Surprise Cast

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/
 

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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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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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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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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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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Dear Gavin,
Thank you for such an engaging conversation about your journey with Camera Obscura. I loved hearing the Scottish warmth in your stories.
Hearing you reflect on the making and lasting legacy of Let’s Get Out of This Country was fascinating. It was also illuminating to hear about the remastering and reissue process, along with revisiting Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi for vinyl and expanding it with songs like “Shine Like a New Pin” and “Let’s Go Bowling.” I honestly can’t believe it’s been 25 years already. My goodness. Thank you as well for sharing your honest thoughts about both the joys and challenges of touring, along with your deep admiration for Joy Division and New Order, both seminal bands.
Most importantly, I was deeply moved hearing you speak about Carey, her illness, passing, and the way her spirit continues to remain such an important part of the band’s identity. 
It was truly a privilege speaking with you, my friend. This episode was the sweetest thing.Follow Camera Obscura: https://www.camera-obscura.net/
Additional Podcast music: https://www.neworder.com/
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Dear Chris, Alex, and Patrick!I loved our candid and engaging conversation about the moving Cherisher album, your chemistry as a band, and the creative process behind this exciting "second act" for The Julies. From stories about crazy EMT calls to "bring the ball to the gig" run-ins, and teenage encounters with Stryper, our conversation captured great personal experiences and insightful musical moments. Your reflections on your lovely new album, 'Cherisher,' including collaborative analysis on specific songs, was a great listen. Overall, our chit chat was warm, playful, and wonderfully honest. Thank you again for timeless stories, a high level of creativity, and for adding colour to our dark and chaotic world. Keep "birthing" great music!Follow The Julies: https://thejulies.bandcamp.com/music
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Dear Marcus and Chris!
Thank you for such a warm, fun, and entertaining conversation about Sheffield, friendship, songwriting, and the making of the wonderful album, 'Darkening Sky'. It felt like we spent a good hour+ in a pub drinking a good pint. 
I especially enjoyed the Sheffield stories, from encounters with Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley "seen him plenty of times" to memories of the city’s hills, culture, and everyday beauty that inspire so much of your writing. I gotta visit the "biggest village in the world". 
Your friendship truly shone throughout the conversation.  I loved gaining more insight into Darkening Sky, especially the smart sequencing of songs, insights into certain songs, and what inspired the artwork. Bay Area hand claps all around!Follow The Suncharms: https://thesuncharms.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.instagram.com/thesuncharms/
Music included by:https://donnasummer.com/
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Dear Andy,
Thank you again for such an open, thoughtful, and inspiring conversation on Surprise Cast. It was an absolute blast hearing you reflect on Chapterhouse’s journey, from the whirlwind of the Whirlpool 35 UK tour to rediscovering the joy of simply playing music together again after such a long hiatus. Amazing!
I loved how grounded your perspectives remained throughout the conversation, whether discussing sold-out shows, reconnecting with longtime fans, or sharing appreciation about Rachel Goswell or shoegaze band, Sister Ray Davies. Hearing the stories about working with Robin Guthrie, experimenting with tape tricks and production techniques, and handling the pressures surrounding the albums Whirlpool and Blood Music offered such a fascinating glimpse into the band’s evolution. Plus, I LOVED gaining more insight into some of your most precious songs. 
There’s a real energy and buzz around Chapterhouse right now, and it was exciting to hear firsthand how much you’re enjoying the experience again. Please don't get off the "roller coaster ride". I'm lovin all of the twists and turns. All the best to you and the band's continued success on the road and with the next chapter ahead.Follow Chapterhouse: https://chapterhouseofficial.com/Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, YouTubeFollow Surprise Cast: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram or X