Twenty-five years after their final album, XTC continue to inspire new generations of musicians. In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Madison Cunningham talks about finding inspiration in River of Orchids, 1000 Umbrellas and Easter Theatre.

The musician also talks about her love of a riff, lyrical ambiguity and following her musical instincts.

Madison Cunningham

Madison Cunningham, Jacob Collier and Chris Thile covering XTC's River of Orchids

This month’s song is by Stephen Dahill

What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from www.xtclimelight.com

If you’ve enjoyed What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who’ve done the same.

How much further up the charts would Senses Working Overtime have climbed if the sleeve had been made of heavier material? What does the finish on the cover of Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down tell us about its sales?

In this edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, we explore the fascinating relationship between XTC and cardboard in the company of Professor Penelope Letterhead…

Oh, and it is also 40 years since the Dukes of Stratosphear released 25 O’Clock.

You have been listening to:

Boy:48

The Ephemera

David Feltham

Fog99horn (Ed Stainsby)

Innocents Abroad

Pond Yacht (James Hollingworth)

Simon Russell

XTeeHee

What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from www.xtclimelight.com

If you’ve enjoyed What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who’ve done the same.

To commemorate the death of Rick Buckler on 17 February 2025, this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast features an interview the drummer did with a group of XTC fans and fellow musicians in March 2018.

Buckler recorded Sound Affects with the Jam at the same time as XTC were working on Black Sea and, indeed, he joined in with the clapping on Don’t Lose Your Temper.

Recorded for What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book, the conversation ranges from musicianship to studio techniques, from session drummers to formative influences, from home-made kits to ride cymbals.

Joining Buckler around the table in 2018 were Mark Fisher, Mark Thomas, Andy Rankin, Laurie Langan, Sarah Palmer, Rohan Onraet, and Louis Barfe.

Music by Keith McTaggart.

What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from www.xtclimelight.com

If you’ve enjoyed What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who’ve done the same.

Photograph: © Allison Burke