The XS Noize Podcast

In episode #86 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with one of the greatest ever British songwriters Michael Head of The Red Elastic Band. Michael Head leads his Red Elastic Band into a fresh chapter with optimism and some of the best music of his career. His new Bill Ryder-Jones-produced album, Dear Scott, will be released on Fri, 27 May 2022, via Modern Sky UK.

Michael talks about starting with the Pale Fountains, Dear Scott, songwriting, and more in this interview.

In episode #85 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Kula Shaker's lead singer Crispian Mills. On 10 June 2022, Kula shaker will release their much anticipated new album, 1st Congregational Church Of Eternal Love and Free Hugs, on Strangefolk Records.

In this interview, Crispian Mills talks about the album, upcoming live shows and lots more.

In episode #84 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Gary Stringer, lead singer from Glastonbury rockers Reef. Their new album Shoot Me Your Ace showcases their talents in one of recent years' most thrilling rock albums. From the title track's swaggering opening salvo to rollercoaster closer 'Strangelove', Shoot Me Your Ace is an exhilarating blast of unadulterated rock'n'roll joy.

In this interview Gary Stringer talks about the album, working with former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, live shows and lots more.

In episode #83 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with former Kasabian vocalist Tom Meighan, one of his generation's best frontmen.

Having come through the other side of a troubled few years dealing with personal issues and leaving, Kasabian Tom Meighan is back! Tom talks about his comeback tour, brand new music, mental health awareness, and lots more in this interview.

In episode #82 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. Having completed his third decade as a recording artist, The Divine Comedy recently released Charmed Life - The Best Of The Divine Comedy - a collection of his finest moments.

A 24 track career-spanning roster of hit singles and fan favourites, compiled by Neil and remastered at Abbey Road Studios, Charmed Life includes monumental tracks 'National Express', 'Something For The Weekend', 'Songs of Love', 'Our Mutual Friend', 'A Lady of A Certain Age', 'To The Rescue' and 'Norman and Norma'. It also features the brand new track 'The Best Mistakes.'

In this interview, Neil talks about the new greatest hits collection, growing up in N.Ireland, songwriting, his work on the new Wonka prequel and lots more.

In episode #81 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Legend and cultural icon John Lydon. An icon, a revolutionary and an immortal, as the frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols, John Lydon changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution.

He caused an earthquake that transformed music for good. During his remarkable years in Public Image Ltd, he consistently pushed back the boundaries and continues to challenge and thrive.

In this interview, John talks about his recent legal battle against his Sex Pistols bandmates, upcoming Public Image LTD shows, the Jimmy Savile controversy, caring for his wife Nora, and more.

In episode #80 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Belfast born singer-songwriter and producer Gareth Dunlop. Inspired by icons such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Tom Waits, plus a soupçon of Pink Floyd, Dunlop picked up a guitar aged 14 and soon began performing covers and original songs in live venues around Northern Ireland, ROI and the rest of the UK.

In 2011 he won a Young Songwriter of the Year award in Belfast that not only earned him an invite to collaborate with seasoned writers in Nashville, an experience he has repeated many times since, but it also enabled him to tour the US extensively.

Animal consists of a diverse set of songs that include the soulful and anthemic Right about Ready and the first single Look Back Smiling - which evoke the '80s yet exude timeless quality. The highly atmospheric Sorrow and Prisoner of My Past both channel late-period Roxy Music and the laid-back '60s dream-pop vibe of Humans, plus a memorable title song, adds an electronic bounce to its subtle groove.

In this interview, Gareth talks about his new album, Animal, songwriting, musical influences, etc.

In episode #79 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Derry native Bridie Monds-Watson, aka SOAK, to talk about their third album, If I Never Know You Like This Again.

SOAK's Bridie Monds-Watson (they/them) has incessantly documented their life in photos and video from a young age. It makes perfect sense then that If I Never Know You Like This Again is made up of what Bridie calls "song memories". Having written much of the new album during the pandemic, when time felt at its slowest, Bridie's obsessive need to document each chapter of their life made a marvel of the mundane.

In this interview, Bridie talks to me about their third album, If I Never Know You Like This Again, songwriting, musical influences, etc.

In episode #78 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Darius Keeler from the acclaimed South London collective, Archive to talk about their brand new album 'Call To Arms & Angels'

The band's twelfth studio album, 'Call To Arms & Angels' is a 17 track double album (triple LP) recorded at RAK studios in London. Produced by long time collaborator Jérome Devoise, it is the band's first studio album since 2016's 'The False Foundation'.

In this interview, Darius Keeler talks about writing and recording the album, the new Archive documentary Super 8, upcoming live shows and more.

In episode #77 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with actor, director and musician Paddy Considine about 'The Death of Gobshite Rambo', the brand new album from his band Riding The Low.

Formed by Paddy Considine fifteen years ago, Riding The Low has built a spectacular catalogue of releases that defy genre. In this interview, Paddy talks about their brand-new album 'The Death of Gobshite Rambo', upcoming live shows and acting and more.