#216. Gary Kemp on ’This Destination’: Songwriting, Reflection & Reinvention

2025-03-04

In this episode of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar sits down with Gary Kemp—legendary songwriter, guitarist, and Spandau Ballet co-founder—to discuss his highly anticipated third solo album, This Destination. As one of the UK’s most successful songwriters, Gary wrote 23 hit singles for Spandau Ballet, including iconic classics "True" and "Gold"—helping the band sell over 25 million records and achieve 500 weeks on the charts

In this episode of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar sits down with Gary Kemp—legendary songwriter, guitarist, and Spandau Ballet co-founder—to discuss his highly anticipated third solo album, This Destination.

As one of the UK’s most successful songwriters, Gary wrote 23 hit singles for Spandau Ballet, including iconic classics "True" and "Gold"—helping the band sell over 25 million records and achieve 500 weeks on the charts. His acclaimed songwriting earned him an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection and the BMI Icon Award (2023), placing him alongside legends like Queen and Peter Gabriel.

Beyond his solo career, Gary co-hosts the Rockonteurs podcast with Guy Pratt and has spent six years touring globally as part of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, reviving early Pink Floyd classics.

In this exclusive interview, Gary delves into:
The creative process behind This Destination
The influences that shaped his songwriting journey
His experience with Band-Aid and the legendary charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?
His top five most significant songs

Don’t miss this must-listen conversation with one of Britain’s greatest songwriters. Listen now to The XS Noize Podcast – Episode #216.

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 have included Doves, Gavin Friday, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, The Twang, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, John Lydon, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Ocean Colour Scene, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, Sleaford Mods, Michael Head, Villagers, and many more.