Best XS Manchester Podcasts (2024)

1
James 'Laid' with Saul Davies (plus bonus 'Yummy' interview). 39:35

20h ago39:35

39:35

We’ve been waiting to do this one for a while! On this episode of the XS Long Player we go back to 1993 and talk to seminal Manchester band James about their classic album ‘Laid’. Taking a rare (for the band) moment to look at the back catalogue is Saul Davies (violin, guitar in the album) who talks to Jim Salveson about working with Brian Eno, why…

1
Republica 'Republica' with Saffron Sprackling 33:30

3M ago33:30

33:30

It's another 90s classic on the turntable for this weeks XS Long Player as Jim chats to Saffron Sprackling about the debut, self-titled album from her band Repiblica. Despite looking back into the archives for this podcast and talking about some 90s classics like "Ready To Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (and how Saffron received a personal phone call…

1
Jesus Jones "Doubt" with Mike Edwards 30:21

5M ago30:21

30:21

This episode of the XS Long Player focus' on a cornerstone of the British Alternative Dance Movement... Jesus Jones' 'Doubt'. Mike Edwards joins Jim to talk about the boundary pushing album released on 21st January 1991. Mike talks about the bands concerns about trying to make a hit record, the geo-political inspiration behind some of the songs and…

1
The Snuts "W.L." with Callum Wilson 35:09

6M ago35:09

35:09

On this episode of the XS Long Plater we go into "Wee Bam Mode" with the 2021 debut album from The Snuts! Bassist Callum Wilson is taking Jim through the story of the album which on its release made the boys the first Scottish band since Then View to bag a debut No1 album! Callum talks about working with legendary producer Inflo in LA, how Covid ma…

1
The Sherlocks 'Live For The Moment' with Kiaran Crook 38:27

7M ago38:27

38:27

Having just released their FOURTH studio album 'People Like Me & You' in this episode of the XS Long Player we go right back to the beginning with The Sherlocks to take a look at their 2017 debut album. 'Live For The Moment' was recording in the iconic Rockfield studios at a time when there was a real hype around the band having had jsut become the…

1
Glasvegas "Glasvegas" with James Allan 36:41

8M ago36:41

36:41

It's back to 2008 on todays XS Long Player for a look back at the Mercury Music Prize nominated eponymous debut album fro Glaswegian band Glasvegas. Frontman and Songwriter James Allan is talking Jim Salveson through the making, inspiration behind and release of this stunning album discussing making music that "feels right", making brave musical ch…

1
Everything Everything "Man Alive" with Jonathan Higgs and Jeremy Pritchard 33:08

8M ago33:08

33:08

Ahead of the 10th Anniversary Vinyl Re-Issue of Everything Everything's "Man Alive" we celebrate the bands stunning debut album with a special XS Long Player. Jim Salveson had a good old chinwag with Jeremy and Jonathan from the band about an album that broke the mould when it was released back in 2010. They talk Beyonce-esq influences, pre-release…

1
The View "Hats Off To The Buskers" with Kyle Falconer 27:33

9M ago27:33

27:33

"I've had the same jeans on for four days now!" This episode of the XS Long Player does, of course cover THAT classic song from The View along with all the others that feature on the bands debut, number one album "Hats Off To The Buskers". Jim is joined by the Dundee bands frontman Kyle Falconer as they discuss the making of, inspiration behind and…

1
Echobelly 'On' with Sonya Maden and Glenn Johansson 27:34

11M ago27:34

27:34

A classic BritPop album is the subject of this Episode of the XS Long Player as Jim Salveson discusses Echobelly's classic second album "On" with Sonya Maden and Glenn Johansson from the band. We look back at the making of this 1995 album, the follow up to "Everybody's Got One" and discuss the albums influences, song writing process, memories from …

1
The Farm 'Spartacus' with Peter Hooton 34:10

11M ago34:10

34:10

The classic indie/rock (or whatever genre you want to pin on it) album under the microscope for this XS Long Player is The Farm's 1991 debut album 'Spartacus'. Frontman Peter Hooton sits down with Jim to discuss the making of this classic record with some fascinating insight around Peter's journey into songwriting, the buzz around the band in the e…

1
The Lottery Winners "The Lottery Winners" with Thom, Katie, Rob and Joe. 33:20

1y ago33:20

33:20

We rewind the clock to 2020 today... just before the Pandemic and to the release of The Lottery Winners debut album. This modern day classic was the culmination of a decade of writing, gigging and damn hard work for the band and resulted in a record full of energy, passion and influences. In this chat with Thom, Katie, Joe and Rob from the band we …

1
Northside "Chicken Rhythms" with Dermo. 22:52

1y ago22:52

22:52

The classic indie album in the spotlight for this episode of the XS Long Player is Northside 'Chicken Rhythms' - an album straight out of the Madchester era when the likes to the Stone Roses and the Happy Monday's were running riot. Frontman Warren Dermody (aka Dermo) talk Jim Salveson through the making of the album, the good times, the bad times,…

1
The Lathums 'How Beautiful Life Can Be' with Alex Moore 18:03

1+ y ago18:03

18:03

The youngest album to feature to date on the XS Long Player features on this episode as we head up to Wigan to take a look at the number 1, debut album from The Lathums. Being barely a year old means that the making of this classic LP is still fresh in the mind of Lathums' front man Alex Moore who spoke to Jim about his memories from the session, t…

1
Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand with Alex Kapranos 24:52

1+ y ago24:52

24:52

The classic indie album being discussed on this episode of the XS Long Player is the 2004 eponymous debut from Franz Ferdinand. Who better to talk about the 2004 Grammy-winning, Mercury nominated LP than the band's frontman Alex Kapranos? Alex shares his stories of the early days in the band, how they developed their unique sound and what the hidde…

1
Oasis 'Be Here Now' - 25th Anniversary Special 45:23

1+ y ago45:23

45:23

It may make us all feel very old but there is no denying it... 'Be Here Now' is 25 years old! Oasis 3rd album was released on 21st August 1997, just 36 months after their debut album announced the brothers Gallagher to the world. On this podcast Jim Salveson peers back through the mists of time and talks to some of the people who were in the room w…

1
Kula Shaker "K" with Crispian Mills & Alonza Bevan 20:30

2y ago20:30

20:30

We head back to 1996 and the heart of the Brit Pop era on this episode of the XS Long Player to discuss classic Kula Shaker album 'K'... an LP that became the fastest selling debut album since Oasis! For this show Jim is joined by Crispian and Alonza from the band who discuss winning (jointly with Placebo) the legendary In The City award, working w…

1
Doves 'The Last Broadcast' with Andy Williams 23:49

2y ago23:49

23:49

Amazingly, Doves second album, The Last Broadcast is 20 years old in 2022 and to mark the occasion Andy Williams from the iconic Manchester band sat down with Jim Salveson to talk through the making of their biggest album. The album charted at No1 in the album charts and also spawned the bands highest charting single to date, There Goes The Fear (i…

1
Babybird "Ugly Beautiful" with Stephen Jones 22:05

2y ago22:05

22:05

We're going back 25 years for this XS Long Player to celebrate the anniversary of a MASSIVE album from 1996... "Ugly Beautiful" from Babybird. For this episode, Jim Salveson talks to frontman Stephen Jones about his memories of making the album, going from signing on to superstardom in a few months because of the phenomenal success of the album and…

1
Travis 'The Invisible Band' with Fran Healy and Dougie Payne 27:29

2+ y ago27:29

27:29

One of the biggest albums of the 2000's features on this episode of the XS Long Player as Jim Salveson talks Travis' 'The Invisible Band' with Fran Healy and Dougie Payne. On the 20th anniversary of this classic album, the boys discuss their memories of making the album, working with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich and also what it was like re-vis…

1
Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly "The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager" with Sam Duckworth 35:18

2+ y ago35:18

35:18

This is a great chat with a brilliant artist about a stunning album. Todays classic album conversation is with Sam Duckworth aka Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly about the making of his debut album 'The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenage'. On this show Jim Salveson talks to Sam about the DIY making of the LP, the political messaging of the album and how it f…

1
Oasis 'Definitely Maybe' with Alan McGee 20:11

2+ y ago20:11

20:11

Albums don't come much more classic than Oasis' 1994 debut album 'Definitely Maybe' and that's the record being discussed on this episode of the XS Long Player. To talk about the creation of this classic album and early days of the band, Jim spoke to the boss of Creation Records Alan McGee... the man who spotted Oasis in the early 90s playing King …

1
The Subways 'Young For Eternity' with Billy Lunn 46:01

2+ y ago46:01

46:01

In this Classic album chat Jim Salveson sits down with the always lovely Billy Lunn of 00's Punk/Rock/Pop band The Subways and talks through the making of their debut album 'Young For Eternity'. Billy shares his memories of the early days of the band with Charlotte and Josh, why the band chose a DIY approach to their recordings, winning the Glaston…

1
Inspiral Carpets 'Life' with Clint Boon 37:13

2+ y ago37:13

37:13

BOOM ARMY! The Organ playing legend that is Clint Boon joins Jim on this XS Long Player to talk Inspiral Carpets and their album 'Life;. This chat with Clint not only talks about some of Clint's favourite songs on the bands debut album but also discusses the early days of the band, the birth of the MADchester scene and how a random drunk bloke take…

1
The Twang "Love It When I Feel Like This" with Phil Etheridge 23:22

2+ y ago23:22

23:22

Todays podcast is drilling down into "Love It When I Feel Like This" from The Twang, the band once dubbed Britains Next Best Band by the NME. For this classic album conversation Jim sits down with Twang front man Phil Etheridge to chat about not only the making of this LP but also the hurricane of press coverage that surrounded the band at the time…

1
Lightning Seeds "Jollification" with Ian Broudie 30:43

2+ y ago30:43

30:43

If it is feel-good vibes you want then this XS Long Player album is full of them as Jim Salveson digs deep into the 1994 album "Jollification" from Lightning Seeds. Ian Broudie is in conversation with Jim about the making of this classic album, his process in putting it together, the musical greats he worked with along the way and why, until only r…

1
Starsailor 'Love Is Here' with James Walsh 31:39

2+ y ago31:39

31:39

What an album we have on this episode of the XS Long Player... Starsailor's 00s debut 'Love Is Here. Frontman James Walsh talks Jim Salveson through the early days of the band (back to when it was called Waterface) and the recording of this classic album. If you need a reminder of exactly how good this album is then you can check out the Spotify li…

1
Babyshambles "Down In Albion" with Adam Ficek 18:41

2+ y ago18:41

18:41

Babyshambles iconic debut album 'Down In Albion' is the subject of this episode of the XS Long Player as Jim Salveson sits down with drummer Adam Ficek to talk about the album born from the ashes of The Libertines after Pete Doherty's exit... but an album that made a point of being VERY different to what came before. This is an LP that is worth rev…

1
Shed Seven "A Maximum High" with Rick Witter 26:41

2+ y ago26:41

26:41

Today we discuss one of the most underrated albums of the 90s as Rick Twitter sits down with Jim Salveson to talk about Shed 7 'A Maximum High'. Rick takes us back to the early days of the band, reveals the hidden meaning of some of the bands most loved songs and shares the unusual story of how and where the songs shaped! The album has had a specia…

1
The Vaccines "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines" with Justin Young 17:32

2+ y ago17:32

17:32

Having just celebrated its 10th anniversary, today's XS Long Player is all about The Vaccines debut album "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines". Jim say down with frontman Justin Young to chat about their classic album and dig deep into its creation, inception and the story of the bands beginnings! Listen back the album (100% you will have forgot…

1
Super Furry Animals "Rings Around The World" with Guto Pryce & Cian Ciaran 24:23

2+ y ago24:23

24:23

Welsh legends the Super Furry Animals join Jim Salveson on this episode of the XS Long Player to talk about their classic album "Rings Around the World". Cian and Guto share their stories and memories of the band's 5th albums creation as they discuss the album innovative approach, leave Creation Records for a "big label" and how they got Paul McCar…

1
Twisted Wheel "Twisted Wheel" with Rick Lees 28:47

2+ y ago28:47

28:47

It's a Manchester album for this episode of the XS Long Player that many, especially in Manchester, thought deserved to do much better from a band that could have been the next big thing from inside the M60. This Podcast is all about Twisted Wheel the debut album from the band of the same name. Jim Salveson talks to bassist Rick Lee's about the ban…

1
Dodgy "Free Peace Sweet" with Nigel Clark 31:30

2+ y ago31:30

31:30

Let's talk Dodgy's third studio album "Free Peace Sweet" on this episode of the XS Long Player, shall we? For this classic album, we rewind to 1996 and the era of Britpop to talk to frontman Nigel Clark (who doesn't really class Dodgy as part of that movement). Nigel talks about the early days of the band, about run-ins with Manic Street Preachers …

1
The Wombats "A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation" with Dan Haggis 28:55

2+ y ago28:55

28:55

Banger after banger on the classic album in focus on this Long Player episode as Jim Salveson discusses The Wombats proudly presents "A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation". Dan Haggis from the band talks us through the 2007 album from the Liverpool band that reached No11 in the UK Album charts. Listen back to the full album on Spotify: https://ope…

1
The Strokes 'Is This It' with Gordon Raphael 13:40

2+ y ago13:40

13:40

A MASSIVE album is getting the XS Long Player treatment on this podcast as Jim Salveson chats about the musical bombshell that was The Strokes debut "Is This It" with its producer Gordon Raphael. It is not over stating it in anyway to say that this album changed the face of indie/rock and injected new life into guitar music when it was released in …

1
Pigeon Detectives "Wait For Me" with Jimmi Naylor 32:05

2+ y ago32:05

32:05

On this episode we look back at Pigeon Detectives 2007 album "Wait For Me" with the bands drummer (and more) Jimmi Naylor. This was the Leeds band's debut album and it contained some MASSIVE songs that are still very much part of the bands live set today (they're still together, making music and touring). Tunes like 'Romantic Type', 'I Found Out' a…

1
Ash "1977" with Rick McMurray 35:08

3y ago35:08

35:08

A Classic Brit-Pop album that wasn't REALLY a Brit Pop album is under the microscope on this episode of the XS Long Player as Jim chats to Rick McMurray about Ash's 1996 album 1977! Rick talks about the album's influences, playing those songs live 25 years on from its release and that classic Tie Fighter intro (that George Lucas MAY still not know …

1
Blossom "Blossoms" with Blossoms. 29:01

3y ago29:01

29:01

A whole load of Blossoms going on in this podcast as Jim sits down with Tom Ogden, Charlie Salt, Josh Dewhurst, Joe Donovan and Kyle Kellock to talk about the Stockport band's self-titled debut album. Released in 2016 this album catapulted the band into the publics ears and set them onto the path into becoming Stockports most popular musical output…

1
Embrace 'The Good Will Out' with Richard McNamara 25:28

3y ago25:28

25:28

A Brit pop classic is under the microscope on this show as Embrace guitarist Richard McNamara joins Jim Salveson to discuss the bands MASSIVE debut album "The Good Will Out". Richard shares his memories, insight and stories from recording a undoubtedly classic album - and the story behind the iconic cover art that nearly never happened! Listen to t…

1
Slow Readers Club 'Cavalcade' with Aaron and Kirtis Starkie 21:22

3y ago21:22

21:22

A much love Manchester album is at the centre of todays podcast as Jim Salveson talks to Kurtis and Aaron Starkie about Slow Readers Club's second album 'Cavalcade'. The brothers share stories about the creation of this album, the love it's gained from their fans retrospectively and how they go about crafting their unique sound. Listen to the album…

1
Liam Frost and the Slowdown Family 'Show Me How The Spectres Dance' with Liam Frost 31:34

3y ago31:34

31:34

This podcast is all about the brilliant and beautiful "Show Me How The Spectres Dance" from the (equally brilliant and beautiful Liam Frost and the Slowdown Family. Released in 2006 this was Liam's debut album and was a piece of work that is still loved by many music fans in Manchester and beyond. If you've never heard the album before then now is …

1
Bloc Party 'Silent Alarm' with Gordon Moakes 30:52

3y ago30:52

30:52

This episode of the XS Long Player focus' on one of the stand out albums of the 00s... Bloc Party's 2005 album "Silent Alarm". Jim Salveson caught up with Bassist Gordon Moakes to chat about this classic album and (as well as some great stories and insight into the making of this LP) Gordon also talks about the writing process of Kele Okereke and c…

1
The Music 'The Music' with Adam Nutter 33:33

3y ago33:33

33:33

The Music is the self-titled debut album from The Music and on this show Jim Salveson finds out all about it with guitarist Adam Nutter. This podcast was recorded in the spring of 2021 12 months after the band accounted their reformation after a decade of acrimonious separation. Adam talks about his experience of writing and recording the album, ho…

1
Ocean Colour Scene 'Moseley Shoals' with Steve Cradock 12:38

3y ago12:38

12:38

Ocean Colour Scene's second album "Moseley Shoals" is this episodes Classic Indie album as Jim talks to Steve Cradock. This interview was recorded aroud the time of the albums 25th anniversary and takes some time to look back at the albums recorded, its reception and the involvement of the Modfather himself, Paul Weller. Listen to the album: https:…

1
Courteeners 'St Jude' with Stephen Street 17:15

3y ago17:15

17:15

The classic album that is the focus of this XS Longplayer podcast is Manchester's Courteeners' MASSIVE debut album 'St Jude'. Rather than talk to Liam Fray or one of the other Courteeners members for this album Jim caught up with the albums legendary producer Stephen Street (who has also worked with the likes of Blur, The Smiths, Kaiser Chiefs, Bab…

1
Happy Mondays 'Pills n Thrills and Bellyaches' with Gary Whelan 11:41

3y ago11:41

11:41

On this Episode of the XS Long Player we're twisting our melons with Gary Whealan of Happy Monday's as we talk 'Pills n Thrills and Bellyaches'. This may be the Monday's 3rd album but it is also (arguably) their most celebrated and the record on which they embraced the sound for which they are now known... it also became a key album as part of Manc…

1
Kaiser Chiefs 'Employment' with Simon Rix 20:49

3y ago20:49

20:49

A brilliant album is being discussed this week as Jim is joined by Kaiser Chiefs' Simon Rix to talk 'Employment'. Simon discussed the band's classic album, the trio of Brit awards it picked up and how it catapulted the Leeds band into 15 years at the top of their musical game... plus Graham Coxon's little-known cameo on the LP. Listen to the album:…

1
Badly Drawn Boy 'The Hour of Bewilderbeast' with Damon Gough 23:23

3y ago23:23

23:23

This episodes Classic Indie Album is the debut album from Badly Drawn Boy 'Hour of the Bewilderbeast'. Jim talks to the albums creator and all-around musical genius Damon Gough (aka. Badly Drawn Boy) about the albums inception, critical acclaim and how it fitted into the Manchester musical landscape of the time. Listen to the album: https://open.sp…

1
XS Long Player: Classic Indie Albums 2:40

3y ago2:40

2:40

Jim Salveson rediscovered some of Indie Rock's most iconic albums with the people who helped make them the classic's they are. From Punk to Brit Pop from Rock to Madchester you'll hear the stories behind some of the greatest LPs to ever grace your record collection and be inspired to go back and listen to them again, right through to the hole in th…

1
Dave Scott 46:48

4y ago46:48

46:48

Whilst in lockdown, Humans of XS Manchester will continue to celebrate the spirit of the city by telling the incredible stories of the amazing Mancunians who call it home. In the sixth and final episode of Humans of XS Manchester: At Home, Clint chats to Mancunian poet, musician and broadcaster, Dave Scott. Dave talks about growing up in Levenshulm…

1
Vernon Kay 44:58

4y ago44:58

44:58

Whilst in lockdown, Humans of XS Manchester will continue to celebrate the spirit of the city by telling the incredible stories of the amazing Mancunians who call it home. In the fifth episode of Humans of XS Manchester At Home, Clint Boon chats to broadcaster Vernon Kay. Vernon talks about growing up in Bolton, discovering a passion for music, his…

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