Paul Weller Rocks On: From Modfather to Granddad with Billie Eilish Vibes

Paul Weller, a well-known British musician who is now 67 years old, is preparing to release a new album called 'Weller At The BBC Volume 2. ' This album is a collection of live performances recorded for the BBC between 2008 and 2024. Weller, who first became famous as the lead singer of The Jam, is often called 'The Modfather' because of his influence on the mod revival in the late 1970s. As he gets ready to share his new music, Weller says he feels lucky to be 'just another granddad. ' He has two grandchildren and enjoys seeing his family grow. He says he is always looking for ways to develop his music and try new things. The new album features some of his classic hits as well as covers of songs by other artists. One of the songs he covers is Billie Eilish's 'What Was I Made For? ' from the 2023 Barbie movie. Weller says he heard the song a lot at home because his youngest daughter is a big fan of Billie Eilish. He really likes the melody and lyrics of the song and thought it would be a great one to cover. He also knew his daughter would be excited to hear his version.

Weller remembers his early days as a musician. He talks about his first gig as a teenager, which took place at the Woking Working Men's Club. There were only about 10 people in the audience, and most of them were older men who were not very interested in the music. They complained about the noise, but after playing bingo and having a few drinks, they started to dance a little. Weller says it was a big deal for him and his band because it was the first time they performed their own songs in front of an audience. Now, Weller has a studio in Ripley where he recorded some of the sessions for his new album. He describes it as a great creative space where he feels free to experiment and create new music.

Even though he is now a grandfather, Weller does not see himself as a 'cool granddad. ' He says he is just another granddad who enjoys seeing the next generation grow up. He feels very lucky to have a big family and to share his love of music with them. Weller has eight children, and while he sometimes recommends songs to them, he does not try to teach them about music. Instead, he says that sharing music is a two-way street. His children listen to new music but also know some old and obscure tunes from genres like soul and jazz. Weller notices that young people today do not put music into categories as much as his generation did. They are open to all kinds of music, which he thinks is a positive change. Weller also shares that he has stopped drinking alcohol, which has helped him appreciate his music even more. He feels more aware and grateful for his career. As he releases his new album, Weller is excited for fans to hear his live performances and the songs he has chosen to cover. He hopes his music will continue to inspire people of all ages.