#227. Sea Fever Break Down 'Surface Sound' – Their Most Euphoric Record Yet
Release Date: 05/12/2025
#234. Jet’s Cam Muncey: Beyond the Band, Into ‘Delusions of Grandeur’
The XS Noize Podcast
In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Cam Muncey — guitarist, co-founder, and key songwriter of Australian rock legends Jet — to discuss his bold and unexpected debut solo album, Cam Muncey & the Delusions of Grandeur. Recorded in just 30 days with producer Jan Skubiszewski, Jet bassist Mark Wilson, and drummer Peter Marin, Delusions of Grandeur is an expansive, deeply personal record. Moving through dreamy shoegaze, melodic guitar-pop, 80s indie, swaying soul, and atmospheric art-rock, it draws on influences from The Smiths, Talk Talk, Curtis Mayfield,...
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#233. Echobelly’s Sonya Madan & Glenn Johansson Reflect on 30 Years of ‘ON’ — And What’s Next
The XS Noize Podcast
In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Sonya Madan and Glenn Johansson of Britpop icons Echobelly as they prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their landmark second album ON with a UK tour this autumn. Released in 1995, ON became a defining record of the Britpop era — a Top 5 hit bursting with soaring melodies, razor-sharp lyrics, and timeless anthems like “Great Things.” To mark the milestone, Echobelly will perform the album in full across 14 dates in October and November 2025, alongside fan favourites and classics from their seven-album catalogue....
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#232. Cast's John Power on 30 Years of All Change, Touring with Oasis & New Music
The XS Noize Podcast
In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by John Power, frontman of Cast, as the legendary Britpop band celebrates a major milestone — 30 years since the release of their iconic debut album All Change. Cast are in the strongest position they’ve been in for decades. Their 2023 album Love Is The Call received widespread critical acclaim and earned their highest chart position in 25 years. Now, they’re preparing to support Oasis on the UK and Ireland leg of their hugely anticipated stadium reunion tour — a landmark moment for the Liverpool band. Once those...
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#231. Peter Hooton on The Farm’s Return After 30 Years – New Album ‘Let The Music Take Control’
The XS Noize Podcast
In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Peter Hooton, frontman of Liverpool legends The Farm, to discuss their first new studio album in over 30 years — Let The Music (Take Control), out June 20th, 2025, on Modern Sky. Known for their chart-topping debut Spartacus and iconic singles like “Groovy Train” and “All Together Now,” The Farm were key players in the indie-dance movement. Now, the original lineup returns with a powerful, feel-good record rooted in the same DIY ethos and social conscience that first defined them. Peter talks about the creative...
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#230. Gary Lightbody on Grief, Healing & Snow Patrol’s The Forest Is The Path
The XS Noize Podcast
In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody — one of the most emotionally resonant voices in UK music. Gary delves into the making of The Forest Is The Path — Snow Patrol’s chart-topping, critically acclaimed eighth studio album. Expansive, cinematic, and deeply reflective, the record marks a powerful creative resurgence for the band, now over 30 years into their remarkable journey. The conversation also explores Gary’s debut book of the same name — a raw and moving memoir written in the aftermath of...
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#229 Chesney Hawkes on New Album ‘Living Arrows’ and His Celebrity Big Brother Experience | XS Noize Podcast #229
The XS Noize Podcast
In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by British pop icon Chesney Hawkes. Best known for his timeless hit ‘The One and Only’, Chesney talks about the momentum behind his new music — including the Radio 2 A-list success of ‘Get A Hold of Yourself’. He dives into his new album, Living Arrows, out now. It is a raw and heartfelt collection inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s poem, ‘On Children’. Exploring themes of love, family, and growth, the album pairs candid songwriting with uplifting pop-rock. We dive deep into the stories behind the...
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#228. Will Varley Breaks Down New Album ‘Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me’
The XS Noize Podcast
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...
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#227. Sea Fever Break Down 'Surface Sound' – Their Most Euphoric Record Yet
The XS Noize Podcast
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...
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#226. Matt Aston: Bringing The Wedding Present to the Stage
The XS Noize Podcast
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 perform with orchestras and why the...
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#225. Turin Brakes’ Olly Knights on New Album 'Spacehopper' and 24 Years in Music
The XS Noize Podcast
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...
info_outlineXS 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:
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The creative process and sonic ambition behind Surface Sound
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How their unique chemistry has evolved since 2021’s Folding Lines
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Crafting standout singles like “Breaking Out” and “Loose Cut”
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The emotional weight of Denise Johnson’s stunning guest vocals on “Explanation”
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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.