The XS Noize Podcast
Hosted by Mark Millar
Long-form interviews with iconic and emerging musicians, focusing on their creative process, career turning points, and the stories behind their records.
A deeply researched music interview show where host Mark Millar creates a space for artists to speak at length about their craft. The podcast balances conversations with legacy acts like Peter Hook and Will Sergeant with sessions featuring newer artists like Rosa Walton and Dea Matrona, often centered on a new album release. Millar's preparation allows him to use an artist's own press quotes or obscure history to prompt deeper reflection on their career and creative mindset.
“The host's journalistic approach of using an artist's own quotes to frame questions stands out, leading to more personal and revealing conversations. Unlike many podcasts, it consistently bridges generations, putting new indie acts on the same platform as the foundational figures who may have influenced them.”
Who hosts this show
The XS Noize Podcast, hosted by Mark Millar, features in-depth conversations with defining voices in modern music, from post-punk legends to influential newcomers. Part of the independent music platform XS Noize which was founded in Belfast in 2014, the show goes beyond promotion to explore the stories and life experiences behind the work. Millar, who is the founder and editor-in-chief of XS Noize, hosts and produces the podcast.
Credentials & credits
- Founder of XS Noize
- Editor-in-Chief of XS Noize
- Host and Producer of The XS Noize Podcast
- Music Journalist
Other ventures
- XS Noize (independent music news site)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- uk
When new episodes drop
- 01Peter Hook: “I’d Go Back and Look After Ian Curtis” | Joy Division, New OrderJun 27, 2026 · 48 min
- 02Rosa Walton on "Tell Me It’s A Dream," Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077Jun 23, 2026 · 32 min
- 03Dea Matrona on “Hate That I Care” and Finding Their True Sound | XS Noize PodcastJun 16, 2026 · 24 min
- 04
- 05The Hoosiers on New Album ‘Compassion’ Toxicity & Finding Joy AgainJun 2, 2026 · 37 min
- 06Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Why He DisappearedMay 26, 2026 · 40 min
- 07Editors’ Tom Smith on Going Solo, His First Album & What Comes NextMay 25, 2026 · 39 min
- 08Will Sergeant: “I’ve Been Ostracised” | Echo & the Bunnymen & Courtney LoveMay 23, 2026 · 1h 03m
Notable episodes
- 01Peter Hook: “I’d Go Back and Look After Ian Curtis” | Joy Division, New Order
A deep, historical interview where Hook recounts the formation of Joy Division, the origin of his signature bass style, and stories from the early days of Factory Records.
- 02Rosa Walton on "Tell Me It’s A Dream," Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077
Explores a modern artist's transition to a solo project and the surreal experience of having a song become a viral hit through a video game.
- 03Dea Matrona on “Hate That I Care” and Finding Their True Sound
A great example of the show's focus on emerging artists, this conversation covers self-production, creative evolution, and the realities of being a touring band.
What you'll be asked on this show
Mark Millar runs a well-researched, story-driven interview. He often opens by asking about the central theme or pressure behind a new album. His primary method for probing deeper is to quote the artist back to themselves—pulling from press releases, lyrics, or past interviews to ask, "You said X, what did you mean by that?" He frequently explores an artist's origins by asking about their earliest musical influences or pivotal moments, like seeing a specific concert. To understand their craft, he asks about specific songs, stylistic shifts, or how their creative process has evolved between albums. A signature closing move is to ask the artist to define what their new album represents compared to their previous work.
The format is a relaxed, one-on-one (or one-on-band) long-form interview. Mark Millar is a well-prepared host who often prefaces questions with summaries of a guest's career or specific quotes, allowing for deep, thoughtful answers. The tone is conversational and fan-focused rather than confrontational.
Questions Mark Millar keeps coming back to
13 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Mark Millar reaches for it.
mindset
3- Q.01
“Did your last album give you confidence for this new one, or did it add more pressure?”
A recurring opening question to gauge the artist's mindset entering a new album cycle.
- Q.02
“Did that past success bring more confidence or more pressure for this new record?”
A follow-up question to understand the psychological impact of a major career high.
- Q.03
“If your last album was about introducing the band, what is this new album about?”
A frequent closing question that asks the artist to define their current chapter.
craft
5- Q.01
“You've said in the press, '[quote]'. What did you mean by that?”
His signature move, using an artist's own words from press materials to elicit deeper explanation.
- Q.02
“What did you mean by the album title?”
A direct question used early in the conversation to establish the record's central theme.
- Q.03
“Was the shift towards a more [alt-rock/electronic] sound a conscious decision?”
He asks this to understand the specific sonic evolution on a new record.
- Q.04
“The song '[Song Title]' feels heavier/different. Where did that come from?”
Demonstrates close listening and prompts the story behind a specific track.
- Q.05
“How did your iconic approach to [playing bass/your instrument] develop over time?”
Asked of veteran musicians to get the origin story of their signature style.
personal
2- Q.01
“What do you think people get wrong about you or the band?”
This question is used to explore the gap between public perception and the artist's reality.
- Q.02
“Does [touring with a legend/a viral hit] still feel surreal, or have you been able to normalize it?”
Used to get the artist's perspective on major, potentially overwhelming, career milestones.
origin
1- Q.01
“What was the first band or artist that really made you pay attention to music?”
A classic opening question to establish a guest's musical origin story.
process
2- Q.01
“What did you not want to repeat from the first album, and what did you want to carry forward?”
This question prompts reflection on the lessons learned between creative projects.
- Q.02
“When did the songs stop being experiments and start feeling like a proper album?”
He asks this to pinpoint the moment a creative project coalesced into a final product.
Signature segments
- · Host intro: "I'm Mark Millar, and this is the XS Noize Podcast."
- · Let's do a deep dive
- · Plugging the previous episode at the start of an interview
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are primarily UK and Irish musicians, spanning from influential post-punk and Britpop figures to contemporary indie and alt-rock artists. They are typically on the show to discuss a new album, a tour, or a career anniversary.
- Peter Hookon Peter Hook: “I’d Go Back and Look After Ian Curtis” | Joy Division, New Order
- Rosa Waltonon Rosa Walton on "Tell Me It’s A Dream," Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077
- Dea Matronaon Dea Matrona on “Hate That I Care” and Finding Their True Sound | XS Noize Podcast
- Danny McNamaraon Embrace’s Danny McNamara on Avalanche, The Good Will Out and Why Life Doesn’t Wait
- The Hoosierson The Hoosiers on New Album ‘Compassion’ Toxicity & Finding Joy Again
- Tom Smithon Editors’ Tom Smith on Going Solo, His First Album & What Comes Next
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast does not appear to feature third-party sponsors and primarily serves as a content platform for the main XS Noize website and brand.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- What is the host's real name?
- The host is Mark Millar, who is also the founder and editor-in-chief of the XS Noize music site.
- What is the format of the show?
- It is a weekly, long-form interview podcast featuring one-on-one conversations with musicians and bands.
- Is The XS Noize Podcast still running?
- Yes, it releases new episodes on a weekly basis.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on the XS Noize website, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms. Full video versions are often available on the XS Noize YouTube channel.
- How can I pitch a guest for the show?
- The official XS Noize website has a contact form for inquiries. The site notes that working with PRs is their 'lifeblood'.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
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