In Episode #228 of the XS Noize Music Podcast, host Mark Millar is joined by English singer-songwriter Will Varley to discuss his upcoming seventh album, Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me, out 30th May 2025.
Recorded in a ramshackle Kent swamp studio with longtime collaborator Tom Farrer, the album introduces a bold new sound, pairing lush, cinematic production with Varley’s trademark storytelling. Inspired by the East Kent Coast and US Midwest, the songs explore broken relationships, life on the road, and mental resilience against global uncertainty.
Featuring guest appearances from Billy Bragg, Eleni Drake, and Dan Smith of Bastille, the album captures the tension between everyday life and the looming sense of apocalypse — while still searching for light and hope.
In this conversation, Will talks about the making of the album, his evolving creative process, and why storytelling still matters in uncertain times.
Highlights include: Writing and recording in Kent and the US Midwest, Collaborating with Billy Bragg, Eleni Drake & Dan Smith, Touring life, mental health, reinvention, and A new sonic chapter for Varley. Listen to episode #228 of the XS Noize Podcast with Will Varley – BELOW:
Or listen via YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS – Find The XS Noize Podcast’s complete archive of episodes here.
Previous XS Noize Podcast guests include legends and trailblazers such as John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, 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, Michael Head — and many more.
GIG TICKETS, ALBUM PRE-ORDER & MAILING LIST: https://willvarley.com/
PRE SAVE: ‘MACHINES WILL NEVER LEARN TO MAKE MISTAKES LIKE ME’ (30 May)
UPCOMING HEADLINE TOUR
24 MAY CHELMSFORD HOT BOX OUTSTORE (8pm) – UK
31 MAY WHITSTABLE GATEFIELD SOUNDS INSTORE (1pm) – UK
31 MAY KINGSTON BANQUET RECORDS INSTORE (6pm) – UK
1 JUN STROUD PRINCE ALBERT INN OUTSTORE (1pm) – UK
16 JUL DUBLIN THE GRAND SOCIAL – IRE w/Beans on Toast
17 JUL CORK CRANE LANE THEATRE – IRE w/Beans on Toast
18 JUL CLOUGHJORDAN AMPHITHEATRE – IRE w/Beans on Toast
01 AUG DURHAM NORTHERN KIN FESTIVAL – UK
02 AUG STIRLING BACK DOUNE THE RABBIT HOLE – UK
03 AUG KENDAL KENDAL CALLING – UK
23 AUG LEICESTERSHIRE THE LONG ROAD – UK
29 SEP PORTSMOUTH THE WEDGEWOOD ROOMS – UK
30 SEP DERBY THE OLD BELL HOTEL – UK
1 OCT NORWICH ARTS CENTRE – UK
02 OCT BIRMINGHAM HARE & HOUNDS – UK
03 OCT RAMSGATE MUSIC HALL – UK
04 OCT LONDON EARTH – UK
09 OCT MIDDELBURG DE SPOT – NL
10 OCT ZWOLLE HEDON – NL
11 OCT AMSTERDAM MELKWEG – NL
12 OCT EINDHOVEN ‘T ROZENKNOPJE – NL
13 OCT FRANKFURT NACHTLEBEN – DE
15 OCT ZURICH DYNAMO – CH
16 OCT MUNICH KRANHALLE – DE
17 OCT VIENNA B72 – AT
21 OCT BERLIN QUASIMODO – DE
22 OCT HAMBURG NOCHTSPEICHER – DE
23 OCT COLOGNE HELIOS 37 – DE
6 NOV BOSTON, MA HAYMARKET LOUNGE – US
7 NOV NEW YORK, NY CAFE WHA – US
8 NOV PHILADELPHIA, PA MILKBOY – US
9 NOV VIENNA, VA JAMMIN JAVA – US
11 NOV PITTSBURGH, PA FUNHOUSE – US
12 NOV COLUMBUS, OH RUMBA – US
13 NOV LAKE ORION, MI 20 FRONT ST – US
14 NOV ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL HEY NONNY – US
16 NOV MADISON, WI KIKI’S – US
18 NOV INDIANAPOLIS, IN TURNTABLE – US
19 NOV NEWPORT, KY SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL (REVIVAL ROOM) – US
21 NOV DECATUR, GA EDDIE’S ATTIC – US
22 NOV GREENVILLE, SC SWANSON’S WAREHOUSE – US
23 NOV DURHAM, NC RUBIES ON FIVE POINTS – US
02 DEC EXETER CAVERN – UK
03 DEC MANCHESTER NIGHT & DAY – UK
04 DEC LEEDS BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB – UK
05 DEC BIRKENHEAD FUTURE YARD – UK
06 DEC CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH – UK
07 DEC OXFORD THE BULLINGDON – UK
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