Explore every episode of the podcast Midnight Chats

Hello Hello. Here is a very quick Midnight Chats update, and something of a bonus conversation I (Stu) had with Patrick Wolf for my new Loud And Quiet Podcast. 

For part 2 and to follow this new show, just search for The Loud And Quiet Podcast wherever you get your shows. And find more info on what that is at loudandquiet.substack.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels a little strange that the start of a new year has coincided with end of this series of Midnight Chats. But then, we have been on a 45 week run. 

Before we take a little time off to work out what's next for the show, Greg and Stu offer up a parting gift to get our listeners through the coming months, in the form a 2025 preview episode. Who will win big at the Grammy's and Brits? How did Lana Del Rey sell out two nights at Wembley? Will Neil Young make it to Glastonbury? And seriously, has anyone worked out why Robbie Williams is a played by an ape in his biopic? 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Further reading/listening/viewing:

Sign up to the Loud And Quiet Weekly newsletter on Substack

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.

Newcastle folk legend, semi-keen gardener and hater of Christmas Richard Dawson rings in the New Year with tales of nervously meeting Louis Theroux, the time Mitski's fans screamed at his idiosyncratic music as if he was The Beatles, and how he wrote his new album End of the Middle from his allotment shed. Plus how to navigate your early 40s, and whether or not is should involving buying a bright yellow puffer jacket.

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Further reading/listening/viewing:

Richard's video for new single Polytunnel

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.

What a year it's been... for some people. Others have had real stinkers. 

For the final 2024 episode of Midnight Chats, Greg and Stu look back at the highs and lows of the year and ask how the history books will remember its music moments. Kendrick versus Drake. Morrissey verses Marr. Oasis versus themselves. Charli, Chappell and Sabrina. It's all here in this Boxing Day special!  

Credits:

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Willem Olenski

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Following on from last week's Mercury Prize predictions episode, Greg and Stu dive into this year's shortlist to see how wrong they were as they cast judgement on which of the nominated records they think might actually have a chance of winning this year's award.

Stu picks out a clip from our 2018 Charli XCX episode, and you'll all invited to play our Mercury Prize audio quiz, safe in the knowledge that you'll more probably be better at it than Greg was.  

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.

In two days time (25 July), the short list for the 2024 Mercury Prize will be announced. On this week's show, Stu and Greg discuss who they think will DEFINITELY be on the list, and who they hope will be. 

Greg also spills the beans on what it's like to be on the Mercury Prize judging panel (something he's done 3 times), we ask how relevant the award is in the instant age of TikTok, and throw in some of all-time our favourite past winners. 

Come back next week to see just how right we were about our nailed-on nominees. 

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.

As Nottingham duo Sleaford Mods release a 10-year anniversary edition of their breakthrough album Divide & Exit, frontman and lyricist Jason Williamson revisits the album that changed his life, the time he threw the bleakest album release party of all time, and how he finally found success in his 40s on his 7th album.   

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

'Tied Up In Nottz' video

Modern Life is Rubbish... still – early Loud And Quiet interview from 2014

Sleaford Mod Loud And Quiet archive

 Jason on Episode 65 of the podcast

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look around and you’d be forgiven for feeling the world is completely broken in 2024. War. Division. Crises. How did we get here? That’s the fundamental question Norwegian songwriter AURORA explores on her latest album What Happened To The Heart?. It’s a project that is technicolor in feeling, and in sound.

Host Greg Cochrane went to meet her to talk about activism, conflict and why she and the iconic Brian Eno are like “an old married couple”. It’s a deep listen, for sure, but these are deep times – even if you can focus on the glimmers of light. 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Hear Brian Eno discussing his work with AURORA on episode 127 of Midnight Chats

The letter ‘We Are The Earth’ by Sônia Guajajara and Célia Xakriabá

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuart got the hot ticket. Greg did not. In the field, and from the sofa at home, Midnight Chats does Glastonbury 2024. 

Your hosts tackle the biggest talking points from the most famous music festival in the world. Did Dua Lipa fulfill her promise to turn Worthy Farm into a club on her headliner debut? Was SZA's microphone fresh out of batteries? Did Coldplay bring the world together in a moment of communal feeling, or was it a bad acid trip? Did Louis Tomlinson steal a TV from the local Curries? All these essential questions answered, and more.

What did you make of this episode. Please let us know and share your thoughts and questions at Greg@loudandquiet.com or DM us on Instagram @midnightchatspod. 

And for those in the UK (sorry to those elsewhere), here are links to our top performances on BBC iPlayer. You've a month to watch before they disappear. 

Sampha 
IDLES
AURORA

Little Simz
Coldplay

LCD Soundsystem 
Dua Lipa 
Confidence Man
PJ Harvey 

Everything is bigger and better at Glastonbury, including my unexpected fits of crying

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Smith from Leeds band Yard Act met New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo at Glastonbury festival a couple of years ago when the pair were watching little Simz. Since then, Smith's group has invited Matafeo to sing on their second album, Where's My Utopia?, star in one of their music videos and open for them in their hometown.

What better excuse did we need to get them both in a room to discuss the time Rose accidentally put her hand up Jools Holland's back just after Rod Stewart winked at her, the horrible gig that led to James writing the song Rose would become the face of, what Taskmaster is really like to film, and how James and Yard Act will attempt to navigate this year's Glastonbury. 

Watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Yard Act 'Petroleum' video starring Rose

Rose's Taskermaster country rap song

Yard Act perform 'Dream Job' live on Later... with Jools Holland

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frontman with one of Britain’s biggest modern rock bands, Yannis Philippakis recently launched Yannis & The Yaw – not so much a solo project, more of an experiment in collaboration. Dial back seven years and Yannis spent time writing songs with one of his heroes, the icon drummer Tony Allen – godfather of Afrobeat and distinguished collaborator with everyone from Damon Albarn to Air. The result is a posthumous project – Allen died in 2020 – titled ‘Lagos Paris London’ released in August 2024. 

Yannis goes deep with host Greg Cochrane about his “cross generational” bond with Allen, and the other legendary artists he'd love write with Yannis & The Yaw. Plus, he discusses the evolving future of his band Foals, chats about his passion for gardening and why he’s writing music for some contemporary theatre productions. 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

More Yannis? He joined us on episode 64 of Midnight Chats back in 2019

Check out the videos for Yannis & The Yaw tracks ‘Under The Strikes’ and ‘Walk Through Fire’

Further reading: Yannis on his love for gardening, interviewed in The Telegraph 

The Confessions theatre production Yannis wrote the score for in 2023 

From 2023: Original bassist Walter Gervers rejoins Foals, via NME

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annie Clark has been recording as St. Vincent since 2007, collaborating with David Byrne and Paul McCartney along the way, and proving herself as one of the best guitarists (and songwriters) in the world. 

In more recent years she's written a number one hit single (aren't they all) for Taylor Swift, co-written and starred in her debut feature film, The Nowhere Inn, with her close friend Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney, and released her 7th album All Born Screaming in April 2024. 

On this week's show she talks with Stu about her early years in mid-00s CULT band (in every sense of the word) The Polyphonic Spree, why nobody liked her film, her close encounters with Steve Albini, and how she got childhood hero Dave Grohl to drum on her new record.

Watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

The Nowhere Inn trailer

Video to 'Broken Man', ft Dave Grohl

The Polyphonic Spree on Tour - 2005 mini doc

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Londoner Lynks used to make the type of straight-faced, emotional music that all of his friends were making, until one day, for a bit of fun, he decided to adopt a masked drag persona and lean into being an entertainer. His thumping alt. pop songs since have centred around his experiences as a young queer person, with songs about sex with strangers delivered with a bluntness that is matched by Lynks' wicked sense of humour. This is, after all, an artist that also has a song exclusively about how to make a bechamel sauce. 

Speaking in April 2024 with Stu before his show in Cambridge, England, Lynks discusses the moment he unexpectedly unlocked his successful new act, how he approached debut album Abomination, what could be expected from his camp, prop-heavy show that night, and why it's more satisfying to make people dance than cry with your music. 

Watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Our Abomination review

Our early interview with Lynks (2019)

'(What Did You Expect From) Sex With a Stranger' video 

'How To Make a Beshamel Sauce in 10 Steps (with pictures)' video 

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam T. Herring’s distinctive growl and spectacular dance moves may still be one of the best known things about Future Islands, but away from the chest-thumping on stage he's a charismatic, thoughtful and humble guy. 

Greg Cochrane caught up with him to talk about his recent move into acting (he starred in TV series The Changling last year), the heartbreak channeled in Future Islands’ most recent album ‘People Who Aren't There Anymore’ and why he’s a diehard follower of an average British football team (sorry, Everton fans). 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Sam T. Herring speaks to Stuart on episode 22 of Midnight Chats

Watch the trailer for the TV show Sam stars in, ‘The Changling’ 

Future Islands return to the UK in July 2024 to play Crystal Palace Bowl - more info

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Crutchfield aka American artist Waxahatchee joins Stu on the podcast to look back on how she arrived at her sixth album, Tigers Blood, following on from her 2021 breakthrough record Saint Cloud. 

Just what does having a breakthrough record do to an artist? How will Katie navigate 2024? Is MJ Lenderman the most talented young dude in US indie rock right now? And what was Charlie Sheen talking about when he said he was drinking Tigers Blood back in 2011? 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to Tigers Blood on Bandcamp

'Right Back To It' live on the Late Show with MJ Lenderman

Waxahatchee 2013 interview around Cerulean Salt

Charlie Sheen's Tiger's Blood moment

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blessed Madonna – truly one of the most engaging, fun and opinionated guests we’ve welcomed onto Midnight Chats. 

One of the world’s foremost DJs, producers and curators, Marea Stamper invited Greg Cochrane to her intimate London studio Godspeed to record this colourful conversation. 

Topics covered: 2024 and this turbulent time in politics and journalism; her unique relationship with the iconic track ‘Marea (We Lost Dancing)’ by Fred again… and stories of cooking pasta for Daft Punk when they literally came to the house. 

Oh, and while there’s still no confirmed release date for her much anticipated debut album, there’s lots of chat about what to expect when it does finally drop. 

Enjoy! 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Watch the video for 'Marea (We Lost Dancing)' 

'Happier' – listen to the single on YouTube 

The Evening Standard article about Maria's response to PM Rishi Sunak using her music

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A. G. Cook joins Stu on this week's show to talk about the visionary hyperpop label he founded in 2013 and closed in 2023 (PC Music), his work with Charli XCX as her creative director, co-writing a song for Beyonce, growing up an only child as the son of radical architects, and his new 3-disc, 24-track, 100 minutes long album, Britpop.

A completely singular creative mind, this episode was recorded face to face in April 2024. It could have easily gone on for hours. 

Give the show a follow on Instagram at @midnightchatspod for clips and more.

Further links:

Powering down: the story and legacy of PC Music – Loud And Quiet

The World According to Archigram – The Guardian

Beyonce – All Up In Your Mind

A. G. Cook – Britpop

A. G. Cook – Soulbreaker

Witchfork

Wandcamp

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and Mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s surprising to find 23-year-old British songwriter GRIFF’s feet firmly on the ground, given her extraordinary experiences the past three years. 

It’s been a steep rocket ride: from bedroom songwriter to a powerful breakthrough performance at the BRITs, and onto the stages of stadiums with Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran. Coldplay’s Chris Martin is such a fan the duo collaborated on the song ‘Astronaut’. 

And so here we are in 2024, and GRIFF is preparing to release her debut album vertigo in July. Not before she tells Greg Cochrane about growing up in sleepy Hertfordshire feeling like an outsider, being a foster sibling and eating chips with her all time icon Taylor Swift. 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Watch GRIFF’s live performance of Black Hole at the 2021 BRIT Awards 

Listen to the single ‘Miss Me Too’ 

The making of ‘Astronaut’ with Coldplay’s Chris Martin 

GRIFF welcomes special guests to try and ‘Beat The Clock’ 

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

London-born musician Anna B Savage talks to Stu in this particularly freewheeling episode of Midnight Chats that covers topics including meeting Cillian Murphy, present-opening etiquette, music industry anxiety, and what the hell is success anyway?! 

Stu also reveals to Anna where she is/was on the Loud And Quiet 2023 Albums of the Year list. And then there's a song to end.

Give the show a follow on Instagram at @midnightchatspod for clips and more.

This episode was recored in November 2023.

Further links:

Listen to Anna's cover of 'A Girl Like You'

Read our most recent interview with Anna from issue 157 of Loud And Quiet

Read the full L&Q Albums of the Year 2023

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and Mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surprise! When you get an icon like Brian Eno on the podcast, it cannot wait until our usual Monday night drop. So we come to you early. 

Welcome to this special, bonus "Earth Day" (22 April) edition of the podcast. Brian Eno is a trailblazing musician, producer and activist. Working with everyone from U2 to Talking Heads, Coldplay to Grace Jones, he's also deeply passionate about climate action, and is the co-founder of Earth/Percent.

Today they launch Sounds Right where a group of huge artists are releasing new music where "NATURE" is the featured artist, and receives credit and royalty. A radically simple initiative. No biggy, but Brian's song is one he originally co-wrote with David Bowie. 'Get Real' features hyenas and some wild pigs. 

Greg Cochrane went to his legendary studio in London in March 2024 to record this conversation. 

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

He also talks about the release of the "definitive Brian Eno documentary" – a new movie premiering in London on about the story of his life. This is Eno, though, there is a twist. It's a generative film powered by AI so will be different everytime it's screened. Plus, he demos Greg some previously unheard music and talks about the geopolitical state of the world in 2024. 

Enjoy. We'll be back in your feeds as usual this coming Monday night at midnight (BST). 

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to the reimagined 'Get Real' by Brian Eno and David Bowie

Read more about Earth/Percent

Check out the Sounds Right initiative and listen to the songs 

More about 'Eno' the "definitive" documentary about Brian's life

Stream the accompanying soundtrack to the 'Eno' movie 

Brian's musical contributions to Sounds Right used The Listening Planet – a non-profit acoustic ecology sound library

Jarvis Cocker discussing his 'Biophobia' music and climate project 

Hard Art – a think tank for creative resistance 

Listen to Brian Eno speaking to Greg on the Sounds Like A Plan podcast 

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybe you were reminded of the genius songwriting of US duo MGMT when their song ‘Time To Pretend’ recently popped up on the Saltburn film soundtrack?

Ever since their breakthrough in 2007, with songs like ‘Kids’ and ‘Electric Feel’, the duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser have continued to release a stream of compelling new music. 

Greg Cochrane spoke to them from their homes in America on opposite coasts to wind back the clock on meeting them for the first time in 2007, and hear early stories of their surreal meetings with Sir Paul McCartney, Arctic Monkeys and Adele. 

Plus, MGMT discuss performing their debut album Oracular Spectacular live (hello Broadway?), the period during COVID-19 where their song ‘Little Dark Age’ seemed to soundtrack every video on the internet and their future plans as a band. 

You can watch clips of the podcast online, now just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

This episode was recored in December 2023.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode: 

Listen to MGMT’s new album ‘Loss Of Life’ album - out now - my favourite tracks are ‘People in the Streets’ and ‘Nothing Changes’ 

Watch MGMT’s video for ‘Bubblegum Dog’ on YouTube

Kid Cudi joins MGMT on stage at Coachella 2014

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs 

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard don't just make a LOT of records (they've released 25 since they started 11 years ago); each one comes with a different experiment at the heart of it. There's the thrash metal record; the collaborative jazz record; the microtonal record; one made exclusively on acoustic instruments; one that plays on an infinity loop. And on and on. 

Their latest (if you're quick enough), doesn't feature guitars at all – The Silver Cord is the rock band's synth only album, which we discuss a little on episode 125 of MC, with band leader Stuart Mackenzie. Along with what he remembers from those previous 24 albums, the band's origins on the Melbourne scene, and how on earth King Gizzard will come to end. If it ever will. 

Give the show a follow on Instagram and TikTok at @midnightchatspod.

This episode was recored in October 2023.

Further links:

Our KGATLW cover feature from 2017

Listen to The Silver Cord

The Discogs listing for all the bootlegged versions of Polygondwanaland

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and Mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adele – "There's something about Brittany [Howard] that puts fire in my soul – she’s so fucking full of soul, overflowing, dripping, that I almost can’t handle it."

Tonight's guest has some major, major fans: Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, Fred again..., Chris Martin. The list could go on. Yet, the former Alabama Shakes frontwomen - and x5 Grammy Award winner - is totally grounded. Not to mention a total blast to hang out with.

She spoke to Greg Cochrane from her home in Nashville, where they were joined by her two dogs Wanda and Willie. They spoke about Brittany's love of angling, meditation and ignoring her smartphone; how she's humbled by the admiration from her musician peers; Brittany's love of the her local LGBTQ+ community; whether Alabama Shakes could ever re-unite. 

Plus, she shares what must be one of THE great stories about playing a show at Prince's legendary home and studio, Paisley Park. 

Recorded in January 2024. Find video clips of the chat on Tiktok and Instagram, @Midnightchatspod.

And if you picked up Brittany in a convertible car late one night in Madrid - let us know!

Further links:

Kissydollsusadirect.com

Brittany's second solo album What Now, was released in February 2024. 

Watch the lyric video for 'Prove It To You' 

Episode shout outs: 

Interview by Greg Cochrane

Editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mix and mastered by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Videos by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legendary Dutch music photographer and filmmaker Anton Corbijn is the man who's made black and white photography his own since 1979, while shooting everyone from Joy Division to Depeche Mode to Bowie to The Rolling Stones. He became the visual creative director of Depeche Mode and U2 around the time he started directing some of the most iconic music videos of our time, from 'Enjoy The Silence' to Nirvana's 'Heart Shaped Box'. 

In 2007, Anton directed the Ian Curtis biopic Control starring Sam Riley, followed by Hollywood studio picture The American, starring George Clooney, in 2010. 

We talk about all of this and Corbijn's latest documentary Squaring The Circle in this week's podcast. 

Give the show a follow on Instagram and TikTok at @midnightchatspod.

This episode was recored in July 2023.

Further links:

One of Anton's icon Joy Division tube station photos

Nirvana's 'Heart Shaped Box'

Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy The Silence'

Control trailer

The American trailer

Squaring The Triangle trailer

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and Mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over black coffee and biscuits at his kitchen table at home in Bristol IDLES' vocalist Joe Talbot speaks to Greg Cochrane. 

In discussion: Joe's mental health, his band and the state of UK politics. Plus, talk of transformative parenthood, working with LCD Soundsystem and his new music plans with Jamie T and Willie J. Healey.  

Recorded in December 2023 - find video clips of the chat on our socials, we're @Midnightchatspod. 

Further links:

Joe Talbot on episode 94 of Midnight Chats. 

Read IDLES' cover feature interview with Loud And Quiet from 2018. 

Listen to IDLES recently released album 'Tangk'.

Episode shout outs: 

Interview by Greg Cochrane. 

Editing by Stuart Stubbs. 

Mix and master by Flo Lines. 

Artwork by Kate Prior.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American musician Natalie Mering – aka Weyes Blood – talks to Stu on the first episode of our new series, about growing up in (and returning to LA), her early beginnings in various DIY noise scenes around the country, and the time she met Lou Reed on the Occupy Wall Street demo in 2011. 

Recorded in November 2023.

Further links:

Our various Weyes Blood interviews for Loud And Quiet

Our review of And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglo

Natalie's cover for Titanic Rising

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and Mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a bit of a break, Midnight Chats from Loud And Quiet is back, with a huge series that starts 12 March 2024. 

Here's a quick bit of info about what Stu and Greg have coming up over the next weeks and months, including new interviews with Weyes Blood, IDLES, Future Islands, Waxahatchee, Anton Corbijn and many more artists for your late-night listening pleasure. 

For the first time, we also have some new social channels on Instagram and TikTok, where we'll be sharing some video clips from our interviews and much more. Find us @midnightchatspod.

Give us a follow on Instagram and TikTok. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of his debut solo album, Hideous Bastard, The xx's Oliver Sim talks to Stuart Stubbs about that record, the horror film he's made to go with it, and the secret of being in a band with friends you've known since you were 3 years old.

This episode is supported by Southbank Centre

Buy tickets for the Loraine James show on October 2

Buy tickets for Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan on October 27

10% off tickets for our party at Village Underground on September 19, with Theon Cross, Lunch Money Life and Donna Thompson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special edition of the podcast, Midnight Chats comes to you from a park wall Barcelona where Squid singer and drummer Ollie Judge and Stuart Stubbs talk about NFTs, dodgy merch, Primavera Sound, riders and more.

Read our Squid cover feature

Order our Squid issue

Order some L&Q fleece mittens (I think we have a few left)

Become a member of Loud And Quiet

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

West London rapper AJ Tracey talks to Stuart Stubbs about his beloved Tottenham Hotspurs, fine dining, gaming, Japanese art and hip hop, of course.

Takashi Murikami's An Arrow Through History exhibition

'Reasonable' video

'Thiago Silva' video with Dave video

'Ladbroke Grove' video

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.