Surprise Cast

Surprise Cast #222 Zoe Allan

Dear Zoe,What a sensational time I had with you on my podcast feature, Surprise Cast!Thank you for allowing me to shine a spotlight on your work as an aspiring performer in the UK. I loved hearing about the wonderful relationship you have with your parents and the deep support you feel from the two of them. Hearing about your infinite love for theatre and acting was impressive. You handled all of the quotes with great aplomb. Your responses showed depth and great understanding of your craft. It was a blast listening to your experience on Reception: The Wedding Present Musical. From preparation to showtime, and your friendship with Matt Aston, it sounded like an incredibly enriching experience for you and all of the cast. Total team effort!May you continue to shine on and off the stage. Your career seems to be taking off in a manner that feels right for you. Thanks again for helping me pull back the curtains on your life. Bravo! Follow Zoe Allan: https://www.instagram.com/zoeallanxo/
Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, SpotifyFollow The Wedding Present: https://www.scopitones.co.uk/
Follow Matt Aston: https://www.instagram.com/mattastontheatre/Follow Heritage: https://linktr.ee/heritage.uk?
 

Surprise Cast #221 Sea of Days

Dear Shane,
In this intelligent and thoughtful episode, you discussed candidly important topics such as influential music, COVID, The National, Cocteau Twins, and the fabulous album, Wound. Your insights were nothing short of enlightening.
Thank you for guiding the listeners and me through the intricacies of the songwriting process, inspired guitar textures, and lyrical ideas. I loved how you delved into your recording approach, shared your views on live performance, and talked about your connections with other talented artists like Maud Anyways and Rachael Benjamin. All good stuff!
Our conversation about your dual life as a music teacher and a parent was particularly inspiring. Your strategies in the classroom and your approach to mentoring adolescents have clearly shaped your music in unique and profound ways.
This was an episode that was candid, spirited, and deeply connected. Thank you for being such a positive, warm guest on Surprise Cast. Your ability to shine brightness into the world's darkness brings tremendous comfort and joy.
Follow Sea of Days: https://linktr.ee/seaofdays
Follow Shore Dive Records: https://shorediverecords.bandcamp.com/
Additional podcast music by:The National: https://www.americanmary.com/
Matt Berninger: https://www.instagram.com/mattberninger/
Cocteau Twins: https://cocteautwins.com/
Robin Guthrie: https://robinguthrie.bandcamp.com/music
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Surprise Cast #220 Montjuïc

Dear Ian and James,I can't believe this was our 5th conversation in some capacity--thank you for being on Surprise Cast. It's always a pleasure speaking with you, whether it be for your work with The Orchids, One Dove, or Montjuïc. I loved how our conversation flipped between personal stories and artistic choices. We hit on a few important topics: growing up queer, carrying and reclaiming shame/identity, and maintaining hope during dark political times. Thank you for talking about the magnificent album 'Things Must Change' and its reception from the general public, and your personal insights. I loved hearing about the creative process behind some of the notable songs. You did a great job reflecting on aging, artistic growth, and confidence, and learning how to just be yourselves over the years. May love, acceptance, and resilience continue to be major themes of future work and personal lives--it's deeply inspiring and what the world always needs more of...rest assured. Follow Montjuïc: https://montju1c.bandcamp.com/music
Follow Pascal Blua: https://www.bluartwork.com/
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Surprise Cast #219 Blueshift Signal

Dear Ron and Jason,Thank you so much for diving into your feelings about your band, Blueshift Signal, the new album Eventide, and other fun topics.
I loved how we kicked off the show with some lighthearted icebreaker questions about comedy movies. It was fun hearing about your appreciation for Jim Carrey and Charlie Chaplin. You walked the listeners and me through the history and emotional core of the new album, and how the songs grew from rehearsals and moods, your approach to sequencing sonbx, and the narrative arc threaded throughout the entire album. You discussed the right balance between lyrical minimalism and finding an atmosphere on two standout songs. I appreciated hearing about the production, working with producer/Painted Air owner Michael Vitrano. He did a great job shaping the vinyl project and art direction.I believe the listeners can expect an emotional, thoughtful conversation about the importance of your work, songwriting, and strong collaboration. There's plenty of good material that will never leave the listener adrift. Follow Blueshift Signal: https://blueshift-signal.bandcamp.com/album/eventideFollow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, and Spotify

Surprise Cast #218 Trillion

Dear Steve, Tara, and Luke — this was an engaging conversation about your Sydney shoegaze/indie project and the fantastic new album Feel Alright. I loved that we started with light icebreakers and then moved into deeper topics. 
We discussed the creative influences that shaped your sound from My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless to Simon & Garfunkel, Jesus and Mary Chain, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie and The Cure. All amazing musicians! We peeled back the layers of Feel Alright — exploring impactful tracks from the album. Thank you for explaining how the songs evolved: demos shared weekly, live-testing arrangements, collaboration across geography, and the magic that happens when band chemistry clicks in rehearsal or the studio. Quite interesting. 
I believe listeners will appreciate hearing about the nuances of your live performances, how the band approaches sequencing of songs and concert setlists, personal recommendations that include tv shows, films,.and charities. You hit the jackpot in terms of your kind and thoughtful participation on the Surprise Cast show. Follow Trillion: https://linktr.ee/trillionsydneyFollow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, or SpotifyOther music included by My Blood Valentine: https://mybloodyvalentine.org/
 

Surprise Cast #217 Helen Millington

Hello Helen!I warmly welcome you as my special guest on Surprise Cast.Thank you for joining me from across the pond to discuss everything from Halloween icebreakers and favorite films (Kubrick, The Shining, and more) to how music, cinema, and books have helped you get through dark periods in your life.
The episode includes personal stories of childhood depression, early therapy, a later bipolar diagnosis, and how creative outlets—especially music and film—became lifesavers. You described your parents and influential teachers who fostered incredible curiosity and wonder.
Listeners will have a chance to explore your remarkable work as a photographer, including your early love of film cameras, transition to mirrorless and DSLR gear, go-to lenses for gigs, workflow for shooting and editing live shows, and the excitement of receiving your photos.
Many thanks for your honesty and deep reflection. You brought your life and work into sharper focus, which made the experience truly enjoyable. Follow Hellen Millington: https://www.instagram.com/helsmillphotography/Other music included:https://www.instagram.com/thestonerosesofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/realbabybird_/
https://chameleonsband.com/home
 

Surprise Cast #216 Peter Duggal / Wolfgang Flür

Dear Peter and Wolfgang,The time we spent together on Surprise Cast flew by quickly. Thank you for taking the time to be on the podcast feature. I loved chatting with you about a decade of friendship, collaboration, and the making of the new album, 'Times'. Hearing about how your partnership evolved was quite interesting. It's quite evident that you two hold each other in such high regard. I greatly appreciated how you two responded to Jeff Tweedy's quotes from his amazing book. Getting your take on being a songwriter versus being an artist, the creative process, and accepting challenges was fascinating. 
Thank you for walking the listeners and me through specific examples from the new album to highlight certain points. I loved hearing about how certain songs were assembled together based on sketches or synth/bass ideas. I'll never forget the Andy McCluskey story!
Congratulations on your amazing collaboration and chemistry. I love that you two embrace mistakes and see them as creative gifts. You confront doubts and obstacles with a head-on approach. You also bring such complementary strengths to the creative table, which result in melodic storytelling, arpeggiated soundscapes and textures, and the endless pursuit of musical curiosity. Truly amazing!Follow: https://www.instagram.com/wolfgang_fluer/
https://www.peterduggal.com/
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Surprise Cast #215 Ed Mazzucco (Shelflife Records)

Dear Ed,I learned so much about your life in just over an hour. Thank you for being a proud owner of Shelflife Records and being on Surprise Cast!I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, which moved from early childhood experiences, life in New York City, and running an amazing indie label. It was great to hear about your favorite games, formative films, and early musical obsessions (Depeche Mode, OMD, etc.), along with precious family memories deeply connected to your appreciation for your father's storytelling.You reflected on family influences, the loss of your parents, and how those experiences shaped your creative life. The conversation traced the origin of Shelflife Records in the mid‑1990s, its DIY beginnings (fanzines, hand‑assembled CDs), early breakthroughs with international acts, and the label’s evolution into a vinyl-focused imprint known for high‑quality packaging and artist care and attention to detail. So cool!I liked your dad's mantra, "if you're going to do it, do it right." Well, it's pretty clear you live by such words of wisdom. Keep running one of the more thoughtful labels in today's music scene. Follow Shelflife Records: https://shelfliferecords.bandcamp.com/
Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, SpotifyMusic included by Close Lobsters, Lavender Blush, Soft Science, Whimsical, Submotile (Shelflife)Non - label tracks by: https://duranduran.com/https://omd.uk.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@officialhenrymancini
 

Surprise Cast #214 Massage

Dear Alex, Andrew, and Gabi:Here's a little secret. I've been wanting to chat with you for a long time. I'm so thrilled the desire came to fruition. Look at how deep we went!I embraced our conversation from Halloween memories to deep questions about art, music, and the creative life. I felt that there was a nice balance that mixed light, nostalgic banter with thoughtful discussion inspired by Brian Eno quotes, along with responsibilities and love for parenting. Good stuff!
The band talked through the making of the dazzling new album Coaster, with behind-the-scenes detail on a few tracks. You peppered that part of the conversation with tremendous depth and detail. 
As I mentioned in the interview, a shout-out to DJ Jake Rudh for leading me to the Massage waters—a place that is warm and beautifully indie. You truly are a band of friends who know how to create that wonderful spark of imagination, which leads to dazzling results, just like a Tim Burton film.Follow Massage: https://www.instagram.com/massagetheband/
Music included in the podcast:Nirvana: https://www.nirvana.com/#/Harry Nilsson: https://harrynilsson.com/
Read aloud books by Brian Eno and Brene Brownhttps://www.brian-eno.net/
https://brenebrown.com/about/
 
 

Surprise Cast #213 Ultan Conlon

To my friend, Ultan!
I loved our intimate conversation about music, life, and the new album Only!
Thank you for sharing your entertaining stories--from playing with Jackson Brown and opening for John Fogerty, to a near-miss with a Paramount placement song on a Netflix movie — and how those moments shaped your career in some capacity. 
The conversation dug into craft: songwriting as the true "currency" of music, ideas for breaking the sameness (Rick Rubin's idea), and the completion phase of a record — knowing when to stop refining and let the work go--not always easy for an artist. You spoke practicality about running a small coffee trailer in rural Ireland as a social creative reset, balancing multiple live projects, and the realities of touring and record promotion. I love that you're in search of staying fresh with new ideas. 
Thank you for talking about some of your sweet tunes, the intimate mixing choices that made your voice more intimate, and your approach to being vulnerable on record. And like a good Paul Thomas Anderson film, your music always keeps my interest at a high level. Cheers, for always being so delightful and genuine!Follow Ultan Conlon: https://ultanconlon.com/Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, SpotifyAdditional music by John Douglas (Trashcan Sintras): https://johndouglas.bandcamp.com/album/john-douglas-2023