Paul Weller talks ahead of Birmingham show
He’s enjoying a level of success that eluded even at the so-called peak of his career. Paul Weller is 13 albums into his solo career – and all but his eponymous 1992 debut have reached the UK top five.
Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Paul’s first album, In The City, which he released with The Jam in May 1977. It was the start of a remarkable career in which he enjoyed huge success with The Jam, The Style Council and as a solo artist.
Continuing his never-ending creative peak, Paul released his eagerly awaited 13th studio album, A Kind Revolution, last May and is playing a series of arena shows this spring – including a headline tonight at Birmingham’s Genting Arena.
And while the focus for tonight’s show might well be A Kind Revolution, as well as hits from his stunning back catalogue, the singer-songwriter has already written most of the tracks for the next record.
He has described A Kind Revolution as being about the need for us to be warmer to others.
“I think it’s more to do with human or social politics really.
“It’s like, ‘Where’s the new peace movement?’ It feels like the stirrings of the Second World War and, obviously, we can’t let that happen. So, really, it’s about having some kind of spiritual revolution born out of love, compassion and hope, as opposed to a revolution where everyone slaughters even more of each other.”
The singer is 60 in May and has imbued his music witih characteristic urgency. It’s the way he views songs for his next record. “I wanna try and get it out. I can’t mess about, man. I gotta get on with it. There’s so much to do.”
In addition to A Kind Revolution, Weller also recently released the beautiful soundtrack album to Jawbone, a British boxing film. He enjoyed the process and was pleased with the results.
“That was great. It was a different experience for me since it was the first full-soundtrack album that I’ve ever done. Before, I did individual songs for films, but that was the first time I did an entire musical project for a film. I think the film was amazing as well. It was an independent, London-based film.”
He is not driven by chart-placings, critical acclaim or the winning of awards. All he wants to do is continue to make great music. “My plans are to make some more music and keep doing what I do. Beyond that, I don’t really have any ambitions.”
“I try to be optimistic these days. I try and look for the good things that are happening in my life. I try to appreciate more these days. My motivation is in my children, my wife, my loved ones and my music. My motivation is really that.”
For him, success isn’t about selling truck loads of records, or millions and millions of downloads. It’s about being able to keep his feet on the ground and do the things he loves most – or spend time with the ones he most loves.
“It’s about having some control over your life and being able to dictate where your life and music are going. Also, as a person as well. I’ve had some downs, but generally speaking, I’ve never really been told what to do too much or forced into things that I don’t want to do. So, that’s a form of success for me.”
Paul launched himself onto an unsuspecting world in 1977 with The Jam’s In The City. He was to go on to become one of the most revered music writers and performers of the past 40 years. Along with David Bowie, he has had a more varied, longer-lasting and more determinedly forward-looking career than any of his contemporaries.
Paul has received four Brit Awards, winning the award for Best British Male twice, and in 2006 he won the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
In 2012, he was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his most famous artwork – the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover – to celebrate the British cultural figures of his life.
His career began in a humble fashion. His father, John, was a taxi driver and builder and his mother a part-time cleaner. Paul’s first love was The Beatles and he soon began to listen to The Who and Small Faces.
He cites a Status Quo gig in 1972 as providing him with the motivation to make a career from music and the first incarnation of The Jam soon followed.
