In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Dave Pen of Archive to talk about Glass Minds — the band's 13th studio album and a bold new chapter in a 30-year journey defined by reinvention, collaboration and creative risk.

Formed in Croydon, South London in 1994, Archive have evolved from trip-hop pioneers into one of Europe's most respected alternative collectives. Glass Minds, released Friday 27th February 2026 via Dangervisit through [PIAS], follows the ambitious 2022 triple-album Call to Arms & Angels, which charted Top 10 across Europe and culminated in their biggest headline show to date at Paris' Accor Arena.

Produced by Archive alongside long-time collaborator Jerome Devoise, and recorded in Brighton, London and Paris, Glass Minds marks a shift toward a more minimal, down-tempo sound — built on space and emotional weight. New textures emerge through Essex rapper Jimmy Collins on "Heads Are Gonna Roll," while Lisa Mottram shines on the title track and "The Love The Light." At its core is the eight-minute "So Far From Losing You," one of the band's most personal and expansive pieces to date.

In this conversation, Dave Pen reflects on joining Archive and becoming part of a true creative collective. He discusses the trust and experimentation that shape the band's process, the evolution of their sound over three decades, embracing AI in the album's visual identity, and why live performance remains the ultimate space where Archive's songs continue to grow and transform.

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 Paul Draper, 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.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's third album Howl was a risk — one that nearly broke the band.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Robert Levon Been to revisit the record that stripped away the noise and reshaped their identity.

Originally released in 2005, Howl arrived as an unexpected curveball. The reverb-drenched guitars and white noise that defined the band's early records were stripped back, replaced with folk, blues and gospel-inspired arrangements built around space, restraint and raw emotion. It was a risk — one that confused some at the time, but has since come to feel essential within the band's catalogue.

In this conversation, Robert Levon Been reflects on the creative decisions that shaped the album, the deliberate use of silence and atmosphere, and how stepping away from distortion opened up a deeper emotional register in the songwriting.

He discusses the impact of critical reception, the perspective that comes with revisiting the record years later, and what it feels like to bring that material back to life on tour.

Robert also shares insights into the band's current creative landscape, highlights key entry points for new listeners, and speaks about protecting the spirit of music in an era driven by speed and algorithms.

A thoughtful and reflective conversation about evolution, instinct, and trusting your creative compass — even when it takes you somewhere unexpected.

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 Paul Draper, 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 Mark Shaw of Then Jerico to talk about The Return — a moment that reconnects legacy, live energy, and purpose as the band bring their full show to Ireland for the first time.

Watch the full XS Noize Podcast conversation below.

Then Jerico are currently touring the UK and Europe, with debut full-band Irish headline shows at Belfast's Limelight 2 on Thursday 19 February and Dublin's Whelan's Main Room on Friday 20 February 2026. The tour features a 90-minute set spanning the band's classic first two albums — First (The Sound of Music) and The Big Area (Outside) — alongside material from Mark Shaw's 1990s solo releases.

In this conversation, Mark Shaw reflects on a four-decade journey through success, setbacks, and survival. He talks about the importance of audience connection, shaping setlists that balance momentum with meaning, and the breakthrough impact of Big Area. Shaw also opens up about carrying the legacy of Then Jerico as the sole founder, revisiting early recordings and B-sides with fresh perspective, and why he's still driven to write songs that speak directly to the present moment.

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 Paul Draper, 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 Kula Shaker frontman Crispian Mills to talk about Wormslayer — a record that captures the band feeling revitalised, confident, and creatively fearless. Watch the full video conversation.

Released on 30 January 2026, Wormslayer is Kula Shaker's eighth studio album and sees the original line-up distil their explosive live energy into something cinematic, playful, and expansive. Often described as a natural companion to Natural Magic, the album allows songs to stretch and evolve, blending tight pop instincts with longer, more exploratory moments.

In this conversation, Crispian Mills reflects on trust, chemistry, and why the band feels more alive now than at any point in their history. He talks about symbolism and synchronicity, the meaning behind key tracks including Lucky Number, Charge of the Light Brigade, and Broke as Folk, and the idea of creativity as an ongoing quest rather than a destination.

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 Paul Draper, 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 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.