Ep 140: Sleaford Mods on 10 years of Divide & Exit, and one very bleak album launch

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 PriorSee 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 PriorSee 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 PriorSee 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 PriorSee 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 PriorSee 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 PriorSee 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 PriorSee 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 PriorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.