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  • INHALER announce new album ‘Open Wide’ & biggest ever UK tour
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XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Kaiser Chiefs
          Gigs

          Kaiser Chiefs announce 2025 UK outdoor shows to celebrate 20 years of ‘Employment’

          November 1, 2024

          After announcing a massive hometown show at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park for May 2025, to celebrate 20 years of their iconic debut album Employment, Yorkshire indie icons Kaiser Chiefs announce further 20th anniversary celebration shows […]

          INHALER 
          News

          INHALER announce new album ‘Open Wide’ & biggest ever UK tour

          November 1, 2024

          INHALER has today announced details of their new album alongside their biggest-ever UK tour and a string of dates in Europe and Asia. The Dublin four-piece will release their third album, ‘Open Wide,’ on February 7th via Polydor […]

          IN FOCUS// The Cure at The SSE Arena Belfast
          News

          BBC2 to Celebrate The Cure’s New Album ‘Songs of a Lost World’ with a Special Evening of Programming

          November 1, 2024

          THE CURE’s long-awaited, critically acclaimed new album, SONGS OF A LOST WORLD, their first new release in 16 years, is out now. The band will be performing their only scheduled show of the year tonight […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure – Songs of a Lost World

          October 25, 2024

          After a sixteen-year wait, Songs of a Lost World, The Cure’s highly anticipated fourteenth studio album, has finally arrived. Rumours about the release date began circulating as far back as 2018, a testament to frontman […]

          Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness

          October 24, 2024

          Honest – perhaps the best way to define this Melbourne four-piece, which grew from the city’s pub-rock scene. There’s no flannel, no pretences, just good old-fashioned, down-to-earth music and attitude. In this overly antiseptic world, […]

        • Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N - Esther Yi
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi

          October 30, 2023

          K-Pop has reached an international audience. This year, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-pop band to headline a major UK festival at Hyde Park. The media’s coverage of BTS member’s enlistment into compulsory military […]

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes

          August 29, 2023

          How does one become qualified to write a fictional music novel? The author of Sophomore Songs offers some clues. Growing up reading NME, doing a stint at Clash, drumming for several bands on and off, and […]

        • Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 25: Looking back at the orphan child in U2's discography 2
          Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 26: Looking back at the orphan child in U2’s discography

          March 3, 2022

          In March of 1997, 26 years ago, U2 released their much anticipated ninth studio album POP; for fans and critics alike, it quickly became their most polarizing release. There is a prevailing feeling that POP […]

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran 2
          Album Reviews

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran

          June 17, 2021

          This week sees the 40th anniversary of Duran Duran’s self-titled debut album. XS Noize looks back on this momentous release from a band that would become the ‘Fab Five’ of the ‘80s. It was December […]

        • Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Dhani Harrison at EartH, London
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Dhani Harrison at EartH, London

          October 24, 2024

          Anticipation was high when Dhani Harrison released his debut album IN///PARALLEL in 2017. Prior to that, he had already established himself as a thoughtful and accomplished musician through his work with bands like The New […]

          Crowded House
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Crowded House at O2 Arena, London

          October 12, 2024

          Crowded House has been remarkably prolific in recent years, with a quarter of their albums released in the 2020s—a striking feat for a band that first formed in 1985. This makes sense, given the band’s […]

        • Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018
          Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

          December 22, 2018

          2018 has been an incredible year for albums. The year saw the strongest new acts in decades release their debuts, as well as a number of alternative legends returning to top form. The world of dance […]

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP
          Round Up

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

          October 29, 2018

          Welcome to the October 2018 edition of our monthly new music playlist, which is available to listen to and watch via YouTube. If you enjoy any of the songs featured here, we encourage you to support […]

        • In Focus

          IN FOCUS// The Waeve at Village Underground, London Credit: Denise Esposito
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// The Waeve at Village Underground, London

          November 1, 2024

          On October 29, 2024, The Waeve (Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall) performed a sold-out show at London’s Village Underground. This concert marked their largest headline performance to date, celebrating the release of their second […]

          IN FOCUS// Lacuna Coil at Rock City, Nottingham Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Lacuna Coil at Rock City, Nottingham

          October 31, 2024

          Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil delivered an electrifying performance at Rock City in Nottingham just days before Halloween, setting the perfect tone for the spooky season. The band’s dynamic vocal duo—Cristina Scabbia and Andrea […]

  • Gigs
        • Kaiser Chiefs
          Gigs

          Kaiser Chiefs announce 2025 UK outdoor shows to celebrate 20 years of ‘Employment’

          November 1, 2024

          After announcing a massive hometown show at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park for May 2025, to celebrate 20 years of their iconic debut album Employment, Yorkshire indie icons Kaiser Chiefs announce further 20th anniversary celebration shows […]

          The Horrors
          Gigs

          To mark Halloween, The Horrors release new track ‘Trial By Fire’

          October 31, 2024

          To mark Halloween, The Horrors today release ‘Trial By Fire’, the second track to be taken from their recently announced sixth studio album ‘Night Life’, out March 21st via Fiction Records. The band will play […]

          Scissor Sisters
          Gigs

          Scissor Sisters Return To Celebrate The 20th Anniversary Of Their No.1 Album ‘Scissor Sisters’

          October 31, 2024

          The long-awaited reunion that fans have been clamouring for is here: Scissor Sisters are back and readying their first live shows in over 12 years. 2024 marks the 20-year anniversary of the band’s debut album […]

  • Interviews
        • M the Myth
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: M the Myth on ‘Pin-Up Boy,’ Social Media Insights & 2025 Plans

          November 1, 2024

          M the Myth is someone not afraid to break boundaries. An artist who identifies as trans-non-binary, both they and their music represent what it means to be unashamedly yourself. Myth’s music serves as a mouthpiece […]

          KiKi Holli
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: KiKi Holli Discusses Her New Single ‘WIN U OVER’

          October 21, 2024

          Los Angeles-based, multi-faceted pop singer-songwriter KiKi Holli recently released her new single, “WIN U OVER,” a contagious Nu Disco track produced by Grammy-nominated Ethan Allen. “WIN U OVER” follows on the heels of Holli’s dance […]

          Hana Giraldo
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Hana Giraldo Talks ‘Reputation’, Artistic Influences & Social Media

          September 20, 2024

          They say talent often runs in the family, for Hana Giraldo, that has undoubtedly proven to be true. As the daughter of iconic musicians Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Hana has carved her path in […]

  • Podcast
        • Into the Depths: Sister Ghost Discusses the Creation of 'Beyond the Water'
          Podcasts

          Into the Depths: Sister Ghost Discusses the Creation of ‘Beyond the Water’

          October 30, 2024

          In Episode #198 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Irish artist Sister Ghost about her long-awaited debut album, Beyond The Water. Recorded in Los Angeles in the summer of 2022 with producer […]

          Wendy James
          Podcasts

          Shaping the Past and Future: Wendy James on Her New Album ‘The Shape of History’

          October 23, 2024

          In Episode #197 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Wendy James about her new album, The Shape Of History. English singer-songwriter Wendy James burst onto the British music scene in 1988 as […]

          Unveiling Ecce Homo: Gavin Friday on Music, Art, and Self-Expression
          Podcasts

          Gavin Friday Unveils the Creative Journey Behind His New Album ‘Ecce Homo’

          October 16, 2024

          In Episode #196 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Irish renaissance man Gavin Friday about his highly anticipated new solo album Ecce Homo out 25th October. The new album – produced by […]

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Articles by Sandra Blemster

Xsnoize Author
Sandra Blemster
Sandra mainly writes about indie/rock bands and has written many features, album reviews and interviews for XS Noize. Favourite bands and albums is a long list but to name a few Horslips, REM, Love, The Doors, Let It Bee – Voice of the Beehive, Velvet Underground and Nico album. (Ozric Tentacles live), October Drift. Sandra likes yoga, reading a good book, watching films, Netflix and drinking wine.
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ALBUM REVIEW: THE JOY FORMIDABLE – HITCH
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: THE JOY FORMIDABLE – HITCH

April 14, 2016 Sandra Blemster

The Joy Formidable the Welsh trio (now based in London) are back with their third album Hitch which they made in their Red Brick studio in Mold, North Wales. Fronted by Rhiannon “Ritzy” Bryan it […]

ALBUM REVIEW: WENDY JAMES - THE PRICE OF THE TICKET
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: WENDY JAMES – THE PRICE OF THE TICKET

April 1, 2016 Sandra Blemster

Does Wendy James really need any introduction? We knew her back in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the punky vixen of Transvision Vamp who had hits with I Want Your Love and Baby […]

FUTURE ELEVATORS share new track 'ALABAMA SONG' off debut album
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: FUTURE ELEVATORS – FUTURE ELEVATORS

March 29, 2016 Sandra Blemster

Future Elevators and their self-titled debut album is the invention of Birmingham, Alabama born Michael Shackleford who was raised on music. His grandfather ran a music school in Birmingham, his uncle plays guitar for the […]

STRAWBERRY STUDIOS FOREVER –THE ABBEY ROAD OF THE NORTH 1
Features

STRAWBERRY STUDIOS FOREVER –THE ABBEY ROAD OF THE NORTH

March 9, 2016 Sandra Blemster

Back in the late 1960s apart from London, there were no other professional recording facilities at the time. Strawberry Studios began its incarnation in 1967 in Stockport, Manchester when local man Peter Tattersall (who had […]

ALBUM REVIEW: TREETOP FLYERS - PALOMINO
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: TREETOP FLYERS – PALOMINO

February 26, 2016 Sandra Blemster

The Treetop Flyers burst onto the scene with their debut 2013’s the Mountain Moves to rave reviews. Taking their name from a Stephen Stills song they captivated the music press. Now in 2016 they are […]

CAGE THE ELEPHANT - announce UK & Europe shows in February 2016
Interviews

INTERVIEW: MATT SHULTZ from CAGE THE ELEPHANT

February 21, 2016 Sandra Blemster

I’m sat backstage at the 02 Ritz in Manchester whilst various roadies pass by up and down the stairs. I’m waiting to interview Matt Shultz, lead singer of Kentucky based Cage the Elephant whose fourth […]

ALBUM REVIEW: FUN LOVIN' CRIMINALS - Come Find Yourself – 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS – Come Find Yourself – 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

February 19, 2016 Sandra Blemster

Hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we heard the dulcet tones of Dah dah dah Fun Lovin’ Criminals and the album Come Find Yourself. First released on 20th February 1996 and incorporating an […]

ALBUM REVIEW: THE JEZABELS - SYNTHIA
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: THE JEZABELS – SYNTHIA

February 6, 2016 Sandra Blemster

The Jezabels were conceived almost 10 years ago when students Hayley Mary (vocals), Samuel Lockwood (guitars), Heather Shannon (pianist/keyboardist) and drummer Nik Kaloper met at Sydney University. They took their name from the Biblical character […]

ALBUM REVIEW:  MT DOUBT - MY PAST IS A QUIET BEAST
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: MT DOUBT – MY PAST IS A QUIET BEAST

February 3, 2016 Sandra Blemster

Mt Doubt was created at the beginning of last year by Edinburgh-based Leo Bargery and his debut album My Past is a Quiet Beast produced by Mark Morrow (of The Winter Tradition) has picked up […]

ALBUM REVIEW: ELECTRIC EYE - DIFFERENT SUN
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: ELECTRIC EYE – DIFFERENT SUN

January 18, 2016 Sandra Blemster

Recorded in Broen Studio in West Norway January 2015 in the aftermath of a hurricane that ravaged Bergen on New Year’s Eve it’s not hard to see why this album has so much energy: it […]

ALBUM REVIEW: CAGE THE ELEPHANT – TELL ME I’M PRETTY
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: CAGE THE ELEPHANT – TELL ME I’M PRETTY

December 22, 2015 Sandra Blemster

Somewhere along the line I’ve missed this band. How so? I must have had my back turned. However I’m glad I’ve discovered them. Tell Me I’m Pretty is the fourth album from Kentucky based rock […]

REVIEW: LUSH: CHORUS – THE COMPLETE ALBUM COLLECTION
Album Reviews

REVIEW: LUSH: CHORUS – THE COMPLETE ALBUM COLLECTION

December 4, 2015 Sandra Blemster

It’s been almost 20 years since we’ve heard anything from the inimitable indie band Lush. Not since their split in 1998 following on from the tragic death of their drummer Chris Acland in 1996 they […]

A NORTHERN SOUL EXPERIENCE 2
Features

A NORTHERN SOUL EXPERIENCE

December 3, 2015 Sandra Blemster

Tucked away in a venue in Manchester you will find me and approximately 40 plus people feverishly following a 30-something year old guy in very wide trousers around the room. Sounds like an episode of […]

CLASSIC ALBUM REVISITED: MORRISON HOTEL – THE DOORS
Album Reviews

CLASSIC ALBUM REVISITED: MORRISON HOTEL – THE DOORS

November 22, 2015 Sandra Blemster

Some might argue that the Doors Morrison Hotel album was not their best as no hit singles came from it. But for me, I think it will always be my favourite as it spawned the likes of […]

.....What Became Of The People We Used To Be? 5
Features

…..What Became Of The People We Used To Be?

November 6, 2015 Sandra Blemster

…..What Became Of what We Used To Be Did anyone out there party in Manchester back in the day when it was Madchester? Did you “Sit Down” with James or “bang the drums” with the […]

ALBUM REVIEW: THE KINKS – SUNNY AFTERNOON  – THE VERY BEST OF
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: THE KINKS – SUNNY AFTERNOON – THE VERY BEST OF

October 26, 2015 Sandra Blemster

As the sun did shine through my window on a cold, October afternoon, I sat down to review Sunny Afternoon: The Very Best of by the Kinks, a 2cd compilation of much of their work. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: THE ZOMBIES – STILL GOT THAT HUNGER
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: THE ZOMBIES – STILL GOT THAT HUNGER

October 20, 2015 Sandra Blemster

It seems the Zombies show no sign of slowing down as their latest album, the aptly title Still Got the Hunger displays. Formed in St. Alban’s, England, in 1961 with Rod Argent on piano and Colin […]

WASTING AWAY AND WONDERING –  TEENAGE DREAMS AT A CARDIFF RECORD STORE
Features

WASTING AWAY AND WONDERING – TEENAGE DREAMS AT A CARDIFF RECORD STORE

September 27, 2015 Sandra Blemster

Back in the 1980s a shy teenage girl dressed in black and a burgundy beret could be found whiling away her time in a certain record store upstairs at Cardiff Market. That teenager was me […]

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