Line Noise

This week on Line Noise a genuine legend makes his return to the show: Wolfgang Flür, who was an integral member of Kraftwerk, during the group’s glory yeas and is now an inspired solo artist. In a wide-ranging conversation, we spoke about his new solo album, Times, which is released in March 2025; about working with former New Order bass player Peter Hook on the record; we spoke about humour and optimism (and why Kraftwerk could do with a bit more of the former); about pacifism, Yello, Emil Schult and much more. Line Noise comes to you with the support of Cupra. Photo by Dan Carty.

Today on Line Noise we speak to Tesfa Williams, the artist formerly known as T. Williams - and before that Dread D - a British producer who has passed through grime on his way to Funky, house and everything in between. Obviously, we talk about that name change and the very personal reasons behind it; we also dig into everything from his excellent debut album Raves of Future Past to innovation in dance music and Williams’ favourite house producers. His new single, the Beyond Today EP, drops on February 14 on Heist Recordings.  Line Noise comes with the support of Cupra.

Hyper-talented Bristol producer Bruce - aka Larry McCarthy - is one of the most honest, entertaining interviewees I have encountered in a long while. We spoke about his pivot to pop music, how it worked (and how it didn’t), why he is back to club music, James Blake, major labels, the state of four four doof, “bad dubstep”, the power of shuffle, his future plans and a lot more, in a very wide-ranging interview. Line Noise comes to you with the support of Cupra.

February 17 will mark the fifth anniversary of Andrew Weatherall’s tragic death. Three days before that, Material Music will release A Love from Outer Space, a compilation compiled and mixed by  Sean Johnston, who DJed and ran the A Love from Outer Space club night with Weatherall. It features 19 songs that capture the essence of the club night, many of them exclusive. I spoke to Sean about the new album, about London 88 Acid House madness, 122 BPM limits, all-time ALFOS anthems and DJing at ALFOS days after Weatherall’s passing. I hope you enjoy it. Line Noise comes to you with the support of Cupra.

Shabaka Hutchings, now known simply as Shabaka, is one of the most important jazz artists of his generation, a brilliant saxophone and clarinet player who turned his attention to the flute on his fantastic debut album, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace. I spoke to him ahead of his Barcelona gig, about two years of change, switching instruments, emotional strain and the power of an intro. Line Noise comes to you with the support of Cupra.

Today’s guest is someone I had interviewed two times previously but always wanted to get on Line Noise: Chicago house master Ron Trent. Trent has done so much in electronic music, from composing the classic Altered States at the tender age of 14 to producing the dazzling album What Do The Stars Say To You? as Warm in 2022, that sometimes even he doesn’t remember what songs he’s featured on. We spoke about the follow up to What Do The Stars Say To You?, learning percussion from his father, recording Altered States, Erykah Badu, the state of house music and so much more. Line Noise is with the support of Cupra.

Welcome to Line Noise. My guest this week is Catherine Backhouse aka DJ Bunnyhausen aka Xylitol, aka the winner of the first ever Line Noise album of the year for her absolutely divine Anemones. And a very worthy winner she is too. We talk about “Gutter Kosmische”, prog jungle, Gesamtkunstwerk, Yugoslav pop culture, the Belgrade Bananarama and everything in between. I hope you enjoy the interview. And do give Anemones a spin. Line Noise is with the support of Cupra.

For the tenth and final Line Noise episode celebrating Nitsa’s 30th anniversary, Radio Primavera Sound director  - and Nitsa veteran - Marta Salicrú shared her memories of (nearly) three decades dancing at Nitsa, with the spotlight on the early 2000s and electroclash.  Line Noise is supported by Cupra.

We got all up close and geeky about Aphex Twin in company with Disco Pogo’s Jim Butler, the editor of the new book: Aphex Twin - A Disco Pogo Tribute. We talked about our favourite Aphex myths, Richard James’ enduring appeal, Wolfgang Tillmans and the power of the Jockey Slut archive. Line Noise comes to you with the support of Cupra.

As part of our ongoing series of Line Noise episodes to celebrate Nitsa’s 30th anniversary, I spoke to M8NSE, Felipe and Colomba from Latineo, a FLINTA collective created by queer migrants from Latin America in Barcelona that aims to be a safe space for dancing for women and non-conforming individuals. In a wide-ranging conversation we talked about the rise of Latin Club (for want of a better name), what the club space means to Latineo, creating safe spaces, anthems, their Nitsa parties (of course) and so much more. Line Noise is supported by Cupra.