Surprise Cast

Surprise Cast #241 The Blue Herons

Hello, Gretchen and Andy!Thank you for returning to Surprise Cast. I really enjoyed how diverse and fun our conversation was—covering music, collaboration, and your sparkling new album, Demon Slayer. You both have such a natural chemistry that carries into your work in a way that feels effortless.
I especially loved hearing the stories about Marty Willson-Piper and the secret Copenhagen show with Dean & Britta—what great confidence boosters!
You also navigated the quotes from J. White, J. Mitchell, and R. Rubin so well. It gave me a deeper appreciation for your influences and the intentionality behind the new album. The way you broke down specific songs really highlighted how far you’ve pushed your creativity. Amazing!
I also appreciated the insight into the visuals and album art—the bold colours really stand out. Congratulations on signing with Shelflife Records. Thank you for always bringing such engaging energy to our conversations—just like your gorgeous, addictive music.Follow The Blue Herons: https://theblueherons1.bandcamp.com/
Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, and/or YouTubeAdditional music by: Belly: https://bellyofficial.com/homeFields of the Nephilim: https://www.fields-of-the-nephilim.com/#/
Mojave 3: https://mojave3.bandcamp.com/
 

Surprise Cast #240 Jeffrey James Horan

I’m so glad we had the chance to talk about your life as a musician. If it weren’t for my girlfriend suggesting we go to Biscuits and Blues that night, I don’t think we would have connected.
I really enjoyed hearing about your childhood growing up in the Bay Area and how you were surrounded by the sounds of the blues from such a young age. It was especially cool to learn about your early touring experiences and your collaborations with musicians like John Lee Hooker Jr. Listening to your stories about your music and creative process gave me a deeper appreciation for what you do. Impressive. 
Wishing you all the best as you continue chasing your dreams and sharing that soulful gift. It’s truly inspiring.Follow Jeffrey James Horan: https://www.jeffreyjameshoran.com/Additional music by: https://johnleehookerjr.com/
https://johnleehooker.com/
https://fatsdominoofficial.com/
 

Surprise Cast #239 Neal & Melissa McCullough

Dear Neal and Melissa,It brought a huge smile to have you both on Surprise Cast! Together, you unpacked what it truly means to work as designers and illustrators—the daily grind, highs, lows, and everything in between. It was great learning about the Willis Wonderland Foundation pop-up book and the backstory of discovering Hand Drawn Creative in 2009. I absolutely loved hearing how comics, post-punk music, and posters have shaped your visual language. We share quite a bit in common when it comes to appreciating great music. I know listeners will thoroughly enjoy hearing about your lives as illustrators. Thank you for bringing the Irish charm, kindness, and memorable stories!Follow Hand Drawn Creative: https://handdrawncreative.co.uk/Music courtesy byThe Teardrop Explodes: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCIM22kwWk_IeaEXty-6z1AQ
Chameleons: https://chameleonsband.com/
Echo and the Bunnymen: https://www.bunnymen.com/
Charlie Parker: https://charlieparkermusic.com/Miki Berenyi Trio: https://mikistuff.com/
Jonathan Richman: https://jonathanrichmantour.com/
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Surprise Cast #238 Sky Patterns

Greetings, Paul!It was a pleasure to have you on Surprise Cast for an in-depth conversation about your life as a musician!Thank you for retracing your formative influences such as Chameleons, Talk Talk, and others. It was cool to learn about how these bands helped inform your approach to rhythm, melody and recordings. I loved your stories about The Pixies and Charlatans--fascinating and fun!
Our podcast listeners will get a detailed walk-through of your songwriting process: starting songs from a single synth note, experimenting with rhythm and texture, prioritizing dynamics and space, and the lyrical choices that capture mood and ambiguity. You're quite good at capturing these aspects as you allow your songs to breathe. I appreciated hearing more about your production and thematic concerns behind the unique album, 'Night Call'. I particularly gravitated to the story behind "the in-betweens". Very observational, you are! I'm happy that your music and work continues to reach people's hearts and minds. Keep experimenting over traditional formula--it brings out the very best in your creative spirit.Follow Sky Patterns: https://skypatterns.runasp.net/
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Surprise Cast #237 Oscar Night Showdown!

Thank you, Susie, Michael, and Jason, for joining me for an energetic conversation about the 98th Academy Awards. I loved hearing about your personal first-movie memories, earliest Oscar impressions, and how movies shaped you. Our listeners can expect hilarious stories about that communal moviegoing experience and the sheer power of Tootsie, Star Wars, Benji, and Dead Poets Society. We unpacked and debated over seven major categories, including frontrunners, dark horses, and voting-pattern predictions. Thank you for your constructive criticism and sharp, highly entertaining analysis. It was a great podcasting performance!Fo;llow Susie: https://www.instagram.com/insusieskitchen/
Follow Michael: https://www.facebook.com/michael.hare.5
Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonlostinaforest/
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Surprise Cast #236 Rocketship

Dear Dusty,I welcomed you with open arms on my podcast feature, Surprise Cast. Thank you for all of your sharp insights! It was a great time learning about the special reissue of the beloved album, 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness', along with all of the touring details. The wide ranging interview covered plenty of ground from hauling around a massive Hammond organ, working at Beat Records in Sacramento, and early childhood experiences that shaped your work as a musician. The listeners can expect a really warm conversation filled with memorable personal anecdotes and indie charm. You provided great fuel for a fun conversation!
Follow Rocketships: https://rocketshipmusic.com/
Follow Slumberland Records: https://slumberlandrecords.com/
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Surprise Cast #235 Silk Daisys

Hi James and Karla,Thank you for joining me at the Surprise Cast table. I loved discussing the self-titled album, creative process, personal stories, and collaborating with Mark Gardener of Ride. It was cool learning about how you two met in such a serendipitous way. The minute you mentioned musical influences from post-punk, shoegaze, and dreampop, I felt right at ease in going deeper into the conversation. Continue down the trajectory of being "weird" and thinking "outside the box". It's something I can relate to quite a bit. Your music brings sweetness and light to our troubled world. Follow Silk Daisys: https://silkdaisys.bandcamp.com/album/silk-daisys
Follow Mark Gardener: https://www.ox4sound.co.uk/theteam
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Surprise Cast #234 Thistle Sifter (Peter Barnes)

Dear Pete,Sitting down with you on Surprise Cast was a pure delight. Thank you for coming back for round two. I appreciate how we explored the new album in greater detail, including central themes--climate change, mass industries, and human cost in the Congo, media, and neoliberalism structures. You did a heck of a job translating these concerns into songs, whilst handling some pretty heavy quotes from Churchill, Chomsky, Monbiot, and more. Congratulations on the new album--it seems more layered and varied, including the glorious string arrangements. Its mature sound really showcases your talent as a musician. Much continued success on the upcoming tour across Europe. Thank you for creating art that forces the listener to think more critically. Activism and craft sounded so good!Follow Thistle Sifter: https://linktr.ee/thistlesifter
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Surprise Cast #233 Charlie Nieland

Dear Charlie,It was so exciting to speak with you, Mr. Producer and Singer-Songwriter!You painted a vivid picture of the New York scene, including a great Thai restaurant and a community performance series at the Loser's Lounge. Sounds like a great place to enjoy talking and music. 
Thank you for sharing your formative childhood experiences, family influences, and the impact David Bowie had on you. It was great to learn about the new record, 'Stories From The Borderlines,' and how you built these songs from programmed synth textures, knowing when to add or delete parts, and by inviting important collaborators to help deepen the arrangements. I love how you create songs that have "a place in time" and push the listener to consider the album's thematic concerns. Great stuff!Like New York City, thanks for bringing a great vibe to our conversation and your body of work.Follow Charlie Nieland: https://www.charlienieland.com/
Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTubeMusic included by David Bowie: https://www.davidbowie.com/

Surprise Cast #232 Carriers (Curt Kiser)

Dear Curt,
A big high 5 for coming onto Surprise Cast! You brought wonderful energy and authenticity to the show.
I loved hearing about your appreciation for Lebanon, Cincinnati, and their vibrant communities. Since your childhood, it's been clear that music has been a lifelong passion for you. Thank you for sharing how faith has played a role in your songwriting and artistic expression. So many layers and so complex. 
I especially enjoyed your amazing reflections on the new album, 'Every Time I Feel Afraid'. It was fun taking a deeper dive into the inspirations behind some of the songs. Hearing about collaborations with other artists and the importance of genuine connections with them resonated with me. May the future hold more exciting projects for you, including new music, tours, and enriching collaborations.Follow Carriers: https://www.carrierstheband.com/
Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, Iheart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTubeMusic also included by Arcade Fire: https://www.arcadefire.com/