Episode 87: Tom Van Heel – Musician & Keys player for The Paul Weller Band…

With Paul Weller and his band heading out on their latest tour in a matter of days, it’s a real delight to be joined by one of the current line up – singer-songwriter, musician & keys player for PW – Tom Van Heel.
Tom’s entry into the crew is one of my favourite stories yet – what a magical experience so far.
We chat Saturns Pattern through to Fat Pop – live in the U.K., Europe, USA, Canada and Australia…

Have a listen and check out my show notes below for links to Paul and Tom’s other musical ventures…

Click your preferred podcast platform to listen or hit the player below…

Tom’s Recordings with Paul

2015 – Saturns Pattern

Track 4 – Long Time was Tom’s first moment on record with Paul for the album, Saturns Pattern.
Tom is on drums with Paul on vocals, electric guitar & synth, Bill Wheeler on Guitar, Josh McClorey on Slide Guitar, Charles Rees on Bass and Percussion and EGG WHISK!!!

2017 – I’ve Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)

B-side to the single release of Woo Sé Mama is a version of Eddie Floyd’s Stax Records classic.
Tom played keys with the Weller band as we know it these days all in attendance – Paul, Steve Cradock, Steve Pilgrim, Andy Crofts and Ben Gordelier. The band also performed this song on Chris Evans’ Radio 2 Breakfast Show in the same year.

2018 – True Meanings

Tom plays on a few songs for this Weller classic.
Album opener – The Soul Searchers written with Conor O’Brien from Villagers – also features Rod Argent on Hammond Organ with Tom performing backing vocals with Maxine Boxall.
Track 6 – What Would He Say? has Tom on backing vocals and Rhodes Piano.
Track 12 – Movin’ On – a co-write with White Label also features Tom’s backing vocals.

2018 – Other Aspects

Paul Weller performed two extraordinary must-see concerts at The Royal Festival Hall with The London Metropolitan Orchestra, led by Kirsten Klingels and conducted by Hannah Peel. All songs were performed by Paul Weller, Steve Cradock, Andy Crofts, Ben Gordelier and Tom Heel (vocals / keyboards) with an amazing brass section and guest performances on each. The album & DVD is outstanding.

2020 – In Another Room (Ghost Box EP)

Released on 31st January 2020 this 7” vinyl was a limited edition to just 1,000 copies.
The eclecticism of Paul’s career goes without saying and in Ghost Box he found the perfect home to explore his interest in experimental tape music and early electronics. The four tracks here though are more than just experiments. Tape manipulation, field recordings and instrumental passages are artfully arranged to create a gently uncanny & psychedelic atmosphere.
A1 – In Another Room features Tom on Moog Synthesizer with PW.
A2 – Submerge has the addition of Jan Erika on Cello with Tom on Moog Synthesizer again and a Prayerr Bowl for Percussion.
B2 – Rejoice features Tom on Glockenspiel, Drums and Vocals with Charles Rees on Moog Synthesizer.

2020 – On Sunset

On Sunset features ten classic yet modern Paul Weller songs. 
Album opener Mirrorball has Tom on piano & backing vocals & piano whilst Walkin’ has his considerable talents on drum fills & backing vocals with The Staves with Lee Thompson on Sax and Steve Brookes on Guitar. The penultimate track (and first single) – Earth Beat also features Tom on backing vocals with The Staves, Col3trane & Para Orchestra.

2021 – Fat Pop (Volume 1)

Paul released his 16th solo album in the Spring of 2021, just under twelve months after the magnificent, chart-topping On Sunset. Paul added “Volume 1” to keep options open for a second volume in the future.
Tom features on title track Fat Pop with Moog Synthesizer & backing vocals, sings back vocals with Leah Weller on Shades of Blue and backing vocals on Testify, That Pleasure, In Better Times and album closer Still Glides The Stream.

You can watch the recording of FAT POP live – a special 5-track live performance recorded at Noel Gallagher’s London studio. 

2021 – Third Man Records (Single)

In celebration of the opening of Third Man Records London on 25th September, Paul joined a number of other artists to be involved in something pretty unique. A limited 7″ vinyl release saw Paul choose three Motown tracks as a nod to Third Man Records’ Detroit roots: ‘Going to a Go-Go’, ‘Road Runner’ and ‘What Does it Take?’ which he’s covered exclusively for the record. Available to buy on black vinyl, and a very limited edition yellow vinyl (actually more orange in colour) was available only at the opening of Third Man Records London.

A – Going To A Go-Go – Written By – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
B1 – Road Runner – Jr. Walker & The All Stars
B2 – What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) – Written-By – Jr. Walker & The All Stars*

Higher Peaks

Higher Peaks consists of Tom Van Heel and Enrico Berto of the infamous Mushroom Studios. Find out more on their Bandcamp page here.

Tom Van Heel Solo

Tom’s first solo track release High Rise came in December 2020.
With this release, Tom wanted to raise money for Centre Point. Centre Point provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills in order to get them back into education, training and employment. To donate please click the link here.
Written by Tom Van Heel – Mixed & Mastered by Ben Gordelier – Filmed by Tom Van Heel & Amber Jervier

2017 – Monroze

Monroze was a musical project formed in 2015 by Tom Van Heel and Jack Moody.
Enjoy their self titled album “Monroze”.