In the dynamic world of music, a few trailblazers stand out, reshaping the industry with their audacious ideas and unshakeable passion. Andy Macdonald - the maverick behind the Go Discs and Independiente record labels - is undeniably one such luminary. With a knack for spotting raw talent and an unwavering commitment to artistic authenticity, Andy is one of the most successful UK independent music entrepreneurs of the modern era. In this World Exclusive Podcast conversation, we discover how his early interactions with the music industry at Stiff Records exposed him to the inner workings of record labels and the art of artist development. We learn how his journey in the business was kick-started through a strong passion for discovering and nurturing talent and a conversation that lit the fuse... And for the first time, Andy shares his experiences with Paul Weller. From signing him to Go Discs in 1992 and the release of their first single together "Uh Huh Oh Yeh!". This was the song that open up my world to Weller and what a journey it was in the 90s!. That debut solo album (via a Japanese record label) to Wild Wood and then the huge success of Stanley Road. We'll hear how they continued to work together through Heavy Soul and Heliocentric, despite the Polygram takeover of the label, and then onto a new venture - Independiente with the album's Days of Speed and Illumination. Founded in 1983, Go Discs quickly established itself as a breeding ground for innovative and groundbreaking artists. Andy's vision was simple yet profound: to provide a platform for artists to express their creativity without compromising their artistic integrity. This ethos resonated deeply with musicians and listeners alike, setting Go Discs Records apart from its contemporaries. Key signings included Billy Bragg, The Housemartins, The LAs, Madness, Beautiful South and of course, Paul Weller. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.