Midnight Chats

Brighton/Bristol/London band Squid have made a new album all about evil bastards. It's called Cowards, and will be released 7 February 2025. They've not spoken about it much just yet, but with Christmas here, what better time is there to sit down with Ollie and Louis from the band to discuss songs about cannibalism, Andy Warhol's wig, how they feel these days about their biggest song, and what happens when one member of the band vitoes an idea and breaks the heart of the rest of the group. Merry Christmas, one and all! You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing: Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Sign up to the Loud And Quiet Weekly newsletter Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Willem Olenski Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode of Midnight Chats is all about Greg's and Stu's favourite albums of 2024, with a little room to also discuss the records that definitely weren't. They can't all be winners, but Greg and Stu have brought 3 of their favourites each to pitch against one another. We also hear your favourites, and from some past and future Midnight Chats guests, including Biig Piig, Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods, Richard Dawson, Aurora and Anna B Savage. Find our musical recommendations on our Spotify playlist, Beat The Algorithm. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing: Loud And Quiet Albums of the Year list The Quietus Anastasia Coope interview Pitchfork's Kendrick Lamar GNX review Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Sign up to the Loud And Quiet Weekly newsletter Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Winter has a hell of a story about Rebecca Black in this week's episode, involving a legendary burlesque club in London, too much alcohol and a drill going through a part of a man's body it really shouldn't go through. She also talks about scoring CBBC shows and safety for female artists and producers via a simple device making a difference. Outside of our guest interview this week, Greg and Stu discuss how a punk band terrified America by performing on the Jimmy Kimmel show (and ponder what would happen if we had the same booking here on Graham Norton), and report on how Irish rap trio Kneecap took the UK government to court this week and won. Further reading/listening/viewing: Knocked Loose on Kimmel Live Watch Kneecap's full statement after winning their court case Hate Zine website Hate Zine on Instagram 'Friday' by Rebecca Black Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Sign up to the Loud And Quiet Weekly newsletter Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coachella lineup is out, and often it can tell us a lot about what to expect from the year ahead. But how does 2025's bill stand up, when did Coachella become so powerful, and was it Greg attending in 2012 with a hologram to Tupac that made all other celebrities want to go? Away from our tales of the festival (Stuart has also been to Coachella, but with little affect on its popularity), on episode 159 of Midnight Chats we review the new surprise release from Kendrick Lamar 'GNX' and spare a thought for Drake at this difficult time. Kate Nash has become the latest musician to start an OnlyFans to fund her artistry. And what does the strange BBC Sound of 2025 poll tell us about public appetite for new music? Further reading/listening/viewing: BBC Sound of 2025 – established artists tipped for success Kate Nash: 'My arse is shining a light on a this problem' Coachella line-up 2025 Denzel Curry cover feature interview – Loud And Quiet Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Death! Like a begrudging respect for Robbie Williams, sadly, it comes to us all. Perhaps that's why Stuart has taken to asking our guests about the subject of the great beyond, which reminded us that there was a time when we asked a bunch of musicians what they thought was the perfect way to die, in a regular interview feature in Loud And Quiet magazine. On this week's podcast we revisit those answers from 2014 - 2017, make our case for SZA to have another go at Glastonbury, review new documentary Boy Bands Forever, unpack the new proposed levy that supports grassroots venues and, somewhat tragically, discuss the new song by Mark Zuckerberg. Further reading/listening/viewing Getting To Know You archive Sherelle Loud And Quiet interview Mark Zuckerberg's horrible song Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Willem Olenski Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Kaiser Chiefs announce shows for 2025 celebrating 20 years of their debut album, with support from Razorlight, We Are Scientists, The Cribs and The Coral, Greg and Stu put their heads together to come up with an alternative bill of artists who released records 20 years ago. The Carling will be served warm and the weather will be terrible. Welcome to the inaugural Midnight Chats festival! Also on this week's podcast, Grammy nominations and predicted winners, as little about Trump as possible, and what are the worst 3 Christmas songs. Further reading/listening/viewing Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welsh electronic artist, producer and DJ Kelly Lee Owens has come along way in a short period of time. Yet, her warmth and charisma mean her A-list stories of playing Ibiza’s legendary Amnesia nightclub with Charli XCX or being welcomed into the Depeche Mode family, or dining with Bill Murray don’t come across like arrogant boasts. That’s because they come sandwiched with grounded stories of her days as a cancer ward nurse, eating cheese when she gets up at 3AM and hiding horse sh*t in the boot of an ex-boyfriend's car. She also spoke to Stuart Stubbs about the release of her fourth album 'Dreamstate', out now on George Daniel’s (The 1975) dh2 imprint. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing “Daydreamer of the year” - Loud And Quiet meets Kelly Lee Owens in Venice in 2020 Watch the trailer for the Travis film 'Almost Fashionable' Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The era of surprise album releases seems to be over, with everyone from Beyonce to Billie Eilish to Charli XCX to Tyler, The Creator opting for modern (and bombastic) twists on the traditional way of hyping LPs before their release dates. Increasingly, it seems the arena listening party in a key tool in connecting conceptual artist and fans, but as Greg shares on this week's episode, they don't always work. We also get into the week's headlines, including the reformation of The Maccabees, how Lily Allen is making more money from her feet on OnlyFans than through her music on Spotify, and what Helen Mirren wishes Kurt Cobain got to experience. Greg also shows off about the most famous people he's met. Further reading/listening/viewing Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Billie Eilish listening party Kanye West Donda listening party Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all been there: investing our time and energy into worshiping our favourite artist only for them to call us "creepy as fuck". Ok, maybe we've not ALL been there, but thousands of Doja Cat stans were last year, whilst just a few days ago The Pretenders upset a bunch of their most hardcore fans in an Instagram post that has since been deleted. It offered us the chance to get into the fan/artist relationship on this week's podcast, as well as Greg reporting back from Sexyland World, a club in Amsterdam, and Stu from the perhaps less sexy Barbican Centre in London. We won't pretend that we planned this, but every element of this week's show, from Joni Mitchell at the Hollywood Bowl to Greg's Top 3 challenge, happens to based around live music. Oh. And we're calling our listeners Werewolves now. Cheers. Further reading/listening/viewing Heartworms Loud And Quiet interview boygenius Loud And Quiet interview Robbie Williams' art exhibition ADE Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Charli XCX's Brat remix album reimagines what a remix album can be in 2024, we discuss that release and trace the remix record back to its unexpected origins. Charli's record certainly is a different approach to what Green Day have done recently with their Dookie Demastered stunt, which we also get into. Then we get into the serious business of an age old question: Do you need to know the lyrics to a song – and their meaning – to be able to truly love it? As Stu puts Greg's appalling memory to the test, we're ultimately searching for a big fat NO on this one, otherwise Greg may never work again. Our Beat The Algorithm recommendations too. And Stu puts Greg on the spot for his favourite music venues in this week's Top 3. (This also ends badly for Greg.) You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Dookie DeMastered Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven years ago Laura Marling came on episode 19 of the podcast at a very different time in her life. As she prepares to release her 8th album, Patterns in Repeat, this month (25 Oct), she does so as a new mother, who's trained to become a yoga teacher, who's gained a masters in psychoanalysis, who's formed a band called LUMP, who's quite touring, who's communicating directly with fans via a quite brilliant Substack newsletter about the craft of songwriting. All of the above is covered in this week's episode of Midnight Chats, as well as discussion about death, T.V., secretly cooking for Damon Albarn and John Paul Jones with not great results, and the beauty of a new, sparse album recorded with a baby daughter literally by your side in your living room. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Coldplay on QVC Laura Marling's Patterns in Repeat Substack Dog Unit's At Home, Still EP Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a musician dies and leaves behind unfinished music, what should happen to it? Shelved forever? Released in its current state? Completed by someone else? On this week's episode Greg and Stu get into when posthumous albums are a good idea and when they most certainly aren't, from last week's SOPHIE album, to work from Michael Jackson, Tupac, Biggie Smalls and Elliott Smith. But not before sharing the week's headlines about Radiohead going Shakespeare, Tears For Fears going AI, and Green Day going anti-Vegas. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Hamlet Hail to the Thief tickets Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's been our most awkward interview yet? How do we charm our guests? Who have we been starstruck by? And c'mon guys, why is this thing called 'Midnight Chats'? As our podcast reaches its 150 episode, Greg and Stu celebrate by showing how the sausage is made, sharing stories and their tricks of the trade while trading some of their favourite clips from MC's illustrious history, and answering our listeners' questions about which guest has had the smoothest hands. Also in this special episode, Stu premieres his new jingle for Beat The Algorithm, he and Greg give you their new music tips, and Greg faces this week's Top 3. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The summer slump is over and what feels like hundreds of artists are gearing up for new albums this autumn. On this week's episode, Greg and Stu get into what coming soon from The Cure, FKA Twigs, Coldplay and more, along with the recent implosion of rock giants Jane's Addiction, while a meeting with Laura Marling last week opened up the question of are music fans starting to lose their love for vinyl? We also introduce a new regular feature where each week we'll recommend some new artist, which will be added to the playlist below. And yeah, we're sticking with our Top 3 challenge too. This week, it involves Stu's house being on fire. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing Listen to our new Beat the Algorithm Spotify playlist Eusexua video from FKA Twigs That Jane’s Addiction scrap Rosie Carr's Bandcamp Greg's Nilüfer cover interview Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the last 5 years, London band Black Midi have pushed experimental rock music to new and thrilling places, inspired as much by jazz fusion as math rock and no wave. But last month, quite unexpectedly, the trio split up. It was meant to be kept a secret, until singer and frontman Geordie Greep announced the news on Instagram. One week later, he announced his debut solo album, boldly titled The New Sound (out this month via Rough Trade Records). Stu visited Geordie at his home shortly after these two bits of indie-shaking news broke, to discuss the end of the Black Midi and the start of Greep's solo career, as well as his time at the prestigious Brit School, and what makes Angels by Robbie Williams actually a very good pop song. Also on this week's show, Greg and Stu pick apart the week's headlines, lament being so rubbish at predicting who would win the Mercury Prize, and count down the greatest award show speeches of all time. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing Black Midi Loud And Quiet interview Geordie Greep 'Holy Holy' video Lenny Henry full MOBO 2015 speech Bjork's grateful grapefruit Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part of this week's episode of MC comes from End of the Road festival, where Stu met up with Irish drone folk band Lankum and put your questions to Long Island sibling duo The Lemon Twigs. Even the one about the Muppets. Back home Greg and Stu unpacked the fiasco surrounding Oasis' ticket sale nightmare, particularly the scam that is "dynamic" ticket pricing. And what's all this about the Smiths reunion not being as improbable as we'd all started to think. God help us all! Other music news too, and 3 bands we think should have never reformed. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing ML Buch on Bandcamp Nourished by Time on Bandcamp Lankum Loud And Quiet cover feature Videopia at End of the Road Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like it or not, Oasis are back together for the reunion tour that's surprised absolutely no one. As a former stan of the band, Stu really should be feeling better about this news than he is, while Greg is just happy that he finally gets to share the extremely important role he's played in Oasis mythology. On this week's episode we get into how the story broke, what we think will happen next, and dust off our tales of seeing the band at their best and their worst. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/listening/viewing Stand By Me Little James Oasis split at Rock En Seine Noel Gallagher - Press Conference 6th July 2011 Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charli XCX's career highlight was coming on our podcast back in 2018, for what turned out to be a rushed conversation about art school, living in LA, writing songs for Blondie and seeing songs as colours. With Charli's career still doing reasonably well due to the release of this year's album, Brat, on this week's podcast we revisit that conversation to see if it was as bad as Stu thought it was at the time, consider what it tells us about the rise of Charli, and ask what's next for the undisputed queen of alt. pop. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of their new album Romance, people can't stop talking about Fontaines D.C.'s new look. One week after Glastonbury, the Dublin band's singer, Grian Chatten, had Stu round to his flat to discuss the reason behind the band's new aesthetic, his prolific writing process, a strange 9 days spend working in a bar in L.A., and a record that draws influence from Korn, Lana Del Rey and Shygirl. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/viewing: Starburster video Jade 'Angel of My Dreams' video Loud And Quiet 2019 cover feature Chris de Burgh in The Mighty Boosh Sister Midnight Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York musician Cassandra Jenkins really shouldn't be on Midnight Chats, or any podcast talking about her new album, My Light, My Destroyer, because that record, near-perfect though it is, was never going to be made. On this week's episode she tells Stu about how she had decided to quite music after releasing her last album, but things went unexpectedly well, so here we are, discussing one of the best albums that will be released in 2024, Jenkins' obsession with space, finding inspiration in a billionaire sending Captain Kirk into space, her Manhattan home life living with her parents, and what happens next is this "bonus round" of her life. You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod. Further reading/viewing: Our 10/10 album review of My Light, My Destroyer The moment William Shatner returned to Earth The mighty Zabar's Credits: Editing by Stuart Stubbs Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines Artwork by Kate Prior See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.