Surprise Cast

What do you get when you cross paths with two extraordinary cats? I'm delighted to be joined by the talented musicians Keeley Moss(KEELEY) and Sice (The Boo Radleys). This engaging discussion takes us on a musical journey filled with personal stories, deep reflections, and profound insights. Both artists open up about navigating criticism, societal expectations, disappointment, and artistic passio...

What is it like to enter the James' wormhole?  In this exciting episode of Surprise Cast, we explore the rich musical journey of the iconic Manchester band James. Joined by passionate fans Liam Walker and Laura Dean, we delve into the band's expansive discography, from their early albums, 'Gold Mother' to their most recent album, 'Yummy'. This conversation is filled with personal anecdotes, heartf...

Who is the biggest pop star on the planet? Taylor Swift's widespread appeal stems from her exceptional storytelling and ability to step out of her comfort zone to remain vital in the public eye. Her songs often depict relatable experiences and emotions, such as love, heartbreak, friendship, and self-discovery, which are universally understood. In this episode, the intelligent Sydney, a longtime fa...

What does vulnerability and courage mean to you? In this powerful episode of Surprise Cast, we crawl into the incredible journey of Danielle Hennes, a multifaceted DJ, and nurse who has faced life's challenges like a Jesus and Mary Chain song. Head on! She shares her profound love for music and how it has been a guiding force in her life, particularly during her battle with alcoholism. As a DJ for...

When you think of industrial/electronic music, who comes to mind? Join us on this compelling episode of Surprise Cast as we welcome the legendary musician and producer Bill Leeb into the studio. Bill, renowned for his work with bands like Front Line Assembly, Skinny Puppy, and Delerium, shares an intimate look at his life and career. We climb deep into his recent European tour, the awe of performi...

What makes this band from Reading, England so unique? In this engaging episode of Surprise Cast, we delve into the fascinating world of Blueboy, a band synonymous with the vibrant Sarah Records era. Join us as we speak with key members Paul Stewart and Gemma Townley, who share their inspiring journey of reformation and their experiences in reviving the band's magic after years of hiatus. The conve...

How in the world does he juggle all of the business balls in the air? In this episode of Surprise Cast, I sit down with Nico Wardell, the musician and creative force behind Beatastic and the head of Shore Dive Records. Broadcasting from Brighton, England, Nico shares his journey from his childhood in Paris to becoming a prominent figure in the music industry. Nico shares his fascination with music...

Did you know that San Francisco is going through a massive indie/jangle pop resurgence? In this fun episode, we peek inside the world of the indie band, Ryli, featuring Rob, Yea-Ming, Luke, and Ian.  Yea-Ming shares about the band's origins, revealing how a suggestion from Bobby Martinez at Dandy Boy Records inspired them to embrace the Mazzy Star sound, which eventually led to the formation of Ry...

Can you say effervescent? I welcome Grace and Eva Tedeschi, the talented duo behind the indie pop band The Cords Hailing from Greenock, Scotland, Grace and Eva bring their splashy charm to our conversation as they discuss their wholehearted dedication to creating music. The episode leaps into their exciting journey of recording their forthcoming debut album, shedding light on their most recent gig...

How does one play the harp so beautifully? I sit with renowned harpist Mary Lattimore for an in-depth conversation about her musical journey and creative processes. From her humble beginnings influenced by her harpist mother to her present-day accomplishments, Mary shares insights into her life and career as a musician. Listeners are invited to explore Mary's recent experiences, including a succes...

Who is one of the best radio documentarians in the world? Welcome to an exclusive episode featuring Ken Sweeney, a renowned radio documentary maker, and writer who shares his high-voltage energy and journey in creating the award-winning radio documentary about the Scottish indie band Trashcan Sinatras. Ken explains his unique approach to documenting the band's fascinating history. This episode cov...

In this exhilarating episode of the Surprise Cast, the listeners are treated to a fun conversation with Sean Eden, the guitarist and composer renowned for his work with Luna. Known for his wizardry on the guitar strings, Sean brings his extensive experience crafting hypnotic soundscapes. He shares engaging and humorous stories from his vibrant past. Broadcasting from the beautiful island of Oahu,...

What words come to mind when you hear the name Antonio Zelada? In this episode of Surprise Cast, I engage in a warm-hearted conversation with the extraordinary musician Antonio, known for his work with Resplandor. The episode delves into his vast contributions to the shoegaze music scene, his role as a driving force behind the Automatic Noise Festival, and his experiences running the Automatic Rec...

In this compelling episode of Surprise Cast, we go deep into the artistic journey of Night Crickets, a band formed during the introspective period of the COVID-19 pandemic by Victor DeLorenzo (Violent Femmes), Darwin Meiners (multi-instrumentalist), and David J(Bauhaus/Love & Rockets). Known for their innovative fusion of dark alternative and uplifting experimental pop, they bring a dynamic bl...

Enjoy my conversation with renowned film critics Alonso Duralde and Christy Lemire in this engaging episode of Surprise Cast. The conversation takes listeners on a journey through the intricacies of film criticism and the strong chemistry between longtime colleagues. We dive into the essence of film criticism, exploring how they craft their reviews with intelligence and accessibility. She also sha...

In this friendly episode of the Surprise Cast, we swim inside the world of art and personal identity with exceptional artist Sinéad  Smyth. Hailing from the scenic peninsula of Inishowen in Donegal, Sinéad's art uniquely captures landscapes and seascapes as places of memory and deep connection. Her work vividly celebrates these natural environments, reflecting their nurturing influence on the huma...

In this special episode of Surprise Cast, we leap into a delightful conversation with Paul Court and Tracy Tracy from the iconic alternative indie pop band, The Primitives. Known for their shimmering melodies and distinct sound, The Primitives have left an indelible mark on the music scene for almost 40 years! Excitingly, listeners are transported into a lively discussion as Paul broadcasts from C...

Join us for an intimate conversation with the incredibly talented Lotte Kestner (Ormonde, Trespassers William), known for her ethereal voice and captivating songwriting. In this episode, we explore her musical journey and enter her world as a musician and mother living in Redmond, Washington. She shares her sharp insights on embracing vulnerability in her lyrics, motherhood, loss of some hearing,...

In this friendly episode of Surprise Cast, I welcome Daniil Levshin, the talented guitarist and synth player from the renowned shoegaze/dreampop band, Blankenberge. It's been two years since our last conversation, and a lot has changed since then. Join us as Daniil shares insights into his musical journey, the creative process, and life in Serbia, where he resides with his wife, Iana Guselnikova,...

In this engaging episode, we walk into the vibrant world of Vaughn George, a renowned name in the electronic and synth-pop music scene. Vaughn shares his profound appreciation for these music genres as a fan and educator on his popular YouTube channel. With a blend of insightful analysis and humorous commentary, he dissects albums and offers tutorials, making complex music concepts accessible to n...

Welcome to another entertaining episode of Surprise Cast! This one brings together the talented members of the Toronto-based band, SWiiMS, alongside DJ extraordinaire and music aficionado Simon Leclerc from DKFM Radio.  Simon shares his experiences in the music industry and his passion for curating playlists for his DKFM show, 'Melomania Safety Zone'. The discussion explores the nuances of song se...

Welcome to this friendly episode of Surprise Cast! I enjoy a heartfelt conversation with Stephen Douglas, the talented and kind drummer from the renowned indie band, Trashcan Sinatras. Listeners will be taken on a journey to Stephen's musical beginnings, as he recounts his formative experiences, from tapping along to records in his youth to playing in a cramped room with a drum kit. He describes t...

Welcome to another dazzling episode of Surprise Cast! Today, we dive deep into the musical world of Meadowlake, the talented band hailing from the Netherlands. Join us as we explore their latest album, "Where the Mountain Meets the Sea," a breathtaking journey through soundscapes inspired by the natural beauty of Topanga, California. It's truly a stunning body of work.  As we delve into their arti...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Surprise Cast. In this episode, we enter the mesmerizing world of Deary, a London-based band that has been captivating the hearts and minds of music lovers globally with their unique blend of dream pop, shoegaze, trip hop and indie melodies. Our special guest, Ben Easton, provides an insightful look into the band's journey, sound, and creative process. Curren...

In this charming episode of "Surprise Cast,"  we jump into Jason Booth's and John Wellby's artistic journey from the band Last Tourist. They share cool insights into their lives as musicians, their creative processes, and the stories behind their sensational music. We start with some fun icebreakers. The conversation takes a deeper turn as John shares how his love for music began with a serendipit...