Paul Weller Fan Podcast

• Jackson Ducasse - 'Lawdy Rolla' Music Video Director

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Lucy Hooberman - Filmmaker - JerUSAlem and Red Wedge - Days Like These

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Geoff Pesche - Mastering Engineer - Abbey Road - Find El Dorado

  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 WellerGeoff’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 TouchThroughout 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Julian Broad - Photographer & Filmmaker

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Dancing Through the Fire - The Big Reveal

  Join me for the announcement of Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire: The Authorised Oral History by Dan JenningsThe 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 WellerAcross 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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