The XS Noize Podcast

In episode #303 of the XS Noize Podcast, Steven Wilson joins Mark Millar to discuss his new album, Requiem For A Village, embracing musical imperfections, and why he believes the human touch matters more than ever in an age of artificial intelligence.
Following the cosmic scale of The Overview, Steven explains why he wanted to explore British folklore, childhood memories and the unsettling atmosphere of folk-horror films such as The Wicker Man.
He discusses deliberately leaving instruments out of tune, experimenting with instruments he doesn't know how to play, and rediscovering the excitement of making music without everything being perfect.
Steven also talks about working with XTC's Andy Partridge and actor David Tennant, his concerns about AI-generated music, and what he's learned from remixing classic recordings by artists including Pink Floyd.
Looking ahead, he discusses performing The Overview at the Royal Albert Hall with an orchestra and choir, and reveals that he and Andy Partridge have discussed the possibility of a sequel — or even a trilogy — based around Requiem For A Village.
Finally, Steven reflects on the emotional power of music and why some of its magic may never be fully explained.
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Website: https://www.xsnoize.com

Gabriella Cilmi joins Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss her new album, Pure Love, being signed at just 13, the worldwide success of 'Sweet About Me', and finding her way back to herself as an artist.
Gabriella reflects on the pressures of becoming famous at 16, losing creative control and eventually stepping away to rebuild on her own terms. She also reveals how watching footage of herself singing as a ten-year-old helped inspire Pure Love, discusses the stories behind the new songs and explains why she sees the album as "a comeback in the sense that I'm coming back to myself."
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Subscribe to the XS Noize Podcast for more in-depth conversations with artists, songwriters, producers and bands from around the world.
The XS Noize Podcast is hosted and produced by XS Noize founder and editor Mark Millar.

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James joins Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss his new solo album, Wowed Out, rediscovering music from his past, his journey towards sobriety and self-acceptance, and what's next for My Morning Jacket.
His fifth solo LP and first new solo album in eight years, Wowed Out grew from a collection of abandoned film-score recordings Jim created with composer Brian Reitzell more than 15 years ago. Jim reveals how revisiting those forgotten sessions inspired an entirely new record and why he has learned to embrace quieter musical moments rather than chasing big choruses and guitar solos.
The conversation explores the meaning behind Wowed Out, the overwhelming nature of social media and modern technology, and Jim's efforts to reconnect with the world beyond his phone. He also shares the stories behind 'Hands On', 'Lost Child' and 'Come Again', opening up about quitting drinking four years ago, his search for belonging and the healing power of music.
Finally, Jim reflects on nearly 30 years of My Morning Jacket, why the band feel more connected than ever, plans to record a new album in November and the possibility of bringing Wowed Out songs into their live shows.
Follow XS Noize:
Website: https://www.xsnoize.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xsnoizemusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xsnoizemusic/
X: https://x.com/xsnoizemusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thexsnoizepodcast
Subscribe to the XS Noize Podcast for more in-depth conversations with artists, songwriters, producers and bands from around the world.
The XS Noize Podcast is hosted and produced by XS Noize founder and editor Mark Millar.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Clint Boon to discuss his autobiography, Manchester Chronicles: True Tales of Music, Madness and Mayhem 1976–2006, the rise of Inspiral Carpets and the remarkable highs and lows of his life in music.
Clint recalls seeing the Sex Pistols at Manchester's Electric Circus in 1976—the night that convinced him he could form a band. He discusses joining Inspiral Carpets, introducing the Farfisa organ that helped define their sound and building the band independently through homemade recordings, merchandise, visuals and their own studio.
Clint also reflects on Noel Gallagher's journey from auditioning to become the Inspirals' singer to joining their touring crew, what Noel learned from watching the band at close range and when his songwriting with Oasis became impossible to ignore. He also remembers recording "I Want You" with Mark E. Smith and reveals what remains on the unfinished fifth Inspiral Carpets album.
The conversation becomes more personal as Clint recalls going from Glastonbury and Top of the Pops to signing on, hiding from bailiffs and relying on milk tokens to support his young family. He explains why he continued writing hopeful songs during that difficult period and how surviving a terrifying motorway crash changed his life.
Clint also discusses Mani's place in Manchester Chronicles, what success means to him now and what his 17-year-old self would make of the extraordinary life that followed that first Sex Pistols concert. Finally, he looks ahead to Burn Like the Sun, the first new Inspiral Carpets studio album in 12 years.
Buy Manchester Chronicles:
https://geni.us/manchesterchronicles
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https://www.xsnoize.com/
The XS Noize Podcast is hosted and produced by Mark Millar.

Stephen Mallinder joins Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss Cabaret Voltaire's final tour, the return of Chris Watson, and the remastered edition of CODE.
Stephen reflects on why these final shows are both a celebration and an ending, and why he was determined not to let Cabaret Voltaire become its own tribute act.
He talks about reconnecting with Chris Watson, rebuilding the music using original technology and processes, and how revisiting the material brought Richard H. Kirk back into the room emotionally.
Stephen also looks back on CODE, working with Adrian Sherwood, and why he considers the album one of the most political records he and Richard made. He discusses the themes of technology, power, paranoia and greed, and why they still feel relevant today.
Elsewhere, Stephen talks about the rediscovered John Robie dub mix of "Thank You America", Cabaret Voltaire's roots in soul, dub, funk and electro, Gazelle Twin joining the final shows, and what it will mean to bring this chapter to a close in Sheffield.
Finally, Stephen looks ahead to what comes next after Cabaret Voltaire and explains why a limited-edition bottle of Henderson's Relish is such a fitting way to mark the end.
The XS Noize Podcast is hosted and produced by Mark Millar.