Surprise Cast

Surprise Cast #260 Waves Crashing

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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Surprise Cast #259 Tremours

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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Surprise Cast #258 Holly Coley

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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Surprise Cast #257 Shapes Like People

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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Surprise Cast #256 Snowcuffs

Dear Neil and Stephanie,It was a pleasure having you on Surprise Cast again. Thank you for walking me through the inspiring work of Raqib Shaw's and his "determination". Neil, I loved hearing about your travels, including Thailand and Seoul and finding "an increasing of awareness". Thank you for talking about imposter syndrome and when music moved from hobby to vocation. I appreciated hearing your thoughts about the lyric writing approach and the collaborative process on 'Sweet Gravity'. I loved hearing the stories behind the EPs' songs, including the "Burst" video, shot in Humboldt Park. Fascinating tales and an amazing body of work.  
I'm looking forward to the band's next steps in 2026 and beyond. You are settling into your Chicago stride with amazing chemistry!
Follow Snowcuffs: https://snowcuffs.bandcamp.com/
Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTubeAdditional music by: https://ettajames.shop.musictoday.com/
 

Surprise Cast #255 Jason Bemis Lawrence

Dear Jason, I'm so glad we connected for a thoughtful episode on Surprise Cast!I loved learning about your love for living in Louisville, Kentucky. You provided rich details on what makes the place special, somewhere I've always wanted to visit. In addition, hearing your honest words about fatherhood was thoughtful. I appreciate how much you embrace those responsibilities to your family. Finally, it was clear to me how much you enjoyed the experience of making the album 'The Grand Routine' and drumming for Dean and Britta. Fabulous experiences, indeed, that will linger in your mind forever. Follow Jason Bemis Lawrence: https://linktr.ee/jasonbemislawrence
Additional music included: Luna/Dean & Britta: https://lunamusic.com/
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Surprise Cast #254 Hannah Lew

Dear Hannah,From one fellow Bay Area person to another, it was a blast talking with you about your musical origins.
Thank you for sharing your experiences learning synthesis on a Moog, discovering your path as a bass player, and discussing how you craft your songs. I also appreciated your candid thoughts on fraught times, your Dada inspiration, and the importance of rejecting the aesthetics of capitalism and war. It was a fascinating perspective.
I especially enjoyed hearing you speak about identity and motherhood, and how being a parent has influenced your sense of time and priorities. Congratulations on releasing a wonderful debut album. It's gorgeous from start to finish, and I hope you continue delivering hooks and melodies as expansive and intricate as our mighty Pacific Ocean.Follow Hannah Lew: http://hannahlew.com/
https://hannahlew.bandcamp.com/album/hannah-lew-2
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Surprise Cast #253 Joe Lally

Dear Joe, Thank you for taking the time to guide us through your musical origin story. It was incredible to hear how your funkadelic instincts developed at a young age and continue to inform such a wide range of music. Your sharp reflections on influences like Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, and Jah Wobble, along with your thoughts on technique, offered a deep look into your musical philosophy, which I find to be extremely intelligent. 
Your Fugazi stories were a special treat. The discussion of writing material for 'Repeater,' the band’s ethos, navigating the challenging music industry, and being part of a group that consistently resisted conventional expectations provided such a valuable perspective. I've always admired the band's approach to following their convictions. 
The conversation also provided a fun look at the making of the awesome new album, Deface the Currency. Your account of how James Brandon Lewis joined the project and the spontaneity of the recording sessions really caught my attention. I can tell he's been such a vital component to your group's sound and success. 
Thank you for participating in Surprise Cast for another chat. You made the conversation feel warm, engaging, and electric. I always love to riff with you about life and music. Follow The Messthetics: https://www.themessthetics.com/#/
Follow Joe Lally: https://www.facebook.com/joe.lally.585
Podcast music includes: https://iggypop.com/
https://larrygraham.com/
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Surprise Cast #252 Stella Heath

Dear Stella Heath,
I was deeply inspired to learn about your remarkable journey as an artist and the story behind your Billie Holiday Project album. It was fun hearing about your childhood experiences in one of my favourite cities in the world, Petaluma. 
Your Billie Holiday Project is a powerful tribute because you honor both Billie vulnerability and her fierce spirit. You and your collaborators clearly created something meaningful. Congratulations on the album release and upcoming performances. I wish you great success with this exciting new chapter. Keep swinging, Stella!Follow Stella Heath: https://www.stellaheathmusic.com/
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Surprise Cast #251 Yea-Ming Chen/Tyla Jones

Dear Yea-Ming and Tyla!
Wow. Thank you both for such a thoughtful, honest, and fun conversation. It was a pleasure hearing about the creative journeys, challenges, and community building efforts that continue to shape your work and the Bay Area indie music scene. So important! Yea-Ming, I loved hearing about your reflections on the new album, 'Residue'. It gave me a sharper perspective on the emotional landscape that you were trying to capture. Beautiful work, by the way. 
Tyla, your unwavering passion for supporting artists through Total Accord Agency truly shines. It was inspiring to hear about your agency’s rapid growth, commitment to supporting artists on the indie fringe, and trying to give them a platform to express their love for the arts and music. Thank you both for sharing your candid experiences so openly. You're both the heartbeat of the Bay Area!Follow Yea-Ming and the Rumours: https://yea-ming.bandcamp.com/album/residue
Follow Total Accord Agency: https://www.totalaccordagency.com/
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