In episode #139 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets legendary music manager Simon Napier-Bell to discuss his latest documentary - George Michael: Portrait of an Artist.

Simon Napier-Bell is an English record producer, music manager, author and journalist. Simon has managed artists as diverse as the Yardbirds, Marc Bolan, Japan, Ultravox, Wham! and many more. In this interview, Simon talks about managing Wham! in the 80s, organising their concert in China, turning down The Pet Shop Boys, and we go in-depth about his brilliant documentary George Michael: Portrait of an Artist. George Michael: Portrait of an Artist dives deeper into who George really was – a kind and generous person who ultimately fought many demons while being front and centre as one of the most famous musicians of his time – through never before heard anecdotal stories of his closest friends and allies. Check out the article on XS Noize - https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-simon-napier-bell-on-his-new-documentary-george-michael-portrait-of-an-artist/

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In episode #138 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Andy Partridge (XTC), Stu Rowe (Future Sound of London) and American songstress Jen Olive to discuss their new project, The 3 Clubmen. 

Thirteen years in the making, The 3 Clubmen EP recalls XTC’s later pastoral period, a touch of Jen Olive’s math-pop angularity and the eclectic sound that runs through Stu Rowe’s Lighterthief back catalogue. The EP is an avant-pop delight offering a strange, seductive blend of experimental pop, jazz and sci-fi cinema excellence.

In this interview, Jen, Stu and Andy talk about writing and recording the EP, why it took so long to release, songwriting and lots more. Check out the article on XS Noize - https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-the-3-clubmen-andy-partridge-jen-olive-and-stu-rowe-on-their-eponymous-debut-ep/

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In episode #137 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets fast-rising Sunderland artist Tom A. Smith to discuss his latest release EP3.

Despite still being a teenager, Sunderland-based newcomer Tom A. Smith has already achieved more than most artists do in a lifetime. He played his first ever gig aged just eight, supporting local psychedelic rockers Detroit Social Club at legendary Newcastle venue The Cluny; he performed at Glastonbury before he was even in secondary school, and Tim Burgess handpicked him to play his stage at Kendal Calling, making him the festival's youngest ever performer. He has played live with local hero Sam Fender and Catfish & The Bottlemen and supported other Northern acts on the rise, like The Lathums and The Mysterines.

In this interview, Tom A Smith talks about EP3, songwriting with Miles Kane, performing at Glastonbury, guilty pleasures, and lots more. Check out the article on XS Noize - https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-ris...

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In episode #136 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Matt Bowman from The Pigeon Detectives to discuss their long-awaited new album ‘TV Show.’

Produced by the renowned Rich Turvey (Blossoms, The Coral, Oscar Lang), their new album TV Show looks to cement a rebirth within the band’s legacy. After storming the stage at countless festivals in the summer of 2022, The Pigeon Detectives quickly became one of the more talked about names on the circuit once again, feeding the public’s need for anthemic indie-rock tunes after years of isolation and social distancing.

In this interview, Matt Bowman talks about the return of the band, writing and recording TV Show, upcoming live shows and lots more.

Check out the article on XS Noize - https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-matt-bowman-from-the-pigeon-detectives-on-their-long-awaited-new-album-tv-show/

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In episode #135 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Johnny Lloyd and Dan White from TRIBES to talk about 'Rabbit Head' – their first album in ten years.

With their boldest record yet, Rabbit Head captures how TRIBES got here and where they're heading next. They might have taken the long way around, but the album feels like the one TRIBES were always destined to make. They are a band revitalised.

The Camden quartet, comprised of singer/guitarist Johnny Lloyd, guitarist Dan White, bassist Jim Cratchley and drummer Miguel Demelo, embarked on an indefinite hiatus following the release and extensive touring of sophomore album Wish To Scream in 2013. Following a choice encounter between the four at a Dinosaur Pile-Up – Cratchly's band since TRIBES – show in 2020, they were reminded of what they had lost and are now back, bigger and better than ever!

In this interview, Johnny and Dan talk about their hiatus, reforming the band, writing and recording Rabbit Head and lots more. Please also subscribe and follow XS Noize on the social media links below:

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In episode #134 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Mike Peters from Welsh rock legends The Alarm to talk about their brand new album 'Forwards.'

Mike Peters returns to life after a year dominated by pneumonia and a serious leukaemia relapse. Forwards is alive with melody and invention and destined to contend for a top place amongst The Alarm's extensive discography, one that boasts over 17 Top 50 UK singles and over six million album sales worldwide.

In between hospitalisation periods, Mike took the band into the recording studio with producer George Williams. Although barely able to speak due to the debilitating effects of chronic illness, he was able to focus the sessions on creating the music for ten new life-affirming Alarm songs.

Described by Bono of U2 as "the second greatest rock and roll band in the world", The Alarm release their forthcoming brand new album, Forwards, on the new date of 16th June 2023, followed by a two-night stand at The Gramercy Theatre in New York on June 23rd / 24th.

In this interview, Mike talks from his hospital bed while he is having his regular treatment to talk about the new album, live shows, performing with U2 in the 80s and lots more. Check out the article on XS Noize - https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-mike-peters-from-welsh-rock-legends-the-alarm-on-their-brand-new-album-forwards/

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In episode #133 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Keith O’Neill from Irish psychedelic/electronic band – EXTRANAUTS about their debut album, The Alchemist.

Having started under the moniker The Dead Heavys, Extranauts have released their fantastic debut album, The Alchemist, produced by Jagz Kooner (Primal Scream, Kasabian, Andrew Weatherall). Taking inspiration from ‘60s psychedelia just as much as it does dance music, the band’s debut long-player sees Extranauts wearing their influences proudly on their sleeves.

In this interview, lead vocalist and guitarist Keith O’Neill talks about being discovered by Creation Records founder Alan McGee, writing, and recording the album, live shows and lots more.

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In episode #132 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Colin Angus for his first AI interview about his new band “Moship.” The Shamans originator discusses his new project via AIngus, Moships AI aide.

Moship is an electronic music duo consisting of Colin Angus and Digital Habitat. The duo released their first track, ‘A2E ft Michael Horowitz’, on the 80th anniversary of Bicycle Day (the original Lab Leak), when acid godfather Dr Albert Hofmann wobbled home on two wheels, experiencing the full spectrum of psychedelic effects from the nascent LSD-25 he had recently synthesized and imbibed.

Colin Angus and Digital Habitat are cohorts with unique backgrounds and influences, creating a sound blend of psychedelia, house, ambient, and dub elements. Digital Habitat released various nuggets experimenting with the above musical vibes from London and a northern coastal outpost.

Colin is a Scots musician, lyrical cultivator, entheogen advocate & (m)adventurer. Colin was in The Shamen, who made psychedelic music from the mid-80s to the end of the 20th century & had a chart hit with Terence McKenna. Colin and Digital Habitat linked up at a performance by Violetta@St Pancras Old Church then began musing together remotely before initiating Moship during the dark daze of the plandemonic/ crockdown era.

Michael Horowitz is an American writer, editor and psychedelic historian. He co-founded the world’s first psychoactive drug library, co-edited collections of Aldous Huxley (Moksha), Timothy Leary (Chaos & Cyber Culture) and women’s drug literature (Sisters of the Extreme), and was Leary’s archivist and bibliographer. The lyrics to A2E are an extended mix of a talk he gave at the World Psychedelic Forum in Basel in 2006, honouring LSD discoverer Albert Hofmann. Check out the article on XS Noize - https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-col...

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In episode #131 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Dan Croll to discuss his latest album, Fools. Returning to his familiar haunt Montrose Recording in Richmond, VA, where he also recorded his 2020 LP Grand Plan, Dan Croll has now stepped into the role of co-producer this time around alongside his regular recording partner, Spacebomb's Matthew E. White.

Fools finds Dan Croll at a crossroads, documenting recent events with warmth and wit to help him decide which direction to take. Five years after leaving his beloved Liverpool for sun-soaked L.A., a move made on a whim, which transformed his sound, Fools poses a fundamental question - is it finally time to come home?

In this interview, Dan talks about writing and recording Fools, meeting Sir Paul McCartney, his time in La, whether he is a Blue or a Red, and much more. Check out the article on XS Noize - https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-dan-croll-on-his-fourth-studio-album-fools/

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In episode #130 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers to discuss his new album ‘Heatwave In The Cold North.’

Never resting on their laurels and constantly striving to challenge perceptions of the band, Reverend and the Makers have become one of the enduring and great survivors of the British music scene. With a career spanning two decades Jon McClure and his collective of musicians burst onto the scene with their Top 5 charting debut album, The State of Things.

The album spawned the UK top 10 single Heavyweight Champion of the World. The five albums since have seen the band move through several incarnations, sounds and lineups and experience all the highs and most of the lows the music industry has to offer.

The Reverend’s story is one of the great survival stories of the music industry, as charisma, talent, defiance, and sheer willpower see the band start a new chapter reenergized and raring to go. With a point to prove, with Heatwave In The Cold North, Reverend And The Makers set about the task in hand, armed to the teeth with an arsenal of their biggest, best and most accessible and ambitious songs to date.

In this interview, Jon McClure talks about writing and recording the album, travelling to Africa, working with a camel, live shows, and lots more. Check out the article on XS Noize - https://tinyurl.com/2foarr38

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