Midnight Chats

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.

We've reached the final episode in this mini series to bridge the gap between series of Midnight Chats, made up of a few of our favourite episodes from another podcast we made called Sweet 16, which until now has only been available to subscribers of Loud And Quiet. These are brief recordings, all in the words of the artists, who recall what they were up to when they were 16 years old. We recorded – well – 16 episodes in total, which you can fully access by subscribing to Loud And Quiet at loudandquiet.com. But in the meantime, here, at least, is what Australian musician Jehnny Beth had to say about his year as a 16-year-old when we spoke to her in February 2021. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/midnightchats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we're in between series of Midnight Chats, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite episodes from another podcast we made called Sweet 16, which until now has only been available to subscribers of Loud And Quiet. These are brief recordings, all in the words of the artists, who recall what they were up to when they were 16 years old. We recorded – well – 16 episodes in total, which you can fully access by subscribing to Loud And Quiet at loudandquiet.com. But in the meantime, here, at least, is what Australian musician Matt Baty from metal bank Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs had to say about his year as a 16-year-old when we spoke to him in August 2020 Read our cover feature with Pigs x 7 here Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/midnightchats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we're in between series of Midnight Chats, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite episodes from another podcast we made called Sweet 16, which until now has only been available to subscribers of Loud And Quiet. These are brief recordings, all in the words of the artists, who recall what they were up to when they were 16 years old. We recorded – well – 16 episodes in total, which you can fully access by subscribing to Loud And Quiet at loudandquiet.com. But in the meantime, here, at least, is what Australian musician Alex Cameron had to say about his year as a 16-year-old when we spoke to him in August 2019 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/midnightchats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we're in between series of Midnight Chats, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite episodes from another podcast we made called Sweet 16, which until now has only been available to subscribers of Loud And Quiet. These are brief recordings, all in the words of the artists, who recall what they were up to when they were 16 years old. We recorded – well – 16 episodes in total, which you can fully access by subscribing to Loud And Quiet at loudandquiet.com. But in the meantime, here, at least, is what London pop rapper Jimothy Lacoste had to say about his year as a 16-year-old when we spoke to him in Nov 2020. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/midnightchats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we're in between series of Midnight Chats, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite episodes from another podcast we made called Sweet 16, which until now has only been available to subscribers of Loud And Quiet. These are brief recordings, all in the words of the artists, who recall what they were up to when they were 16 years old. We recorded – well – 16 episodes in total, which you can fully access by subscribing to Loud And Quiet at loudandquiet.com. But in the meantime, here, at least, is what folk legend Shirley Collins had to say about her year as a 16-year-old when we spoke to her in May 2021. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/midnightchats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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.

Michelle Zauner aka Japanese Breakfast talk to Stuart Stubbs about her recent night out at the Grammys, her memoir Crying In H Mart (and how it's being made into a movie), recent album Jubilee and getting lost wherever she goes. Try a 30-day Loud And Quiet trial Read our Japanese Breakfast cover interview Watch Michelle's video for 'Be Sweet' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician, producer, songwriter and former "wrongun'" Bernard Butler talks to Stuart Stubbs about his unorthodox music career that truly began when he walked out of a hugely successful band aged just 24 (Suede). Topics covered include: what happened immediately after his first shock move of many, why he doesn't he care for nostalgia, and where he is now – releasing a new collaborative album with actor and singer Jessie Buckley. McAlmont and Butler's 'Yes' Listen to Laura Marling on Midnight Chats Listen to Brett Anderson on Midnight Chats See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.