In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by ALKY — the Dublin-born indie-rock artist and former Emmy-nominated audio engineer whose raw, heartfelt songwriting is making serious waves across Ireland’s indie scene.
From his breakout singles “Dirty Tricks,” “All Because of Love,” “Perfect,” and “How Do You?” to sold-out shows at Whelan’s and The Workman’s Club, ALKY has built a growing reputation for pairing widescreen anthems with brutally honest storytelling. Now, he’s stepping into a defining new chapter with the release of his debut album Rinse & Repeat, a powerful exploration of addiction, love, and the endless cycles we fight to escape.
In our conversation, ALKY talks about the messy truth behind his lyrics, his transition from studio engineer to full-time artist, and how facing his own patterns of self-destruction became the creative spark for the record. He opens up about sobriety, resilience, and why imperfection — both in music and in life — can be the most honest sound of all.
We also dive into the making of standout tracks “All Because of Love,” “How Do You?,” “Perfect,” and “Dirty Tricks,” his experience coming up through Dublin’s live circuit, and how Rinse & Repeat became a cathartic statement on falling, getting back up, and finding meaning in repetition.
“It’s not very macho to talk about love — but that’s exactly why I had to write about it.” – ALKY
Listen to ALKY discuss the making of his debut album Rinse & Repeat, addiction, love, and finding strength in repetition on the XS Noize Podcast.
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Rinse & Repeat is out now. Listen here.
“I realised I was a terrible partner, and they were terrible for me. The cycle had to break.” – Alky
About The XS Noize Podcast
With over 250 episodes to its name, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music’s legends and trailblazers — a space where real conversations meet real stories. Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has welcomed an extraordinary lineup including The Charlatans, Gary “Mani” Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, and Michael Head — among many more.
Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive here
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