#199. Richard Archer on New Music, Hard-Fi's Journey and Whats Next

In Episode #199 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Hard-Fi frontman Richard Archer about their forthcoming Don't Go Making Plans EP.

Hard-Fi makes a highly anticipated return with their new Don't Go Making Plans EP, marking their first release of new material in a decade. The band will embark on an extensive UK headline tour this November to celebrate.

Hard-Fi has been a major force in British music with over a million UK album sales, two Number 1 albums (and three in the Top 10), plus five Top 20 singles. Their Mercury Prize-shortlisted debut, Stars of CCTV (2005), offered relatable tales of everyday life and weekend escapism, featuring hits like "Hard to Beat," "Living for the Weekend," and "Cash Machine." The album went double platinum in the UK.

Their second album, Once Upon a Time in the West, also reached Number 1, led by the single "Suburban Knights," while Killer Sounds secured a Top 10 spot. Hard-Fi famously played five consecutive, sold-out nights at the O2 Academy Brixton in 2006, a record they share with legends like Bob Dylan and The Clash.

In this episode, Richard Archer discusses the inspiration behind the EP, their upcoming live shows, and much more. 

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Previous XS Noize Podcast guests have included Gavin Friday, Fairground Attraction, Peter Hook, Humanist, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, John Lydon, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Anton Newcombe, Midge Ure, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, The Brand New Heavies, Villagers, and many more.