On the Road and Off the Record: Craig McLean’s Candid Encounters with Paul Weller

Craig McLean joins the podcast to share his reflections on interviewing Paul Weller across several pivotal moments in his solo career.

With bylines for The Face, The Word, The Observer, and The Telegraph, Craig has had rare, in-depth access to Weller – riding tour buses, joining late-night escapades, and catching candid conversations that reveal the wit, vulnerability, and creative drive behind his public persona.

Craig explores Paul Weller’s shifting outlook on fame, songwriting, family, and the demands of a changing industry. Whether discussing the emotional aftermath of John Weller’s passing, the creative ruts and rediscoveries, or Weller’s relentless support for new artists, this episode offers a rich and revealing portrait of an artist in constant motion.

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A Life in Journalism and a Lifelong Weller Witness: Craig’s roots are in Scotland, where he started as a music fan on the outside of the Jam’s core audience – more a heavy rock kid than a “mod,” but Paul Weller’s music quickly became part of his formative soundtrack. He worked his way up from school and university papers, writing for influential Scottish and national music press, including The List, The Cut, Scotland on Sunday, and Vox. He built his national profile at The Face – first as features editor, then Deputy Editor – before going freelance, contributing long-form pieces and profiles to major UK and international outlets like The Observer, The Telegraph, Esquire, and more.

The Power of Longform, Embedded Journalism: Craig first connected with Weller professionally in the early 2000s, at what was in many ways a crossroads for the singer: post-Illumination, in the run-up to Studio 150. Craig’s celebrated cover features (notably for The Word) gave him deep, unfiltered access – travelling with Weller and his band to gigs, sharing meals, downtime, even theatre trips alongside Weller’s circle. His “embedded” style allowed Craig to capture the everyday moments and throwaway details, building a vibrant, three-dimensional portrait.

Weller the Man: More Than the Grumpy Modfather Stereotype: Through these extended interactions, Craig discovered Weller’s warmth, humour, and generosity – qualities often missed in shorter interviews. From pub nights with the band to late-night baby formula chases, Japanese dinners with the Style Council crew, and hand-curated mixtapes from Weller himself, Craig chronicled a deeply human, complex artist never content to coast or repeat himself.

Themes of Creative Restlessness and Personal Vulnerability: Craig’s interviews span key transitional periods – Paul Weller’s feelings of crossroads after leaving Independiente, his creative ruts and rebounds, mourning the loss of his father John and reflecting on new relationships and family life. Weller’s openness with Craig (on topics from faith and family to fashion and drinking) underlines the depth of trust established. Craig’s careful and sensitive approach enables honest, revealing conversations, even around grief and transformation.

A Witness to Weller’s Influence and Curiosity: What stands out in Craig’s account is Weller’s unwavering passion for discovering new music and championing emerging talent, from Amy Winehouse to Adele – the sign of a true music obsessive who always wants to move forward. Paul Weller’s openness to talk about everything, his directness, punchy opinions, and legendary eye for style also shine through – Craig capturing it all with grace, humour, and respect.

Legacy and Relevance: Reflecting on decades of Weller’s work, Craig notes how the singer’s refusal to rest on his laurels, his hunger for reinvention, and his genuine curiosity about the world keep him relevant and vital. From the sharpest suits to the sharpest tunes, Weller remains an artist committed as much to honesty and evolution as to his enduring creative legacy.

The Telegraph – April 2010

The invective is still as sharp as his clothes, but at 51 the ‘Modfather’ is brimming over with love: for his late father, for his youthful girlfriend, and for his country

The Evening Standard – May 2014

Paul Weller: ‘Celebrity culture is bonkers. She’s too thin, she’s too fat. Make up your mind’

Dancing Through the Fire

Craig McLean is one of over 250 contributors to my Sunday Times Bestselling book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, which is available now.
Click on the image below to grab your copy…