean Bandit, New Order, Imagine Dragons, Isaac Gracie, Kelis, Professor Green, Amy Macdonald, Jess Glynne, John Legend, Blondie, Katie Melua and Nile Rodgers. 

Jackson was brought on board by Weller HQ and Parlophone to direct the video for Paul’s latest single, a bluesy, raw reinterpretation of a little-known track called Lawdy Rolla.

The brief? Keep it stylish, simple, and true to Weller’s vision. Shot entirely at Black Barn, the video uses bold colour backdrops and split-screen edits to showcase the instrumental complexity and the cool, effortless energy of Weller, longtime collaborator Steve Cradock and sax player, Kevin Haynes.

We dive into his behind-the-scenes work on the striking video for Paul Weller’s latest single, discussing how the project came about, filming at Black Barn Studio, the challenges of directing music legends, and the thoughtful creative process behind it all. From stylish split-screens to Savile Row suits, it's a fascinating insight into bringing Paul's vision to life on screen.

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On this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I was thrilled to welcome Lucy Hooberman – a documentary filmmaker, journalist, and researcher – to talk about two bold and fascinating chapters in the story of The Style Council: the Red Wedge campaign and their much-debated short film, JerUSAlem.

Lucy brings unique insight. As the producer of both Days Like These (the Red Wedge documentary) and JerUSAlem, she worked closely with Paul Weller during a period of intense creativity, activism, and experimentation. Her recollections offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at a time when pop music was both political and personal.

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What a joy it was to spend time with Abbey Road Mastering Engineer, Geoff Pesche for this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast.

Geoff’s name might not immediately ring bells for every listener – but his sonic fingerprints are all over some of the most significant records in British music history. From the cutting room at Tape One to the mastering suites of Abbey Road Studios, Geoff’s career spans over four decades of audio excellence.

Before we dig into his work with Paul Weller, let’s rewind a bit. Geoff began in the late ’70s as a bike messenger, before quickly stepping into the studio world proper. By the early ’80s, he was mastering tracks at Tape One, where he famously cut the original lacquers for Blue Monday – the best-selling 12” single of all time. He also helped prepare Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms for mass production and later mastered Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head – the most played radio track ever.

Since 2006, Abbey Road has been his home turf, where he’s worked on records by Blur, Gorillaz, Kate Nash, Dizzee Rascal, and Basement Jaxx, to name a few. In short, when you need your album to sparkle, Geoff’s the man to call.

Working with Weller

Geoff’s link to Paul Weller came via Charles Rees, the engineer and studio manager behind the upcoming new album Find El Dorado. Having already collaborated with Charles on music by The Rifles, Geoff was a natural choice when it came time to master Paul’s latest LP. After a few test tracks were exchanged and approved, Geoff took on the full album – bringing clarity, warmth and just the right amount of loudness to the final mixes.

What was particularly fascinating was Geoff’s insight into the process: how files are shared remotely, how mastering has adapted to modern streaming and vinyl needs, and how his job is, as he puts it, “adding the sugar on top.”

The Weller Touch

Throughout our chat, Geoff spoke with genuine admiration for Weller – not just as a musician, but as someone who’s stayed relevant by being musically direct, open to collaboration, and remarkably grounded.

You can hear more about Find El Dorado, Geoff’s incredible discography, and the art of mastering on the full episode – out now on the Paul Weller Fan Podcast.

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What a joy it was to sit down with the brilliant photographer and filmmaker Julian Broad for this episode of the podcast.

Julian has played a huge part in shaping the visual identity of Paul Weller’s solo career, shooting everything from early press photos to iconic album covers including Heliocentric, Sonik Kicks, and Saturns Pattern. We talked about the creative process behind those sleeves, the magic of happy accidents, and what it’s like working with an artist as hands-on and grounded as Paul. No stylists, no entourage – just a clear vision and a real sense of trust.

We also discussed the 1999 Observer shoot with Paul and Noel Gallagher, and the stunning image that now graces the cover of my upcoming book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, out this September.

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Join me for the announcement of Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire: The Authorised Oral History by Dan Jennings

The groundbreaking oral history on one of the most legendary musicians of all time - Paul Weller

‘Nearly 50 years in music? How is that possible? When Dan mentioned that he’d interviewed over 250 people for this, I didn’t even know that I knew that many people… but he’s done it in a way that shows that it’s more than just about me, it’s the story of everyone who was there along the way’ Paul Weller

Across musical history, certain artists have transcended their craft to become cultural icons, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sound and style. Paul Weller, the legendary British musician, singer and songwriter, stands among the select few whose influence spans generations. His enduring popularity, traversing the explosive energy of The Jam to the sophisticated sounds of The Style Council and a prolific solo career spanning over thirty years, underscores the timeless appeal of his work. Weller also holds a unique position in music history: he shares the rare distinction with Lennon and McCartney as one of the few artists to achieve Number 1 albums in five consecutive decades.

Dancing Through the Fire explores the fascinating narrative of Paul Weller’s musical career, weaving together never-before-told stories, intimate insights, and perspectives from the man himself and those who have been integral to his remarkable journey.

With unique access to his inner circle - including family, friends, bandmates, producers, and long-time collaborators - award-winning broadcaster and journalist Dan Jennings weaves together over 200 hours of conversations, allowing exclusive access to the man behind the music, including his unparalleled drive, creative struggles and personal triumphs that have shaped his iconic career and legacy.

Endlessly candid, insightful and definitive in its approach, Dancing Through the Fire captures the essence of Weller’s musical evolution through the voices of those who know him best.

Dan Jennings is a journalist, former radio presenter, and multi-award-winning content creator. His acclaimed Paul Weller Fan Podcast, Desperately Seeking Paul, debuted in December 2020, and featured 180 in-depth interviews, culminating in a two-hour conversation with Weller himself. The series’ success led to Dan’s involvement in the official marketing of Paul’s seventeenth solo studio album, 66, and a nomination for Best Music Podcast at the 2024 Independent Podcast Awards. Dancing Through the Fire is his first book.

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