The XS Noize Podcast

In Episode #192 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Betty Boo about her new album Rip Up The Rulebook .  Rip Up The Rulebook , Betty Boo's fourth studio album, is a tribute to her formative years as a trailblazer in the UK hip-hop scene of the 1980s. She made a name for herself during that era by writing and self-producing music as part of the all-female rap group She Rockers . The...

In Episode #191 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Kav Sandhu from Blitz Vega about their debut album, Northern Gentleman . Northern Gentleman is the debut album by Blitz Vega , a band that Kav Sandhu and The Smiths' legendary bassist Andy  Rourke started in 2016 and officially launched in 2019. Andy Rourke succumbed to pancreatic cancer on May 19, 2023. Andy's posthumous album, N...

In Episode #190 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to legendary bassist Peter Hook, co-founder of Joy Division and New Order. Peter Hook & the Light will soon tour North America, the UK, and Ireland.  The band will perform the full Substance  albums by Joy Division and New Order on live dates . Peter Hook first revisited the seminal Joy Division album  Unknown Pleasures in May 2010 f...

In Episode #189 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Tom Meighan , who returns to discuss his second solo album, Roadrunner, which will be released on September 13th on Blue Rocket Records. Last year, Tom Meighan released his first solo album, The Reckoning . It charted at #17 after hitting the official midweek chart at #2 (behind Ed Sheeran ). Tom and his 5-piece band spent 2023 to...

In Episode #188 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Hifi Sean, one-half of Hifi Sean and David McAlmont, about their new album Daylight . Hifi Sean & David McAlmont proudly present their sophomore album Daylight , an exhilarating suite of twelve songs which celebrates, expresses and explores the colours of summer.  It will be the first of two albums from the duo, with the nocturnal...

In Episode #187 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Dougie Payne from Travis about their new album L.A. Times . Glasgow's multiple BRIT and Ivor Novello-winning songwriting giants Travis return with their tenth studio album, L.A. Times , which the band describe as their most personal album since The Man Who . In this interview, Travis bassist Dougie Payne talks about the writing an...

In Episode #186 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to multi-instrumentalist Rob Marshall about the second Humanist album, On  The Edge Of A Lost And Lonely World, out 26th July via Bella Union. On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World  showcases the vocal talents of several iconic artists, including Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode), Tim Smith (Harp), Isobel Campbell , Ed Harcourt , James Alla...

In Episode #185 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Northern Irish Songstress Janet Devlin. Janet Devlin recently returned with her powerful new country-rock single, 'Emotional Rodeo.' Later this year, she will release her latest album, bearing the same name. Facing her battles with Borderline Personality Disorder and bipolar disorder, Janet captures the essence of what it's like t...

In Episode #184 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to singer/songwriter and indie-dance pop icon Lisa Moorish about her new album, Divine Chaos . This is Moorish's first new music in 20 years, released on the sister label to Irvine Welsh's Jack Said What imprint. Lisa wanted to work with a female co-producer on this new album and teamed up with Zoe Devlin Love (Alabama 3). Renowned p...

In Episode #183 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Sananda Maitreya about his new double album, The Pegasus Project: Pegasus & The Swan. Sananda Maitreya should feel proud of the mesmerising journey his music has taken since Introducing The Hardline brought him to an unsuspecting world in 1987 . Conceived initially as a 13-song guitar-led record staying on bass, drums and two guit...

In Episode #182 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to renowned Pop Artist Gareth Dunlop about his highly anticipated third album, 'Welcome To The House Of I Don't Know.' Welcome To The House Of I Don't Know , invites listeners into the warm embrace of home—the cherished moments with loved ones and the nostalgic echoes of days gone by. Departing in sound from his previous works, Dunlo...

In Episode #181 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to songwriter and producer Bernard Butler to discuss Good Grief – his first new solo album in 25 years. Between then and now, Butler had ventured into the world of pop songwriting and producing, including two seminal albums with folk musician Sam Lee , a Mercury nominated project with actor Jessie Buckley as well as working with Bert...

In Episode #180 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Tim Booth lead singer from JAMES about their latest album YUMMY and writing his debut novel "When I Died for the First Time." JAMES have released their 18th studio album YUMMY which reached number one on the UK Albums Chart after 42 years in the music industry and in March Tim Booth published his first novel When I Died For The Fi...

In Episode #179 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to legendary DJ/Producer Arthur Baker, credited as a leader, pioneer, and trailblazer in electronic music. Masterminding breakthrough experimentation with tape edits and sampling. He left Boston for New York at the start of the 1980s. Initially DJing and producing disco and soul, he was drafted in by  Tommy Boy Records  to produce fo...

In Episode #178 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Tom Bailey from The Thompson Twins about touring to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic album Into The Gap . The Thompson Twins are widely regarded as one of the most iconic bands of the 1980s and provided the soundtrack to many people's lives during that incredible era of music. On the eight-date UK tour in May, Tom wil...

In Episode #177 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to award-winning Dublin singer-songwriter-instrumentalist-dramatist Conor O'Brien of Villagers about the new album That Golden Time. The exquisite new album unfurls Conor O'Brien 's trademark melodic flair, his gift for simultaneously vivid and subtle arrangements and lyrics that couch his hopes, fears and dreams in richly absorbing...

In Episode #176 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Neil Arthur from Blancmange about the career-spanning compilation Everything is Connected (The Best of Blancmange 1979-2024). Blancmange's story is one of two distinct chapters. In the early '80s, they infused the emergent synth-pop scene with oblique lyrics, wry British humour and occasionally tabla-tinged sonics, an unlikely mix...

In Episode #175 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to award-winning Liverpudlian pop singer, and songwriter BANNERS (aka Michael Nelson) about his new album All Back to Mine. BANNERS is known for his effervescent melodies and immensely relatable lyrics about the human condition. With Nelson's latest full-length, All Back to Mine , it's safe to say he owns a market share in feel-good...

In Episode #174 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Neil Finn and Nick Seymour from Crowded House about their eighth studio album 'Gravity Stairs.' Produced by the band with Steven Schram (Paul Kelly, San Cisco), Gravity Stairs shows Crowded House's current incarnation featuring Neil Finn , Nick Seymour , Mitchell Froom , Elroy Finn and Liam Finn . In this interview, Neil Finn and...

In Episode #173 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to Michael Smyth, guitarist and founder of Belfast shoegaze band Virgins, about their highly anticipated debut album 'Nothing Hurt and Everything Was Beautiful'.  The album finds the band exploring a broader sonic palette, seamlessly moving between the gaze-pop of s l o w l y, l o n g and d i s a p p e a r e r to the dance-influenced...

In Episode #172 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar speaks to acclaimed songwriter and former Mansun frontman Paul Draper to discuss his upcoming live shows to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the iconic Mansun album Six. To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of  Six , in April 2024,  Paul Draper  and his live band are hitting the road, playing legendary venues up and down the UK. This will be...

In Episode #171 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is delighted to engage in a captivating conversation with Peter Hooton and Keith Mullin from The Farm. After a triumphant series of festival appearances and the debut of fresh tunes during the summer of 2017,  The Farm  reunited, igniting a resurgence in their recording endeavours. Although their plans for the digital release of the Feel Th...

In Episode #170 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is thrilled to sit down with Guy Garvey, Elbow's illustrious lead vocalist, for an enlightening conversation about their latest masterpiece, AUDIO VERTIGO. March heralds the much-anticipated return of  Elbow  with their tenth studio odyssey,  AUDIO VERTIGO . Crafted throughout 2023 within the intimate confines of the band's studios and Migr...

In Episode #169 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar delves deep into a compelling dialogue with Mollie McGinn and Orlaith Forsythe, the dynamic Irish rock duo behind Dea Matrona. This discussion focuses on their eagerly awaited debut album, 'For Your Sins,' which is set to captivate listeners worldwide on May 3rd. Originating from shared school corridors, Mollie McGinn and Orlaith Forsythe's...

In a riveting Episode #168 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar engages in a dynamic conversation with Phil Etheridge and Jon 'Simmo' Simcox from This Rebel, exploring the depths of their self-titled album released on March 8, 2024, via Jump The Cut Records. Hailing from The Black Country, a region renowned in the UK as the heart of England's Midlands, This Rebel's narrative took root in 2008...