The XS Noize Podcast

In episode #117 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with EMF frontman  James Atkin  to talk about his 6th solo album 'Circadian Rhythms.' James Atkin is responsible for singing one of the biggest hits of all-time –  Unbelievable . With his band  EMF . The song can still be found all over the airwaves, in blockbuster films and advertisements more than 30 years later. He went on to have...

In episode #116 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with The Slow Readers Club's Aaron Starkie to talk about their new record 'Knowledge Freedom Power' out on February 24th, 2023. Nothing – not despots, pandemics, self-destruction or the rise of the machines – can keep a good band down. So, when The Slow Readers Club hit the studio in early 2022 with producer Joe Cross (Hurts / Courtee...

In episode #115 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Bristol-based songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Tor Maries AKA  Billy Nomates  to talk about her latest album CACTI. Recorded at her flat and Invada Studios, CACTI is a huge step up for the artist, who received widespread critical acclaim for her eponymous 2020 debut album, with heavy airplay across BBC Radio 6 Music...

In episode #114 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Ricky Warwick of masters of anthemic rock 'n' roll Black Star Riders to talk about their fifth album 'The Wrong Side of Paradise'. Black Star Riders celebrate their 10th anniversary this year with 'The Wrong Side of Paradise' and a string of UK dates. The Album, featuring 11 tracks, was recorded in the Autumn of 2021 at Studio 60...

In episode #113 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with alternative Indie artist from Northern Ireland, Thom Southern, about his brilliant debut album PLAZA, which was released at the beginning of 2022.  Thom Southern started his musical career busking in Belfast city centre aged 16. He later teamed up with his sister Lucy to form the band Southern and MMODE, and this year he released...

In episode #112 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Lach Galbraith from Aussie rockers Ocean Alley to talk about their fourth album, Low Altitude Living. The album follows the band's hugely successful UK Tour earlier this year, which included a sold-out show at London's iconic Roundhouse. In this interview, Ocean Alley keyboard player and vocalist Lach Galbraith talks about how th...

In episode #111 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with legendary music producer Danny Saber who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Michael Hutchence, Shaun Ryder, Joe Strummer, Marilyn Manson and Ozzy Osbourne, not to mention The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, U2 and Madonna. In this interview, Danny shares stories about his experiences working with those art...

In episode #110 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Ride guitarist and songwriter Andy Bell who has released a series of EPs featuring remixes, acoustic versions and covers of songs that inspired his second solo album, Flicker, released on Sonic Cathedral to great acclaim. In this interview, Andy Bell talks about all of the above and the recent reissues from Ride , recording Going...

In episode #109 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings, who team up once again to release their third album together ' The Butterfly Effect. ' In this interview, Bruce and Russell talk about writing and recording The Butterfly Effect through lockdown, their musical influences, playing live with their band From the Jam and lots more. Check out the art...

In episode #108 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with experimental folk songwriter and producer Joshua Burnside to talk about his new EP, Late Afternoon In The Meadow (1887). In this interview, Joshua talks about writing and recording Late Afternoon In The Meadow (1887), becoming a Father, his biggest headline show to date at Belfast's iconic Ulster Hall on December 23rd and lots mo...

In episode #107 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Koen van de Wardt from Dutch sonic explorers Klangstof to talk about their new album - 'Godspeed To The Freaks' Going deeper, darker and more unpredictable while bringing their live energy to their studio recordings has paid off for Klangstof . They've enjoyed a summer of significant shows as guests to Pixies , including Manchest...

In episode #106 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Simple Minds guitar maestro Charlie Burchill to talk about their 18 th studio album –  Direction of the Heart, released on 21 October. Direction Of The Heart is Simple Minds' first album of new material since 2018's outstanding UK Top 5 album Walk Between Worlds . Throughout its nine tracks, Direction of The Heart finds the band...

In episode #105 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with The Lightning Seeds' Ian Broudie to talk about 'See You In The Stars', their first album on the new label BMG - out October 14th. It's been more than a decade since The Lightning Seeds released a new album, but this October, they will release 'See You In The Stars' alongside a 14-date UK tour kicking off October 27th in Cambridge...

In episode #104 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with The Big Pink's Robbie Furze to talk about their long-awaited third studio album, 'The Love That's Ours' - their first studio album in ten years. After making a rapturous comeback earlier this year with their stunning new singles, 'No Angels' and 'Love Spins On Its Axis', The Big Pink have released their long-awaited third studio...

In episode #103 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with award-winning Derry songwriter and performer ROE to talk about her fantastic debut album' That's When The Panic Sets In'. In this interview, ROE talks about re-emerging with a new sound after she scraps an album's worth of material, how her native city Derry has influenced her music, mental health, touring and much more. Check ou...

In episode #102 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Tim Wheeler from Ash about the reissue of their hugely successful and beloved third album Free All Angels.  Free All Angels was the third hit album from Ash and the second with guitarist Charlotte Hatherley . The album reached #1 in the Official UK Albums Chart and has since gone on to achieve platinum status. It birthed the Ivor...

In episode #101 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with singer-songwriter Lissie to talk about her new American-tinged indie folk album Carving Canyons.  Lissie appeared in the TV shows Twin Peaks & Loudermilk . She co-owns a pop music genre-themed popcorn company Otts Pops Indie Pop , as well as living on, managing & conserving 45 acres in NE, Iowa. Carving Canyons is a sonic comfort...

In episode #100 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with singer/songwriter Midge Ure to talk about the box set release of Ultravox's album, Rage In Eden. Midge Ure is a unique artist in today's music world. He has achieved a successful and varied career from being in the bands Slick , The Rich Kids , Ultravox , Visage , and Thin Lizzy , to co-writing " Do They Know It's Christmas " - t...

In episode #99 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Craig and Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers. Thirty-five years since the release of their landmark debut album, This Is The Story , and 34 since the release of Sunshine On Leith , the second album that made them international stars, The Proclaimers, are back with their 12th studio album. And, at the ripe young age of 60, the fire an...

In episode #98 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Supergrass bassist Mick Quinn to talk about the remastered, expanded version of their hugely successful eponymous 1999 third album 'Supergrass' often referred to as The X-Ray Album, which includes the top 10 hit tracks Moving, Pumping On Your Stereo & Mary. In this interview, Mick Quinn talks about writing and recording the album,...

In episode #97 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Counting Crows lead singer Adam Duritz ahead of their show at 3Arena, Dublin, on October 18 2022. Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide for over two decades with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock & roll. In this interview, Adam Duritz talks about playing Dublin on their 'Butter Miracle Tour 20...

In episode #96 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt about her long-awaited and eagerly anticipated third studio album Älskar. Nina Nesbitt is set to take her continuing rising star status to the next level with the release of her third studio album 'Älskar' In this interview, Nina talks about writing and recording Älskar during the pandemic,...

In episode #95 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Toyah Willcox. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Toyah Willcox has had eight top 40 singles, released over 20 albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and ten feature films, and voiced and presented numerous television shows. In this interview, Toyah talks about supporting Billy Idol on his UK Arena tour,...

In episode #94 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Evan Westfall from Ohio-based folk-rock outfit Caamp to talk about their latest album Lavender Days and upcoming UK and European tour. In this interview, Evan talks about writing and recording the album during the lockdown, musical influences and their upcoming UK and Ireland tour.

In episode #93 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Fran Healy from Travis about their live shows in Derry and Belfast and the 21st anniversary of their classic album The Invisible Band. In this interview, Fran Healy talks about writing and recording "The Invisible Band", playing Derry, Northern Ireland, for the first time, being involved in an attempted carjacking in LA and lots m...