The XS Noize Podcast

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...

In Episode #205 of  The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar chats with Tony Mortimer to discuss The 30th Anniversary of The East 17 Christmas Classic 'Stay Another Day'  East 17's Stay Another Day  is a beloved Christmas classic. It spent five weeks at #1 in 1994, surpassing  Mariah Carey's   All I Want for Christmas Is You . It achieved double-platinum status, topped charts in eight countries, an...

In Episode #204 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar chats with Phil Etheridge from The Twang to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their second album, Jewellery Quarter . Originally released in 2009, Jewellery Quarter debuted at No. 20 on the UK charts and featured standout singles like Barney Rubble and Encouraging Sign . The album also delivered fan favourites such as Took the Fun and Back...

In Episode #203 of The XS Noize Podcast , host Mark Millar interviews Anton Newcombe, the visionary founder and driving force behind the legendary Brian Jonestown Massacre, one of the most compelling bands in modern music. A true Renaissance figure, Anton Newcombe is not only a frontman and prolific songwriter but also a composer, producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, studio owner, and dedica...

In Episode #202 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Louisa Roach, the frontwoman of She Drew the Gun, about her new album, Howl . Howl is  She Drew The Gun's fourth album , delving into a visceral musical landscape shaped by influences as diverse as 80s electronica, hip-hop, political poetry, and cosmic Scouse psychedelia. In this episode, Louisa Roach shares insights into the alb...

In Episode #201 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews acclaimed singer-songwriter Ryan McMullan about his long-awaited debut album Redesign . Early in his career, Ryan McMullan earned praise from icons like Ed Sheeran , who called his voice a "rare jewel," and Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol , who described it as angelic. His rise was remarkable, from supporting Sheeran to selling out...

In Episode #200 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews acclaimed Northern Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery about his stunning new album Light Entertainment . Light Entertainment , Lavery's fifth studio album and first since 2020's acclaimed Plz Stay, bb , is his most multi-layered work yet. It features his trademark wit and invites listeners into a strange, intense world. Shaun...

In Episode #199 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Hard-Fi frontman Richard Archer about their forthcoming Don't Go Making Plans EP . Hard-Fi makes a highly anticipated return with their new Don't Go Making Plans EP , marking their first release of new material in a decade. The band will embark on an extensive UK headline tour this November to celebrate. Hard-Fi has been a major...

In Episode #198 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Irish artist Sister Ghost about her long-awaited debut album, Beyond The Water . Recorded in Los Angeles in the summer of 2022 with producer Brad Wood , Beyond The Water captures years of hard work and resilience honed in the underground music scene. This album is a dynamic portrait of Sister Ghost in her 20s, reflecting her jour...

In Episode #197 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Wendy James about her new album,  The Shape Of History . English singer-songwriter  Wendy James  burst onto the British music scene in 1988 as the bold and dynamic frontwoman of the chart-topping alt-rock band  Transvision Vamp . Wendy  is set to release her highly anticipated new album,  The Shape of History,  on October 25th. W...

In Episode #196 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Irish renaissance man Gavin Friday about his highly anticipated new solo album  Ecce Homo  out 25th October. The new album – produced by Soft Cell's Dave Ball and Michael Heffernan – marks his first since 2011's  Catholic .  Gavin Friday , founding frontman of cult Irish post-punk band  Virgin Prunes , has had a genre-defying, fo...

In Episode #195 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews James Cox and Steve Goddard from Crows about their third studio album,  Reason Enough . On Reason Enough , Crows punk spirit remains intact. Sonically, they are more refined and cohesive than ever; it's the most mature Crows have ever sounded – and more melodic than what the 4-piece have previously done. In this interview, James...

In Episode #194 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar sits down with Eddi Reader and Mark Nevin of Fairground Attraction to discuss Beautiful Happening , their first album in 35 years. Fairground Attraction is best known for their 1988 Number 1 hit, Perfect , as well as their two BRIT Awards and platinum-selling debut album. However, the band split shortly after their success and didn't speak...

In Episode #193 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Mat Peters from Manchester four-piece IST IST about their fourth studio album, Light a Bigger Fire . IST IST will release its eagerly anticipated fourth album, Light A Bigger Fire , on Friday, September 20th. It is the follow-up to the Top 50 record Protagonists . IST IST  has forged a formidable reputation from uncompromisingly i...