Surprise Cast

Hello Hans,Mr. producer, mixer, and mastering engineer. It felt like a warm, wide diversified conversation. I appreciated listening to your seeds of inspiration, production perspectives, and incredible friendship with Jose Gonzalez. Thank you for jumping into specific topics, particularly your love for producing. It was interesting to learn more about the role of distortion versus compression, hybrid workflow, and the incredible use of cool consoles. Listening to your amazing stories about your longtime friendship and the creative partnership with Jose was a treat. You really highlighted the collaborative process behind albums such as two sensational albums, 'Local Valley' and 'Against the Dying of the Light'. Modern production craft is your speciality...as your inspirational light will never flicker out. 
Follow Hans Olsson: https://www.instagram.com/hansolsson_/
Follow Jose Gonzalez: https://jose-gonzalez.com/
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Dear Mark,Fascinating conversation with you regarding your work as a record label owner. I learned some cool things about your challenging and successful profession.I had fun learning about the early inspirations by releasing tapes from your dorm and tracing your roots back to life in Ventura. I loved hearing about your musical formation by discovering punk and skate culture.  The belly of the conversation covered quite a bit of details regarding the early days of running Omnibus Records, demos, vinyl pressings, and now Mt. St. Mtn. I love how you roll up your ownership sleeves and are willing to put in so much effort to keep your baby running. Keep climbing the mountain of success!Follow Mt. St. Mtn. : https://www.mtstmtn.com/journalAdditional music by Massage, Cindy, and Seablite
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Dear Daniel,What an inspiring conversation I had with you regarding your work as a musician and writer. Thank you for your time, effort, and willingness to share so much with me. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your journey through music, including your stories behind particular songs, personal challenges, and the importance of authenticity. I discovered how much you embrace art, love, and resiliency. Oh yeah--let's not forget your undying love for Cocteau Twins and Deacon Blue :). I respect you a great deal, as you're a creative life force that understand vulnerability and courage. Follow Daniel Land: https://www.danielland.co.uk/homeAdditional music by: https://cocteautwins.com/
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Dear Antony,Thank you for taking me deep into your craft as a mastering engineer. I learned so much about your technical wizardry in an entertaining manner. 
Your life's work is both rich and accomplished. You've worked with some of the greats, including Simon Scott, Andy Bell, and Dot Allison. I especially enjoyed learning how your environment influences creativity and focus, and hearing your perspective on the challenges and lifelong learning that mastering engineering requires. Your thoughts on AI and its potential impact on your profession were also ear opening.
One of my favourite parts was learning about the process of finalizing a music album; something most listeners rarely think about. You have a remarkable gift for hearing the subtle details in music that others could miss, and it's clear how those small arrangements create a powerful final result. Thank you for nourishing our ears and helping us reset--it's in your nature!Follow RedRedPaw Mastering: https://www.redredpaw.com/
Follow Isan: https://www.isan.co.uk/
Follow Simon Scott: https://spsmastering.blogspot.com/
Follow Andy Bell: https://andybell.bandcamp.com/
Follow Dot Allison: https://dotallison.bandcamp.com/
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Dear Glenn and Morgan,What a San Francisco treat to have you both on Surprise Cast--it meant a lot to me. We covered cool topics, including artistic inspiration, the current vibe of the city, unforgettable concert memories ("less talking, more rocking"), musicianship, and your favourite albums that shaped the DIY pop aesthetic.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts on musicianship and the balance between what feels natural and what pushes you outside your comfort zone. You both responded to the Rick Rubin quotes with remarkable thoughtfulness and insight. 
I'm sure fans will enjoy the personal stories, deep dives, and thoughtful reflections on creativity, music community, and life as creative musicians. Thank you for the conversation, and please keep making those wonderful records.Follow The Reds, Pinks and Purples: https://www.firerecords.com/artists/reds-pinks-purples/
Follow The Umbrellas: https://linktr.ee/theumbrellas
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Dear The Lizard Point,Many thanks for being on the program. It was a pleasure hearing about your musical beginnings (AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Kiss) - all bands I listened to as well.  Thank you for being vulnerable by sharing your personal journeys from Ireland and upstate New York to San Francisco, and your decision to pursue music over more conventional paths. I appreciate the risk-taking and your friendship.  
It was a joy speaking with you both about your ambient album, 'In the Red Earth', and exploring the inspirations, challenges, and creative methods behind The Lizard Point's immersive instrumental music. The album moves gracefully, loaded with soft melodic hooks, creating a sound that is both meditative and wonderfully intoxicating. If I were still teaching elementary school children, I'd use the album for social emotional learning lessons. Bravo!Follow: https://www.thelizardpoint.com/
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Dear Waves Crashing, You're starting to reach Surprise Cast of Fame status with your annual visits!Thank you once again for being guests on the show. I had a blast chatting with you about the new album, 'In the Blur'. Thank you for going all in on your most recent West Coast tour experiences--so great seeing you play in San Francisco. I loved hearing about the recording process and what it took to evolve from your previous album. Hearing about your latest influences, including cartoons, comics, and Japanese Art was interesting. Song breakdown and analysis are always a treat. I know the Surprise Cast listeners can expect a heart to hear, an open discussion about your creative process and specific details about being in a band. This episode offers quite a bit of atmosphere!Follow Waves Crashing: https://wavescrashing.bandzoogle.com/
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Dear Tremours,
I'm beyond thrilled to share the latest episode of Surprise Cast. I'll never forget that concert defining night in Menlo Park, CA, when you opened for synth-pop pioneer Gary Numan.
Our conversation begins with your band's origins during lockdown and explores the emotional heartbeat of your debut album, 'Fragments'. You also shared insights into making the record, including the contributions to mixing and mastering by James Scott and Slowdive's Simon Scott, two stalwarts of the music industry.
I especially enjoyed hearing your candid stories from the road about overcoming sound issues, refining your setlist rituals, and embracing creative improvisation. One of my favorite moments was your discussion about the balance of responsibility and trust that comes with sharing a stage. It felt genuine, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest.
Thank you for creating such dreamlike, emotionally gripping music. The seismic shift you're creating is undeniable, and its sonic vibrations will linger for years to come.
Follow Tremours: https://www.tremoursmusic.com/
Additional music by:http://www.tundejegede.org/
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Dear Holly,
I wanted to thank you for joining me on Surprise Cast. It was a pleasure to spend time hearing your unique story and learning more about the journey that has shaped both your art. 
I appreciated hearing about your childhood growing up on a farm in Southern California, and how your love of reading, music, and the natural world continues to inspire your work. I had no idea that you'd be such a Stephen King fan! Thank you for being open about living with dyslexia and how it influenced the way you learned and developed "patience". It was cool to hear you reflect on your accomplishments from Street Project and Park Life Gallery, SFMOMA gift shop, and the pottery studio, Speckle Studio. What a grand testament to your tenacity, determination, and generosity to the art world. Keep sculpting the inspiring work!Follow Holly Coley:https://www.specklestudio.com/
Additional music by:https://linktr.ee/chimeschool
https://chameleonsband.com/
https://patrickfitzgerald.bandcamp.com/
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Hi Carl and Kat,My favourite husband and wife duo celebrated the new album, 'Under the Rainbow' with me. What a blast! What an honor!We covered your musical roots and influences--from Kat's background in dance and how Sparklehorse impacted Carl's ears. Great band!
I loved hearing about your songwriting and how you sequenced the new album with beautiful songs. As mentioned in the interview, I LOVE the flow, energy, and mood changes. It was fun listening to the creative process from recording to the promotion process. It's an album of human experience and fantastic balance...keep making the good stuff!Follow Shapes Like People: https://shapeslikepeople.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-rainbow
https://janglepophub.home.blog/category/jangleshop-label/
Additional music by:https://marklinkous.com/ (sparklehorse)
https://www.thechills.band/
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