Chalk: UKNY Session 2026

On "UKNY" on Sunday night at 11 p.m. — a session with the stormy, sensational Chalk.

Between their own headlining sets and supporting the likes of IDLES, Fontaines D.C. and Sprints, Belfast's Chalk has swiftly built an ardent following, bolstered by the group's explosive, visceral live performances, including last year's Glastonbury Festival. Their industrial, trauma techno thrashings have traveled over multiple EPs — their superb Conditions trilogy — and now lands Chalk at an auspicious debut album, Crystalpunk, released on March 13 via ALTER Music.

Former film students, Ross Cullen (vocalist and producer) and Ben Goddard (guitars and synths) have deftly soundtracked the foreboding anxiety — and chaotic navigation — of a post-pandemic world.. With Crystalpunk, produced with Chris Ryan (NewDad, Just Mustard), Cullen and Goddard take even bolder, dramatic chances too, as with the startling "Tongue," their tornadic new single, and the catchy, propulsive electropunk tumble of "I.D.C." 

The duo – joined by touring drummer Finn McAleavey — were on their first Stateside tour last November when they came by WFUV for a "UKNY" session. Since Crystalpunk hadn't even been announced yet (and I'd only heard the couple of singles released), we spoke about the album as much as we could — notably, their studio work with Ryan and Cullen and Goddard's evolution from film to music (Goddard still directs their videos).

Cullen and Goddard also chatted about their dramatic rise during the pandemic lockdown — with only one song to their name and no gigs yet — thanks to a fortuitous spin on BBC Radio 6 Music. We also touched on the Belfast electronic scene and a couple of the movies that mean the most to them, including Wim Wenders' angelic 1987 masterpiece, "Wings of Desire." 

Chalk, who are bound for SXSW 2026 before launching a big UK/EU tour, hurtled through three songs in this session: "Pain," "Can't Feel It" and "I.D.C."

[Recorded: 11/18/25. Engineered by Jim O'Hara with Thomas Lapus and Holden Buckley. Produced by Kara Manning. Videographers: Nikki Phillips, Mia Vilke, Gina Slavin, and Alena Godas.]