Sean O’Hagan – The High Llamas, String Arranger on Paul Weller’s Sonik Kicks

In this episode, Sean O’Hagan – a songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist whose career has quietly woven its way through some of the most adventurous corners of pop and indie music. Born to Irish parents in England and raised in Cork, Sean first made his mark as half of the acclaimed duo Microdisney, whose blend of sharp political songwriting and lush pop arrangements quickly earned them cult status in the 1980s indie scene. After relocating to London, he went on to found avant-pop band The High Llamas in 1992, drawing on influences from the Beach Boys and Ennio Morricone to Brazilian bossa nova and the experimental fringes of electronica.

Sean’s fingerprints are all over a wide range of influential and adventurous music, from his work as a key Stereolab collaborator and official band member, to the Turn On project with Tim Gane, film soundtracks, and a consistent run of inventive solo records. He’s a sought-after string arranger whose knack for transporting classic sounds into new territories led him to work with Paul Weller on the critically acclaimed album Sonik Kicks, contributing the elegant, evocative string arrangements on ‘Sleep of the Serene’ and ‘By the Waters.’

In our conversation, Sean shares what draws him to Paul Weller’s restless creativity, how collaboration and curiosity remain at the heart of his process, and what it takes to keep making fresh, meaningful music after decades in the game.

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A Shared Love of Music Without Boundaries: Sean’s path into music began in the early 1980s amidst the explosion of British pop, but it was The Style Council’s innovative blend of genres that really caught his ear. He reflects on Paul Weller as an instinctive “Mod Magpie” – always open to new sounds and influences, whether Brazilian, African, French, or British psych, and always evolving far beyond rock or pop clichés.

How the Collaboration Began: The connection with Paul Weller traces back to Sean’s arrangement work with The Coral – a project that caught Paul’s attention, leading to a personal call to collaborate. What followed was a hands-on, musically rich exchange: Weller turning up in Peckham himself rather than going through managers, trading tracks and ideas, and working closely to shape the string arrangements for Sonik Kicks. Sean remembers their sessions as genuinely inspiring, marked by trust, creative openness, and attention to detail.

Arranging Sonik Kicks: Sean’s contributions to ‘Sleep of the Serene’ and ‘By the Waters’ brought a new depth to Weller’s sonic palette. Weller encouraged Sean to be bold and direct – refining the arrangements with clarity and artistic confidence. ‘By the Waters’ aimed to channel the spirit of Nick Drake’s classic harmonies and lush minimalism, while ‘Sleep of the Serene’ drew on the experimental English textures of Broadcast – anchoring all in a distinctly English musical tradition.

Mutual Respect and Musical Curiosity: Sean describes a friendship built on musical curiosity – hours spent trading tracks, exploring everything from Tropicalia to contemporary hip-hop, and pushing each other to keep learning. They were united by a refusal to be trapped by nostalgia, with both artists always hungry for “what’s next” and committed to remaining creatively restless.

Creative Process and Professional Evolution: With a background grounded in punk attitude and DIY learning, Sean grew through bands like Microdisney and his later orchestral pop adventures with The High Llamas. He brought this eclectic background to arranging and production, constantly adapting new influences into his own unique sound.

Legacy and New Adventures: Sean’s work with Paul Weller sits alongside collaborations with artists like The Coral, The Charlatans, and more – each project reflecting a passion for arrangement and a willingness to chase “the golden age” of music, wherever it might be happening now. As he puts it, the classic years aren’t just in the past—they can be now, if you remain open.

High Llamas – Hey Panda

Dancing Through the Fire

Sean O’Hagan 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…