Surprise Cast

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/
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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/
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Surprise Cast #231 KEELEY

Hello KEELEY,I had a great time having y'all on Surprise Cast. What a fantastic way to launch season #3. It was a blast exploring personal growth, the current state of indie music, music press, and the ongoing case of Inga Maria Hauser. Thank you for sharing insights into the band's artistic journey, the significance of collaboration, and the inspirations that drive your endless creativity. I LOVED hearing everyone's insights into the latest album, Girl on the Edge of the World, exploring themes of musical evolution and tremendous depth of analyzed songs. I enjoyed listening more about the songwriting process, live performances, and the importance of connecting with audiences through music. Long live your quote, "It's us versus the world!"Follow Keeley: https://keeleysound.com/
Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify or YouTubeAdditional music courtesy of Suede: https://suede.co.uk/

Surprise Cast #230 Paine Proffitt

Dear Paine,Thanks a million for being a guest on Surprise Cast!
I enjoyed hearing how traveling has broadened your mind and shaped your personal experiences. You are certainly well-traveled. It was great to learn that art is a means of self-discovery and allows you to express yourself in a creative, fun way!
Your love for Philadelphia, your collaboration with The Ocean Blue, and your time at art school were fascinating to hear. Like Ocean Blue’s wonderful, dreamy music, your work highlights the best of humanity, even with a hint of darkness underneath.
May 2026 continue to bring you creativity, art, and deep connections! Your dedication to your craft and your willingness to share your story are admirable. A raise of the art brush to you!
Follow Paine: https://paineproffittart.bigcartel.com/
Sailing to Philadelphia by https://www.markknopfler.com/
Mood Swing by https://www.theoceanblue.com/
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Surprise Cast #229 Andrew Darby

Dear Andrew,Thank you so much for returning to my podcast program, Surprise Cast.It was a pleasure speaking with you about music, faith, and personal transformation. I particularly enjoyed listening to the backstories of songs such as "Oceans" and "Never Leaves Me". They were interesting in terms of their seeds of inspirations and connections to your spiritual journey. Thank you for being transparent about your past addictions and how you've managed to handle them now with success. Amazing!Keep creating music for others to enjoy and appreciate. May your art always be an outlet for you to express your creativity and love for the divine.Follow Andrew: 
https://linktr.ee/andrewdarby
Other music courtesy of Prayers for Change: https://playingforchange.org/
Al Green: https://www.al-green.com/
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Surprise Cast #228 Becca Hannah

Dear Becca,It was so much fun sitting down with you on Surprise Cast to unpack your new album, 'Tonight in my Dreams' and a whole lot more.Our conversation was wide-ranging. Hearing your perspectives on songwriting, live performances, the recording process, and what it means to be "intentional" was fascinating.I loved hearing about the album's songs, such as "Caramel", "Empathy", and "Future Trip", and the stories behind each one. The collaborative process with band members seemed engaging and memorable.Thank you so much for opening up about personal growth in 2025, moving from cautious to curious, and how those shifts influenced your music. Your candidness about ADHD, the gifts and challenges it brings, family life, and your endless creativity were extraordinary to hear.Thank you for giving it your all during our conversation. Your storytelling, vulnerability, humor, and craft are to be admired, as is your ability to relate and feel for others. The world needs more empathetic people like yourself. Follow Becca: https://linktr.ee/beccahannahAdditional Music by https://theblackkeys.com/
Additional Music by Blondie: https://blondie.net/
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Surprise Cast #227 Leon Joyce Jr.

Greetings, Leon!I'm grateful to have seen you perform in San Francisco in 2025. From the moment you picked up the sticks, I knew my eyes would be filled with wonder.
In our podcast conversation, you did a great job sharing your personal experiences, including your positive childhood, Marine Corps duties, and, of course, your extraordinary journey as a musician.
What really made me smile was hearing about your relationship with your father. I hope everyone who listens to this podcast can appreciate the quality of friendship you two built together, especially when talking about baseball.
Thank you for a conversation that didn't miss a beat. It was lively, smooth, and confident, just like your fabulous drum playing. Keep hitting those beautiful notes of life.
Follow Leon Joyce Jr: https://www.leonjoycejr.com/Please support other musicians featured in this podcast:https://fatsdominoofficial.com/pages/the-life-of-fats-dominohttps://www.ramseylewis.com/Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube

Surprise Cast #226 Worm School

Dear Worm School,I love your youth, spirit, and infectious energy!All of you shared interesting stories about how music plays a central role in your lives. It was great fun to jump behind the scenes of your incredible single, "Jacob's Ladder," a song as good as any in the dreampop/shoegaze world. I enjoyed learning about the band's creative process.May 2026 and beyond be filled with more great music and memorable live shows. I know this is only the beginning of great things to come your way. You'll play an important role in the musical landscape. 
Follow Worm School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7sOjGIpf4A
https://craftingroomrecordings.bandcamp.com/Follow Simon Scott: https://spsmastering.blogspot.com/
Follow Ben Easton: https://www.instagram.com/beneastonmusic/
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Surprise Cast #225 The Sundries

Dear Sundries,From a former teacher to current teachers, thank you for a lovely conference about life as musicians!I love listening to how music impacted each one of you whilst growing up. You focused on the role of art and its true impact, which was great to hear. I appreciated how you shared sharp insights on songwriting ideas, importance of simplicity and figurative language in your lyrics. You released one of the most sparkling albums of 2025, so thank you for taking a deeper dive into its sound, production, and thoughts behind it. May your 2026 shine brightly and look forward to hearing more of your infectious music. The band received an 'A' in my grade book!Follow The Sundries: https://thesundries.bandcamp.com/
Follow https://janglepophub.home.blog/
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