In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot.
Nerina joins Mark for a warm, honest and reflective conversation about her new career-spanning collection, Fire Escape Symphonies: The Best of Nerina Pallot, which celebrates 25 years of songs, stories and connection with her audience. You can watch the full video version on the XS Noize YouTube channel below.
Nerina talks about looking back over her catalogue, why the best-of collection felt less like an endpoint and more like a celebration of the relationship she has built with her fans, and how the title Fire Escape Symphonies came directly from the people who have lived with these songs over the years.
The conversation looks back at her early career, from the first album and the long road to Fires, to the success of “Everybody’s Gone To War” and the surreal experience of taking an anti-war song onto Top of the Pops. Nerina also reflects on initially hearing failure in her early single “Patience,” before later recognising it as a strong pop song that had simply become tied to a difficult emotional period.
Mark and Nerina also discuss not fitting neatly into pop or indie, the importance of following instinct, working with major labels, writing for Kylie Minogue, and why co-writing has often felt uncomfortable unless the connection is completely natural.
Elsewhere, Nerina talks about building CHMBR, her new artist-fan app created as a response to the frustration of algorithms and social media, and why she wanted to create a more direct, human space between creators and the people who care about their work.
The episode also explores the deep bond between Nerina and her audience, including the unforgettable night she lost her voice and fans stepped in to help carry the show. She reflects on her forthcoming Royal Albert Hall performance, the emotional weight of reaching that stage after such a winding road, and why her fans remain at the centre of the story.
At its heart, this episode is about songs that survive, the people who carry them, and what it means to keep creating with honesty, hope and purpose after 25 years in music.
Prefer audio? Stream the full episode below.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | YouTube
The countdown to Nerina’s headline show at the Royal Albert Hall is underway, with limited tickets remaining HERE — almost all located in the Rausing Circle.
‘Fire Escape Symphonies: The Best Of’ tracklist:
‘Only The Old Songs’
‘Patience’
‘Idaho’
‘When Did I Become Such A Bitch’
‘Everybody’s Gone To War’
‘Regrets’
‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’
‘Real Late Starter’
‘Put Your Hands Up’
‘All Bets Are Off’
‘Circus’
‘Blessed’
‘Rousseau’
‘Sophia’
‘This Heart Is A Lonely Hunter’
‘Man Didn’t Walk On The Moon’
‘There’s A River’
‘Madison’
‘My Last Tango’
‘Come Bring The Sun’
About The XS Noize Podcast
With more than 280 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast is a trusted home for in-depth conversations with music’s legends, innovators and trailblazers.
Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured guests including Glen Hansard, Steve Lillywhite, Matt Berninger, Gary Numan, John Lydon, Peter Hook, Crowded House, Elbow, Travis, New Order, Simple Minds, Shaun Ryder and many more.
The XS Noize Podcast is ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes, has reached #1 in Apple Podcasts Music Interviews in Ireland, and has also charted inside the UK Top 5 reflecting its growing reputation for thoughtful, long-form music conversations.
Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive. New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for insightful conversations with the artists shaping modern music.
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