In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Danny McNamara from Embrace.
Danny joins Mark for an open, funny and deeply reflective conversation about Embrace’s 30-year journey, their landmark albums, and their new album Avalanche. You can watch the full video interview below, or stream the audio version further down the page.
Embrace first broke through with their debut album The Good Will Out, which featured huge songs including “All You Good Good People” and “Come Back To What You Know.” In this conversation, Danny reflects on that whirlwind early success, the pressure that came with it, and why the band’s huge comeback with Out Of Nothing felt so different because they were able to enjoy it the second time around.
The conversation also explores the band’s new album Avalanche — a record Danny describes as one of Embrace’s strongest. He talks about why new music still drives him 30 years in, why he feels more inspired now than ever, and the life lesson running through the record: life doesn’t wait for you to be ready.
Mark and Danny also discuss marriage, fatherhood, learning to live in the moment, and how those changes have reshaped his songwriting. Danny opens up about songs including “Road To Nowhere,” “Up In Your Feelings,” “Pure O,” “Get Out Of My Own Way” and “Coming Home.”
Elsewhere, Danny reflects on his creative relationship with his brother Richard McNamara, the stories Embrace fans share with him, his upcoming spoken-word/book shows, and why this chapter feels like a beginning rather than a look back.
At its heart, this episode is about time, family, creativity, brotherhood, survival, and a band 30 years into their story still chasing the good stuff — and still feeling creatively on fire.
Prefer audio? Stream the full episode below.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | YouTube
Embrace – Avalanche album tracklisting
1. Stop
2. Road To Nowhere
3. Get Out Of My Own Way
4. Coming Home
5. Emily
6. Up In Your Feelings
7. Pure O
8. Deny
9. Funny
10. The Power
Embrace – 2026 30th Anniversary UK headline tour dates
Sat 13 June – Piece Hall, Halifax, UK – SOLD OUT
Mon 09 Nov – Music Hall, Aberdeen, UK
Tue 10 Nov – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, UK
Thu 12 Nov – NX, Newcastle, UK
Fri 13 Nov – O2 Academy, Leeds, UK
Sat 14 Nov – O2 Academy, Manchester, uK
Sun 15 Nov- Rock City, Nottingham, UK
Tue 17 Nov – Dome, Brighton, UK
Thu 19 Nov – Beacon, Bristol, UK
Fri 20 Nov – Roundhouse, London, UK
Sat 21 Nov – O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK
Sun 22 Nov – Corn Exchange, Cambridge, UK
Tue 24 Nov – Dreamland, Margate, UK
Thu 26 Nov – Arena, Torquay, UK
Fri 27 Nov – O2 Guildhall, Southampton, UK
Sat 28 Nov – Tramshed, Cardiff, UK
About The XS Noize Podcast
With more than 280 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast is a trusted home for in-depth conversations with music’s legends, innovators and trailblazers.
Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured guests including Glen Hansard, Steve Lillywhite, Matt Berninger, Gary Numan, John Lydon, Peter Hook, Crowded House, Elbow, Travis, New Order, Simple Minds, Shaun Ryder and many more.
The XS Noize Podcast is ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes, has reached #1 in Apple Podcasts Music Interviews in Ireland, and has also charted inside the UK Top 5 reflecting its growing reputation for thoughtful, long-form music conversations.
Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive. New episodes drop weekly — subscribe for insightful conversations with the artists shaping modern music.
