In this episode, #252 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Aaron Starkie from The Slow Readers Club to celebrate A Decade of Cavalcade — marking ten years since the Manchester band’s breakthrough album Cavalcade changed everything.
Across its ten tracks, Cavalcade captured The Slow Readers Club’s unique blend of brooding intensity and euphoric release — from the pulsating urgency of ‘Forever In Your Debt’ and the anthemic hope of ‘Plant The Seed’, to the haunting emotion of ‘Days Like This Will Break Your Heart’ and the hypnotic title track itself.
In this conversation, Aaron takes us inside that pivotal era — from writing and recording Cavalcade, to creating the album’s striking geometric artwork himself, and how those songs continue to evolve a decade later. He also talks about the band’s creative growth, the importance of their DIY ethos, and the emotional power of seeing those tracks come alive again onstage.
“Cavalcade was the record that put us on the map — not overnight, but by word of mouth, gig by gig, person by person.” — Aaron Starkie
The episode arrives as The Slow Readers Club prepare to hit the road for their ‘A Decade of Cavalcade’ tour — revisiting the record in full while celebrating a new chapter of momentum following the Top 20 success of their latest album, Out Of A Dream.
Listen to the full conversation below:
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“We’re not done yet — we’re already writing the next record. There’s still plenty left to say.” — Aaron Starkie
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 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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