The XS Noize Podcast

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Irwin Sparkes and Alan Sharland from The Hoosiers to discuss their new album Compassion, the toxicity that inspired it, and how the band found joy, self-belief and purpose again.
The band first broke through in 2007 with their debut album The Trick to Life, featuring huge singles including "Worried About Ray" and "Goodbye Mr A." But this conversation is not just about looking back. It is about where The Hoosiers are now — creatively, personally and emotionally.
Irwin and Alan talk about making Compassion, the ideas behind the record, rediscovering joy, holding on to self-belief, and what it means to meet the world with more humanity after years of change, pressure and experience.
They also reflect on friendship, survival, the band's journey, the lessons learned along the way, and why this new chapter feels so important.
The full video version of this conversation is available on the XS Noize YouTube channel.
The XS Noize Podcast is an independent, long-form music interview series hosted by Mark Millar, featuring in-depth conversations with artists, songwriters, producers and cultural figures about the stories behind the music.
Listen/watch and follow XS Noize: Website: xsnoize.com

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Robert Arkins, best known to millions as Jimmy Rabbitte in Alan Parker's classic 1991 film The Commitments.
Robert looks back on life before the film, his musical roots, fronting his own band Housebroken, and how his sister first introduced him to Roddy Doyle's book. He reflects on why he initially saw The Commitments as a possible distraction from his music, before becoming the face and voice of one of the most beloved music films ever made.
In this warm and honest conversation, Robert talks about working with Alan Parker, finding Jimmy Rabbitte's natural Dublin rhythm, the humour and energy that still make the film resonate, and the moment he realised The Commitments had become much bigger than just a film.
He also shares brilliant behind-the-scenes stories from the shoot, including Van Morrison auditioning for Joey "The Lips," memories of the famous bath scene, Johnny Murphy's motorbike mishap, and what fans still say to him more than three decades later.
The conversation also goes deeper into what happened after The Commitments — the pressure of sudden fame, travelling to Los Angeles, signing to MCA, working on an unfinished Housebroken album, and the frustration of being recognised as Jimmy Rabbitte when he wanted to be seen as an artist in his own right.
Now, Robert is returning to the music with Robert Arkins' Commitments, marking the 35th anniversary of The Commitments with UK and Ireland shows. He talks about bringing those songs back to the stage, adding Detroit and Northern Soul into the live set, and why the audience energy still reminds him of watching the film with a crowd.
At its heart, this episode is about music, identity, second chances, and what happens when one role follows you for the rest of your life.
Listen to the full episode now.

Nerina Pallot joins Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss 25 years of music, her new career-spanning collection Fire Escape Symphonies: The Best of Nerina Pallot, and the songs, fans and experiences that have shaped her journey.
In this episode, Nerina reflects on looking back across her catalogue, the emotional weight of "Everybody's Gone To War," taking an anti-war song onto Top of the Pops, and why she now hears some of her early songs differently after years of distance.
She also talks about not fitting neatly into pop or indie, trusting her instincts, writing for Kylie Minogue, building a direct relationship with fans, and creating Chamber — her new artist-fan app designed as an alternative to algorithm-driven social media.
Nerina also discusses her deep connection with her audience, the night fans helped carry a show when she lost her voice, her upcoming Royal Albert Hall performance, and why hope still matters in music.
Listen to episode #285 of the XS Noize Podcast with Nerina Pallot now.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin of Broken Social Scene to discuss the band's new album, Remember The Humans.
Kevin and Charles talk about where the title came from, how a joke about AI ended up capturing the emotional centre of the record, and why Broken Social Scene returned now with their first new studio album in nearly a decade.
They also discuss reuniting with producer David Newfeld, the shared grief that shaped the album, the "enjoyable PTSD" of getting the band back together, and the beauty and difficulty of collaboration inside a band built on so many voices.
The conversation also touches on songs including "Not Around Anymore," "The Call," "Briefest Kiss" and "Relief," the documentary It's All Going To Break, the Toronto music scene, and why music still has the power to connect, heal and keep people going.
Remember The Humans is released via City Slang in the UK/EU and Arts & Crafts in North America.
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Deb Googe and Cara Tivey join Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss The Golden Thread — their debut full-length album together as da Googie + Cara Tivey.
da Googie is the solo project of Deb Googe, best known as the bass player in My Bloody Valentine and Thurston Moore Group. Cara Tivey is a pianist and composer whose career includes work with Billy Bragg, Everything But The Girl, Blur, Au Pairs and The Lilac Time.
In this episode, Deb and Cara talk about bringing The Golden Thread to Belfast as part of the Oh Yeah Presents immersive series, where the music becomes visual as well as sonic. They discuss how the collaboration began, how Cara's piano changed the shape of da Googie, and how improvised pieces were reshaped into finished songs.
They also reflect on creative ownership after decades of working inside other people's music, the challenge of performing the material live, the physical force of My Bloody Valentine, women in alternative music, and why there is no grand master plan for what comes next.
For the Belfast performance, The Golden Thread will be presented as an immersive live event at the Oh Yeah Centre, co-produced by Oh Yeah Presents and CQAF. The visuals have been designed by Deb Googe and will be operated and installed by The Fully Automatic Model.
Listen to episode #283 of the XS Noize Podcast now.
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