The XS Noize Podcast

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by British pop icon Chesney Hawkes. Best known for his timeless hit 'The One and Only' , Chesney talks about the momentum behind his new music — including the Radio 2 A-list success of 'Get A Hold of Yourself' . He dives into his new album ,  Living Arrows, out now. It is a raw and heartfelt collection inspired by Kahlil Gibran's...

In Episode #228 of the XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by English singer-songwriter Will Varley to discuss his upcoming seventh album, Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me , out 30th May 2025. Recorded in a ramshackle Kent swamp studio with longtime collaborator Tom Farrer , the album introduces a bold new sound, pairing lush, cinematic production with Varley's tra...

XS Noize Podcast Episode #227: Sea Fever – Phil Cunningham, Tom Chapman, and Beth Cassidy on Surface Sound , Musical Chemistry, and Honouring Denise Johnson In Episode #227 of the XS Noize Music Podcast , host Mark Millar is joined by Phil Cunningham , Tom Chapman , and Beth Cassidy of the genre-blending band Sea Fever to talk about their powerful second album, Surface Sound . Sea Fever is a five-...

In Episode 226 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar chats with writer and director Matt Aston about Reception: The Wedding Present Musical — a brand new stage production inspired by the music of David Gedge, The Wedding Present, and Cinerama. The show, running from August 22 – September 6 at The Warehouse at Holbeck, Leeds , celebrates The Wedding Present's 40th anniversary with a story of friends...

In Episode 225 of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Olly Knights, frontman of the acclaimed South London band Turin Brakes. With seven UK Top 40 singles , six Top 40 albums , and over a million records sold worldwide , Turin Brakes have built a lasting legacy rooted in emotional songwriting, rich harmonies, and fearless sonic exploration. Now, they return with Spacehopper , their...

In this episode of the XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Paul Connolly, frontman of incendiary Derry alt-rock band The Wood Burning Savages, to discuss their explosive new album 'Hand To Mouth'. Renowned for their guitar-driven political rock and blistering live performances , the band returns with their long-awaited second album — the powerful follow-up to their 2018 debut 'St...

On this week's episode of the XS Noize Music Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter David Gray to discuss the early days of his career, his upcoming Greatest Hits collection, and his first live shows in over two years. David Gray has announced his long-awaited return to the UK stage with a series of intimate acoustic solo performances in support of his forthcoming Greatest H...

Acclaimed British singer-songwriter Tom Hickox joins Mark Millar on the latest episode of the XS Noize Music Podcast to delve into his highly anticipated third album, The Orchestra of Stories , out 25 April 2025 via Family Tree Records. Marking his return after a four-year hiatus, Hickox unveils a sweeping, cinematic collection of songs that fuse myth, memory, history, and heart . In this in-depth...

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar chats with Saint Leonard—the visionary artist formerly known as Kieran Leonard—about the extraordinary journey that led to his third and most ambitious album, The Golden Hour . From recording his debut ,  Good Luck Everybody,  at  Stanley Kubrick's historic home to  headlining sold-out shows at London's  The Windmill  and  Third Man Records  and...

In this explosive new episode of The XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar welcomes back punk rock legend John Lydon — best known as Johnny Rotten, frontman of the iconic Sex Pistols and founder of the groundbreaking Public Image Ltd (PiL). Now making his third appearance on the podcast, Lydon returns with even more fire. He reflects on his influential career and opens up about deeply personal...

In this episode of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar sits down with Will Sergeant , the legendary guitarist of Echo & The Bunnymen , to discuss his pioneering contributions to post-punk and alternative music . Will's distinctive guitar sound helped shape timeless albums like Crocodiles , Heaven Up Here , and Ocean Rain , influencing generations of musicians with his atmospheric , hypnotic ,...

In episode #219 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar sits down with Simon Fowler , the legendary frontman of Ocean Colour Scene , to discuss the band's incredible legacy, upcoming UK tour, acoustic shows, and exciting new music. As one of the most successful and influential bands of the Britpop era , Ocean Colour Scene achieved three consecutive Top 5 albums— Moseley Shoals (1996), Marchin'...

In episode #218 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar interviews Graham Coxon  and Rose Elinor Dougall , the duo behind The WAEVE . Known for their cinematic blend of British folk-rock, post-punk, and freeform songwriting , The WAEVE's music explores themes of oblivion, surrender, hope, and defiance in a turbulent world. Following their acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2023 and their seco...

In this episode of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar interviews Dave Pen , one-half of the anthemic electro-prog duo We Are Bodies and a key member of Archive and BirdPen . Dave Pen and Robin Foster , a France-based composer and multi-instrumentalist, first teamed up in 2011. Their long-awaited second album as We Are Bodies , The Love Was All We Had , started as a pandemic project and grew i...

In this episode of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar sits down with Gary Kemp —legendary songwriter, guitarist, and Spandau Ballet co-founder—to discuss his highly anticipated third solo album, This Destination . As one of the UK's most successful songwriters , Gary wrote 23 hit singles for Spandau Ballet , including iconic classics "True" and "Gold" —helping the band sell over 25 million re...

In this episode of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar chats with Andy Burrows from Razorlight about their highly anticipated new album, Planet Nowhere , and the revealing documentary Fall to Pieces . Razorlight helped define the indie-rock sound of the early 2000s with anthems like Golden Touch , Somewhere Else , and America .  Their impact on British music is undeniable, with three Top 5 alb...

In Episode #214 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar speaks with Finn Andrews , the acclaimed frontman of The Veils , about their seventh studio album, 'Asphodels' . Finn Andrews, recognised as one of the most compelling songwriters of his generation, has released seven albums with The Veils  and a  solo record .  Asphodels  continues his legacy of poetic lyricism , elevated by orchestral ar...

In Episode #213 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar sits down with Andy and Jez Williams of DOVES to discuss their long-awaited new album, Constellations For The Lonely . This marks DOVES' first new music in over four years , featuring the singles "Renegade," "Cold Dreaming," and "Saint Teresa." The highly anticipated 10-track album will be released on Friday, 28 February 2025 . In this exc...

In Episode #212 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar chats with ex-Kaiser Chiefs drummer and songwriter Nick Hodgson about the debut album from his new band, Everyone Says Hi . Marking an exciting new chapter for Hodgson, Everyone Says Hi sees him stepping into the spotlight alongside a stellar lineup: Pete Denton (bass), Glenn Moule (drums), Ben Gordon (keyboards), and Tom Dawson (guitar)....

In Episode #211 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks with James and Jack Yates from Pastel to discuss their mesmerising debut album, Souls in Motion . Manchester's Pastel have built a formidable reputation on their terms, achieving #1 and #2 positions on the Official Vinyl Singles Chart with their two EPs and earning a coveted invitation to support the legendary Liam Gallagher at his i...

In Episode #210 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks with Irish No-Wave Provocateur Skinner about his debut album, New Wave Vaudeville . Skinner kicks off 2025 with the release of his highly anticipated debut album, New Wave Vaudevill e. The project of Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer Aaron Corcoran , Skinner draws inspiration from the New York No Wave scene of...

In Episode #209 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks with Mark Morriss of The Bluetones about the band's eagerly awaited return to music after a 14-year hiatus. The conversation delves into the story behind their latest releases and what fans can expect from their comeback. The Bluetones have returned triumphantly with their first new music since 2010. The new EP, which begins a trilog...

In Episode #208 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar sits down with THE MAGIC MOD, also known as Ben Taylor, to delve into the world of magic and discuss his upcoming headline show at The Limelight in Belfast on Saturday, January 18, 2025. THE MAGIC MOD  is a celebrated card magician and entertainer, proudly a member of the prestigious Magic Circle . Hailing from Crawley in South London and n...

In Episode #207 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar chats with Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne to delve into the stories and inspirations behind their latest album, The Night . Saint Etienne's twelfth album, The Night , released via Heavenly Recordings , offers an ambient escape from modern life's chaos. A follow-up to 2021's I've Been Trying to Tell You , it delivers layered tranquillity...

In Episode #206 of  The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar chats with Rob Fleming, one half of Killerstar, to discuss  KillerStar Reimagined ,  the reworks album. KillerStar's debut album earned widespread acclaim for blending art rock innovation with timeless classic rock. Now, the band unveils  KillerStar Reimagined , a reworked collection that deepens their vision. KillerStar is a new band led...