In Episode #228 of the XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by English singer-songwriter Will Varley to discuss his upcoming seventh album, Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me, out 30th May 2025.

Recorded in a ramshackle Kent swamp studio with longtime collaborator Tom Farrer, the album introduces a bold new sound, pairing lush, cinematic production with Varley’s trademark storytelling. Inspired by the East Kent Coast and US Midwest, the songs explore broken relationships, life on the road, and mental resilience against global uncertainty.

Featuring guest appearances from Billy Bragg, Eleni Drake, and Dan Smith of Bastille, the album captures the tension between everyday life and the looming sense of apocalypse — while still searching for light and hope.

In this conversation, Will talks about the making of the album, his evolving creative process, and why storytelling still matters in uncertain times.

Highlights include: Writing and recording in Kent and the US Midwest, Collaborating with Billy Bragg, Eleni Drake & Dan Smith, Touring life, mental health, reinvention, and A new sonic chapter for Varley. Listen to episode #228 of the XS Noize Podcast with Will Varley – BELOW:

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.

XS Noize Podcast Episode #227: Sea Fever – Phil Cunningham, Tom Chapman, and Beth Cassidy on Surface Sound, Musical Chemistry, and Honouring Denise Johnson

In Episode #227 of the XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Phil Cunningham, Tom Chapman, and Beth Cassidy of the genre-blending band Sea Fever to talk about their powerful second album, Surface Sound.

Sea Fever is a five-piece supergroup featuring members of New Order, Haven, Johnny Marr’s band, Section 25, and Brix & The Extricated. The band returns with Surface Sound — a bold fusion of alt-rock, dance, and electronic pop across ten euphoric tracks.

In this episode, Phil, Tom, and Beth discuss:

• The creative process and sonic ambition behind Surface Sound

• How their unique chemistry has evolved since 2021’s Folding Lines

• Crafting standout singles like “Breaking Out” and “Loose Cut”

• The emotional weight of Denise Johnson’s stunning guest vocals on “Explanation”

• How their individual musical legacies shape the identity and future of Sea Fever

Surface Sound showcases Sea Fever at their most confident and collaborative, from pulsing synths to layered guitar textures and powerful lyrics.

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.

In Episode 226 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar chats with writer and director Matt Aston about Reception: The Wedding Present Musical — a brand new stage production inspired by the music of David Gedge, The Wedding Present, and Cinerama.

The show, running from August 22 – September 6 at The Warehouse at Holbeck, Leeds, celebrates The Wedding Present’s 40th anniversary with a story of friendship, love, and loss — all soundtracked by hits from the band’s four-decade career, plus a brand new song.

Matt discusses how the idea formed after seeing David Gedge perform with orchestras and why the band’s storytelling was perfect for the stage.

A must-listen for fans of The Wedding Present and anyone interested in how indie rock is being reimagined in musical theatre.

listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.

In Episode 225 of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Olly Knights, frontman of the acclaimed South London band Turin Brakes.

With seven UK Top 40 singles, six Top 40 albums, and over a million records sold worldwide, Turin Brakes have built a lasting legacy rooted in emotional songwriting, rich harmonies, and fearless sonic exploration. Now, they return with Spacehopper, their highly anticipated 10th studio album, released May 23rd via Cooking Vinyl.

In this in-depth conversation, Olly Knights discusses:

The creative process behind Spacehopper and the inspiration behind its songs

Collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Guy Massey (Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue, Spiritualized)

Returning to the iconic Konk Studios, where they recorded their 2001 Mercury Prize-nominated debut The Optimist LP

The meaning of longevity, artistic evolution, and creative freedom after 24 years in the music industry

Olly also shares insights on touring plans, the emotional themes explored in Spacehopper, and what keeps Turin Brakes inspired and relevant after two decades of making music.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Turin Brakes for the first time, this episode offers a thoughtful and inspiring look into the journey of one of the UK’s most enduring and influential bands.

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.

In this episode of the XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Paul Connolly, frontman of incendiary Derry alt-rock band The Wood Burning Savages, to discuss their explosive new album ‘Hand To Mouth’.

Renowned for their guitar-driven political rock and blistering live performances, the band returns with their long-awaited second album — the powerful follow-up to their 2018 debut ‘Stability’, which beat out the likes of Snow Patrol, Ash, and Bicep to win Northern Ireland Album of the Year. They also took home the award for Best Live Act.

️In this episode, Paul discusses the writing and recording process behind "Hand to Mouth," The stories and emotions that fuel the new songs, recovering from a life-altering illness while on tour, channelling personal and political unrest into raw, urgent rock, career highlights including playing Glastonbury and much more.

If you’re a fan of fearless, high-octane rock with heart, fire, and social conscience, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Listen to episode #224 of the XS Noize Music Podcast with Paul Connolly – BELOW:

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.

On this week’s episode of the XS Noize Music Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter David Gray to discuss the early days of his career, his upcoming Greatest Hits collection, and his first live shows in over two years.

David Gray has announced his long-awaited return to the UK stage with a series of intimate acoustic solo performances in support of his forthcoming Greatest Hits release. Titled An Evening With David Gray, the tour begins at Manchester’s Albert Hall on December 11 and includes a special two-night run at London’s Cadogan Hall on December 13 and 14. The Best Of collection – arriving 25 years after the start of Gray’s remarkable recording career – is set for release on October 28, just ahead of the live dates.

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.

Acclaimed British singer-songwriter Tom Hickox joins Mark Millar on the latest episode of the XS Noize Music Podcast to delve into his highly anticipated third album, The Orchestra of Stories, out 25 April 2025 via Family Tree Records.

Marking his return after a four-year hiatus, Hickox unveils a sweeping, cinematic collection of songs that fuse myth, memory, history, and heart. In this in-depth conversation, he discusses the emotional and historical inspirations behind standout tracks like “Chalk Giants,” “The Shoemaker,” “The Clairvoyant,” and “The Failed Assassination of Fidel Castro.”

Listeners will also hear how his background in composition helped shape the album’s orchestral sound, and how family legacies, personal memories, and real-life events sparked the storytelling behind the music.

Whether you're drawn to storytelling in music, cinematic songwriting, or artists like Scott Walker, this episode is essential listening. The Orchestra of Stories is Hickox at his most ambitious—an album that elevates narrative songwriting to stunning new heights.

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar chats with Saint Leonard—the visionary artist formerly known as Kieran Leonard—about the extraordinary journey that led to his third and most ambitious album, The Golden Hour.

From recording his debut, Good Luck Everybody, at Stanley Kubrick’s historic home to headlining sold-out shows at London’s The Windmill and Third Man Records and supporting The Libertines on tour, Saint Leonard has built a reputation for fearless reinvention.

In this fascinating conversation, Leonard shares the wild and deeply personal story behind The Golden Hour—an album shaped by Wild nights in Berlin’s underbelly, Spiritual awakenings in India, Isolation in a GDR-era apartment during the pandemic, and Collaborations with Brian Eno and members of Fat White Family.

Recorded at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin and Paul Epworth’s Church Studios in London, The Golden Hour blends electronic textures, techno pulses, and Weimar cabaret flair—all woven together with Leonard’s surreal storytelling and dark wit.

Highlights include:

Meeting Fat White Family by chance in Berlin and forming a band overnight

Collaborating with Brian Eno and how it reshaped his sonic vision

Wrestling with identity, paranoia, and rebirth during lockdown

Using music to capture the absurdity of existence—with a wink

The Golden Hour is not just an album—it’s a full-blown experience: cinematic, unhinged, and unforgettable. Listen now for a deep dive into the madness, magic, and music of Saint Leonard.

Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.

Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, John Lydon, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, and many more.