In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Dani Larkin to talk about Next Of Kin — a deeply emotive record shaped by time, patience, and a renewed sense of creative clarity.

Released on 23 January 2026, Next Of Kin marks a bold progression in Larkin's sound and vision. Co-produced with Ruth O'Mahony Brady, the album expands her acclaimed storytelling into a cinematic, emotionally rich landscape that explores life's most universal milestones — from birth and coming of age to love, loss, and acceptance.

Structured as a trilogy, the record moves through distinct phases. Part I traces a journey from darkness toward revelation and youth. Part II sits in the complexity of adulthood, weaving love, fear, doubt, courage, and hope through expansive orchestral arrangements and intimate songwriting. Part III closes with a sense of resolution and homecoming, culminating in the poignant farewell Danny Boy.

In this conversation, Larkin reflects on how releasing her debut Notes For A Maiden Warrior during the COVID era shaped her outlook, and why Next Of Kin feels like a true arrival moment. She talks about patience, self-acceptance, and the importance of creating space — both personally and creatively — between records.

She also discusses the album's lead single End Of It All, a striking and urgent track that blends industrial drum beats, raw guitar, and a haunting reimagining of Row, Row, Row Your Boat — capturing the contradictions, anxiety, and fragile hope of modern life.

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends, innovators, and trailblazers — a place where real conversations meet real stories.

Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured an extraordinary lineup including Sleaford Mods, The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Paul Draper to talk about Mansun Retold — a project shaped by distance, perspective, and the strange experience of meeting your younger self through song. Watch the full video conversation.

Releasing on 20 February, Mansun Retold sees Draper revisit and reimagine key songs from the Mansun catalogue, rebuilding them from the ground up as full-band, acoustic unplugged recordings. Rather than revisiting the past for nostalgia's sake, the album is about clarity — hearing familiar songs anew, stripped of urgency, ego, and expectation.

Recorded at The Loft Studios in Surrey, the album was co-produced by Paul Draper alongside Paul "PDub" Walton (The Cure, U2, Björk, Massive Attack, Oasis). The sessions feature a string quartet arranged and led by Audrey Riley (Muse, Coldplay, Nick Cave), with drums performed by Julian Fenton — Mansun's original early-era drummer. Draper performs acoustic bass, acoustic lead and rhythm guitar, and piano throughout the record.

In this conversation, Draper reflects on the emotional weight of returning to songs so closely tied to his own life, how he decided which tracks felt ready to be retold, and the responsibility he feels toward fans who have lived with this music for decades. He also talks about life beyond music, creative fulfilment, and how Mansun Retold is intended to be experienced — not as a retrospective, but as a living record, rooted firmly in the present.

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends, innovators, and trailblazers — a place where real conversations meet real stories.

Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured an extraordinary lineup including Sleaford Mods, The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.

New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the artists who shape our lives.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Alexander Wolfe to talk about his deeply personal new album Everythinglessness. Watch the full video conversation.

Written after a period of intense personal reckoning — including time spent in a mental health rehabilitation facility in 2023 — Everythinglessness explores masculinity, mental health, and emotional survival. Drawing on experiences of depression, anxiety, and ADHD, Wolfe turns vulnerability into something raw, intimate, and quietly powerful.

Raised in 1990s Woolwich, Wolfe blends observational grit with cinematic songwriting, using analogue textures, layered harmonies, and stark piano lines to create a record that unfolds like a coming-of-age story — moving through grief, identity, and acceptance.

In this conversation, Wolfe reflects on the mindset behind the album, the challenge of expressing softness in a culture shaped by silence and stoicism, and how music became a form of recovery rather than escape.

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends, innovators, and trailblazers — a place where real conversations meet real stories.

Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured an extraordinary lineup including Sleaford Mods, The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.

New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the artists who shape our lives.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Callum Beattie to talk about a pivotal moment in his career and his forthcoming album INDI, released January 23rd.

After landing two consecutive #1 albums on the Scottish Albums Chart, breaking into the UK Albums Chart with 2023's Vandals, clocking up over 50 million streams, and selling more than 100,000 tickets in Scotland, Callum Beattie's rise has been steady, earned, and unmistakable. That journey reached a major milestone with his sold-out headline show at Glasgow's OVO Hydro, his biggest to date.

INDI is his most personal record so far. The album explores inner conflict, self-reflection, and the search for real connection, written with a clarity that comes from trusting instinct rather than chasing expectation. Produced by Joe Cross (Courteeners, The LaFontaines, Louis Tomlinson), the record pairs direct, honest songwriting with a stripped-back confidence that lets the songs breathe.

The Hydro show underlined just how far Callum has come, with The Scotsman describing him as "a Caledonian Sam Fender." Rather than a peak moment, it feels like a line drawn — with 2026 set to scale things even further, including a headline show at Edinburgh Castle and a headline slot at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.

In this conversation, Callum talks openly about writing INDI, the mindset behind the songs, and what it means to arrive at a point where ambition, vulnerability, and belief finally meet. A calm, honest conversation with an artist stepping into his stride.

Listen to Mark Millar's in-depth interview with Callum Beattie now on the XS Noize Podcast.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Jason Williamson, the fiercely articulate frontman of Sleaford Mods, to explore the band's most ambitious and unflinching record yet: The Demise Of Planet X, out 16 January 2026 via Rough Trade Records.

Created with long-time collaborator Andrew Fearn, the album expands the Mods' sound both musically and emotionally, featuring rare and inspired guest appearances from Sue Tompkins (Life Without Buildings), Aldous Harding, Liam Bailey, and Nottingham grime MC Snowy. Their single "The Good Life" introduces a striking new dimension, with Gwendoline Christie (Wednesday / Severance / Game of Thrones) and Midlands duo Big Special lending their voices to its escalating inner monologue.

Blending vivid sonics, acerbic storytelling and pitch-black humour, The Demise Of Planet X imagines the end of the world not through catastrophe, but through the creeping mundanity and absurdities of modern life. It's a ferocious, witty and deeply human response to cultural collapse across 13 tightly wound tracks.

Jason discusses the album's creation, the increasing paranoia and vulnerability in the new material, and the band's most varied musical palette to date. He reflects on the collaborations — from Aldous Harding's feather-light touch on "Elitest G.O.A.T." to Sue Tompkins' beautifully raw presence on "No Touch", from Liam Bailey's soulful turn on "Flood The Zone" to Snowy's razor-edged bars on "Kill List."

At the centre of the conversation is "The Good Life", where Andrew Fearn's tense production meets Williamson's rapid-fire delivery, while Christie and Big Special voice the inner turmoil triggered by Jason's own outspoken moments within the music world.

"Planet X isn't a concept — it's the world we're living in." — Jason Williamson

A bold, biting statement from one of Britain's most vital bands, The Demise Of Planet X captures Sleaford Mods at their sharpest and most emotionally exposed.

Join Jason Williamson as he takes us inside the making of The Demise Of Planet X — the chaos, the craft, and the catharsis — exclusively on the XS Noize Podcast.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Murray — the British writer–director redefining modern music documentary through his bold, cinematic approach.

Following his 2023 short film Now and Then, The Last Beatles Song — made in collaboration with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon and the Harrison Estate to celebrate the release of the Beatles' final single — Oliver continues his creative relationship with the band by directing the brand-new, final chapter of the legendary Anthology series.

First released three decades ago, The Beatles Anthology reinvented the music documentary format. Instead of outside narration and talking heads, it featured John, Paul, George, and Ringo telling their story in their own words — a groundbreaking approach that shaped the way music history is now documented. Under Murray's direction, the series now receives its long-awaited conclusion: Episode Nine, a completely new instalment filled with unseen footage, including intimate behind-the-scenes moments of Paul, George and Ringo reuniting between 1994 and 1995 at Abbey Road.

Oliver discusses how he approached taking on one of the most important music stories ever told, the responsibility of handling unreleased Beatles material, and the emotional legacy carried by Episode Nine — both for the surviving members and for generations of fans discovering the band anew.

"Watching Paul, Ringo and George together in the '90s, the chemistry is exactly the same as when they were young — it's hard-wired. It feels almost scripted, but it isn't. That bond is still alive." — Oliver Murray

A rising force in film and music storytelling, Murray has previously collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including The Rolling Stones (My Life As a Rolling Stone), The Beatles (Now & Then), and Quincy Jones (They All Came Out to Montreux). His work spans genres — from jazz in Ronnie's: The Story of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club to classical music with Lang Lang — and has been featured on Disney, Netflix, and the BBC.

Listen as Oliver Murray takes us inside the making of Episode Nine — revealing unseen moments of Beatles history and the evolution of his craft — exclusively on the XS Noize Podcast. This is the definitive deep dive into the Beatles' final chapter.

"Episode nine concludes the anthology, but it's not an end. The Beatles' legacy isn't a full stop — it's something that's in the groundwater now, something we all inherit." — Oliver Murray

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends, innovators, and trailblazers — a place where real conversations meet real stories.

Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured an extraordinary lineup including The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.

New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the artists who shape our lives.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by legendary producer Steve Lillywhite — the Grammy-winning studio mastermind behind iconic records by U2, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, The Smiths, The Killers, Peter Gabriel, and many more.

Steve talks about the release of a brand-new 4-track EP featuring a completely unreleased live version of "Fairytale of New York" — recorded at Glasgow Barrowlands in December 1987. This historic performance captures the first time The Pogues ever played the song live, and the first time Kirsty MacColl performed it onstage with the band. The EP is released on 12 December.

Recorded by Steve himself — producer of the original version and then-husband of Kirsty MacColl — the Barrowlands tape offers a rare window into the early live life of what has become the UK's favourite Christmas song for over a decade. Originally charting at No. 2 in 1987, "Fairytale of New York" has returned to the UK Top 20 every year since 2005.

Steve reflects on the making of the classic track, the energy of that unforgettable night in Glasgow, and key moments from across his remarkable career.

Listen to Steve Lillywhite discuss the new EP, the legacy of Fairytale of New York, and the stories behind his legendary productions — exclusively on the XS Noize Podcast.

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends and trailblazers — a space where real conversations meet real stories.

Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has welcomed an extraordinary lineup including The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.

New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the artists who shape our lives.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by guitarist and songwriter Cathal Mac Gabhann from Cork alt-rock and shoegaze outfit The Altered Hours — one of Ireland's most vital underground bands.

The Altered Hours released their self-titled third album on November 7th via Pizza Pizza Records. Recorded to tape by analogue producer Julie McLarnon (New Order, Lankum, Happy Mondays), the album captures the band at their most raw, warm, and emotionally direct.

Formed in 2010, the band have carved out a unique place in the European alternative scene through two albums, a run of EPs, and a reputation for immersive, fuzz-drenched live shows. Their independent spirit has earned them admiration from peers and fans alike.

Cathal discusses the band's evolution, the creative shift behind the new record, and how recording to tape has brought out their most dynamic sound yet. He also reflects on touring with Fontaines D.C., playing venues like The Bataclan and Alexandra Palace, and stepping in as their live guitarist across Japan and Australia.

Now signed to Pizza Pizza Records, The Altered Hours step confidently into a new phase — honouring their psych-rock roots while pushing into bolder, more atmospheric territory.

Listen to Cathal Mac Gabhann discuss the making of the new album, the journey behind it, and where The Altered Hours go next — exclusively on the XS Noize Podcast.

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends and trailblazers — a space where real conversations meet real stories.

Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has welcomed an extraordinary lineup including The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.

New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the artists who shape our lives.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Pearce Macca — frontman of Birmingham indie-rockers The Clause, a band whose rise has become one of the most inspiring new stories in modern British guitar music.

The Clause have just unveiled their long-awaited debut album Victim of a Casual Thing — a record built on pure graft, unshakable friendship, and more than a decade of refusing to give in. What started in a cramped school practice room in 2011 — with Pearce Macca, Jonny Fyffe and Niall Fennell learning their favourite songs before Liam Deakin completed the line-up — has grown into a band with a fiercely loyal fanbase and a reputation for electrifying live shows.

Pearce looks back on the full journey: the teenage beginnings, the countless setbacks, the near-misses, the belief that kept them going, and the breakthrough moments that finally pushed the band to album one. He reflects on the stories they've lived together — the wins, the losses, the friendships, the heartbreaks — and how those experiences became the emotional engine of Victim of a Casual Thing.

We also dive into The Clause's rise on the live circuit, from sweatbox early gigs to lighting up festival crowds at Radio 1's Big Weekend, Isle of Wight, Truck, Tramlines, and Rock 'n' Roll Circus. And Pierce takes us inside the making of the album itself — the sound that defines The Clause, the writing and recording process, and why this record feels less like a finish line and more like the start of the real story.

"We've done this the long way — but it's the right way. It's made us the band we are." – Pearce Macca

Listen to Pearce Macca talk about the decade-long journey behind The Clause, the heart and honesty driving Victim of a Casual Thing, and the breakthrough moment they've been chasing — exclusively on the XS Noize Podcast.

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends and trailblazers — a space where real conversations meet real stories. Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has welcomed an extraordinary lineup including The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here.

New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the artists who shape our lives.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Roland Gift — the iconic voice of Fine Young Cannibals and one of the most instantly recognisable singers in British music.

With era-defining hits like "She Drives Me Crazy," "Good Thing," "Johnny Come Home," and their electrifying version of "Ever Fallen In Love," Fine Young Cannibals became global chart-toppers — selling over five million records and earning two BRIT Awards, an Ivor Novello, and three Grammy nominations. Their sharp, soulful sound continues to influence generations.

Roland returns with two major releases — FYC40, a definitive 40-year anthology, and his brand-new festive single "Everybody Knows It's Christmas", showcasing that unmistakable voice in glorious form.

Roland looks back on the band's beginnings, the explosive success of The Raw & The Cooked, and how his Otis Redding-inspired delivery fused with David Steele and Andy Cox's songwriting to create something completely unique. He also reflects on Fine Young Cannibals' continued cultural impact — including "She Drives Me Crazy" becoming the musical centrepiece of the 2025 Chanel campaign starring Dua Lipa and Jennie from BLACKPINK.

We also talk about Roland's return to performing — touring with Jools Holland, shining at the 2022 Hootenanny, and his triumphant 40 Years of Songs tour, which launched with a sold-out London Palladium show.

And we dive into "Everybody Knows It's Christmas" — a glam-rock, wall-of-sound celebration co-written with Ben Barson, full of warmth, nostalgia, and classic Roland soul.

"Wherever you are I hope this song brings a bit of warmth, a smile, and maybe a bit of that Christmas magic your way." – Roland Gift

Listen to Roland Gift discuss 40 years of Fine Young Cannibals, the making of FYC40, and the joy behind his new Christmas single — exclusively on the XS Noize Podcast.

With over 250 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends and trailblazers — a space where real conversations meet real stories. Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has welcomed an extraordinary lineup including The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, and Michael Head — among many more.

Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here

New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the artists who shape our lives.