This week on The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I’m joined by Phil Bickley - founder of London menswear store Tonic and co-creator of the Paul Weller clothing label Real Stars Are Rare.

Phil’s story is a fascinating mix of music, fashion, and friendship.

We talk about how his admiration for The Style Council soundtracked his post-rave comedowns in the early ’90s, how Weller first walked into his shop and bought a belt, and how that encounter led to a full-blown creative partnership.

From sketching ideas on scraps of paper to launching a successful menswear brand, Phil shares what it was like working side by side with one of Britain’s most stylish musicians.

We also explore the challenges of balancing creativity with business realities - and the mutual respect that kept their collaboration grounded.

Phil’s insights into Weller’s eye for clothes, his “upside-down triangle” physique, and the shared spirit behind Real Stars Are Rare offer a new perspective on Paul’s lifelong relationship with style and substance.

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In this conversation for my Dancing Through the Fire book, I chat with Pippa Hall, whose time at Go! Discs saw her at the heart of Paul Weller’s solo resurgence.

Pippa offers a fascinating insight into the inner workings of one of the UK’s most beloved record labels, describing the family atmosphere that made the label so special and the excitement of being part of Weller’s creative rebirth in the 1990s.

We hear about the challenges of getting Paul’s music the attention it deserved in the early days, the thrill of hearing Wild Wood for the first time at The Manor, and the unforgettable experience of working on the Help album at Abbey Road.

Pippa also reflects on the changing landscape of the music industry, the ups and downs of label life, and her enduring friendship with Paul.

From dealing with journalists and press controversies to the personal connections that shaped her career, this conversation is packed with anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories that shed new light on a pivotal era for Paul Weller and British music. 

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Singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams returns to the podcast to talk about her brand-new album Mystery Park - a deeply personal and reflective record that includes a beautiful co-write with Paul Weller, 'Gossamer Wings'. Kathryn shares the story of how the song came together, from her initial “cringe” moment of writing at Paul to their eventual collaboration, which also saw Weller add Hammond organ and backing vocals. We also revisit their earlier work together on 'So Quietly' from his 66 Supplement EP, a track that also featured legendary bassist Danny Thompson.

In our wide-ranging chat, Kathryn reflects on family, songwriting, and creativity - whether that’s balancing life on the road with raising teenage sons, painting her own album cover, or uncovering the emotions behind her lyrics. We also talk about her Patreon community, live shows, and the joy of finding connection through art.

Always funny, thoughtful, and generous, Kathryn offers a warm and honest insight into her music and her collaborations with Weller.

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We’re back! Focusing on Paul Weller’s new covers album, Find El Dorado, with special guests sharing their stories and connections to the songs. Plus, exclusive episodes celebrating the release of my book – Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire: The Authorised Oral History, which has just been published!

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Sir Lenny Henry is a British icon.

For decades, he’s been a force in comedy, acting, writing, and activism.

But what’s less discussed is his deep connection to music - and, in particular, his admiration for Paul Weller and The Jam, The Style Council, and Weller’s solo work.

In another real 'pinch me' moment, I caught up with Lenny for my book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire - The Authorised Oral History to explore this musical thread running through his life and career... including a stand out performance joining The Style Council live on TV and performing a song on Our Favourite Shop!

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Today is the day! Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire is officially out in the world - It’s in the shops, available to order online, people are sharing photos, and Paul himself has a copy in his hands, and he loves it!

I can’t quite believe it. Thanks to everyone involved. What a ride and an honour.

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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.

Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com

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