Surprise Cast

Are your ears geared up for this special interview? In this episode, we dive into the multifaceted journey of musician Jem Kelly. Renowned for his work with new wave bands The Wild Swans/The Lotus Eaters and other musical collaborations, Jem vividly explores his life, music, and cycling. He shares captivating anecdotes about his early days playing guitar and the creative processes that have come t...

What's that saying about birds of a feather? I chat with the eclectic and talented members of Jetstream Pony to dive into their latest musical explorations. Listeners are treated to an analysis of their sparkling new album, Bowerbirds and Blue Things, exploring its innovative departure from Jetstream Pony’s established sound while still staying true to their core style. Shaun, Beth, Kerry, and Tom...

How does a married couple make it sound so easy? In this spirited episode of Surprise Cast, we enter the world of Shapes Like People, a band intertwined by their music and a deep, personal connection between its members, Carl and Kat Mann.  Join us as we explore the unique dynamics of this remarkable duo, who effortlessly support each other in their creative journey. Our friendly guests share thei...

How would you describe artistic innovation? Join us for an introspective and enlightening episode featuring Tim Hill, a multifaceted musician, visual artist, and director hailing from Canada. Known for his distinctive style that intertwines sound, visuals, and storytelling, Tim shares his journey from a dynamic childhood marked by frequent relocations to becoming a recognized figure in the realms...

Are you ready to zoom in on this special guest?  My talented and insightful interviewee, Kimberly Adamis Fongheiser, joins us for this episode. In this deeply engaging conversation, we leap into Kimberly's personal experiences and sharp perspectives, offering listeners a unique blend of passion, art, empathy, and resilience.  The conversation shifts to Kimberly's multifaceted identity, including h...

How would you define musical chemistry? In this engaging episode of the Surprise Cast, I welcome two pivotal members of the band Soundwire, Simon and Peter, to discuss their musical journey and the evolution of their unique sound. We talk about their early school experiences and the influential role that music played in their lives. The episode delves into the foundational years of Peter and Simon...

How has this Queen Bee nourished her musical soul? In this captivating episode, we are joined by Tracey Beehive, the singer-songwriter of the renowned indie band Voice of the Beehive. She takes us on an inspiring journey through her life's milestones, both musical and personal. Tracey opens up about her music career, including the recent re-release of Voice of the Beehive's acclaimed album Honey L...

"My mother says I never talked in my own voice" DVG and I reminisce about a legendary comedy event - Eddie Murphy's "Raw" tour at the Oakland Coliseum on November 6, 1987. We share personal anecdotes from attending the iconic tour as teenagers, recounting the excitement of seeing Murphy in his stand-up element.  Listeners are treated to some movie recommendations and humorous reflections on the cu...

Here's another great band from the Pacific Northwest! Welcome to this episode where we delve deep into the vibrant music world with the dynamic band, Waves Crashing. I sit down with band members Bryce, Zach, and Josh - from Seattle and Olympia, Washington - to talk about their musical journey and their latest album 'Effection.' Listen in as the band members share their connections to influential a...

How do art and compassion collide? In this heartwarming episode of Surprise Cast, we dive into the world of photography and empathy with acclaimed photographer Paige K. Parsons. Broadcasting from her home in Palo Alto, California, Paige shares her unique journey from the tech hub of Silicon Valley to capturing the soulful essence of musicians and live performances through her sharp lens. She refle...

How does one overcome adversity? In this motivating episode of Surprise Cast, I welcome special guest Mark Wheeler, a musician (A Deeper Heaven) whose life story is as intriguing as his dreamy music. Mark opens up about his turbulent yet inspiring journey, marked by his roles as a peacemaker in a family grappling with emotional challenges and his transformation into a self-reliant artist. Music's...

What does it mean to exude indie spirit? Join us in this engaging episode of the Surprise Cast  Edge, as I sit down with Mark Robinson, the frontman of the band Unrest and founder of Teen Beat Records In an intimate  conversation, Mark shares his journey, from starting a fanzine in grade school to establishing himself in the indie music scene. Listen as we discuss Unrest's iconic album, 'Perfect T...

How important is music and mental health? Join us on Surprise Cast for an engaging and somewhat nostalgic podcast episode as I connect with Wendy and Polly of The Popinjays, a band that played a significant role in the musical journey back in the '90s. In this captivating conversation, the duo shares their memories of making infectiously catchy albums like "Flying Down to Mono Valley" to tackling...

What does it mean to be Irish? In this riveting episode of Surprise Cast, we embark on an enlightening journey into Ireland's rich culture and essence through a roundtable discussion with three remarkable guests: Sarah Weirs, a passionate musician from Loughrea, County Galway; Sinead Smyth, a talented visual artist from Carndonagh, County Donegal; and Ciara Lawless, an inspiring singer-songwriter...

What does it mean to be self-aware? We go into the inspiring world of music with special guest Etienne Quartey-Papafio from the band Whitelands. Etienne, a rhythm guitarist, singer, and songwriter, shares his unique perspective shaped by his upbringing in both Ghana and London. He unveils his musical journey and the cultural influences that have shaped his artistic expression. Discover how Etienne...

Why is friendship important to a band's success? In this engaging conversation, the band Quietly Into the Night shares their journey through music, discussing individual roles, influences, and the collaborative spirit that defines their sound. They reflect on childhood memories that shaped their musical tastes, the importance of live performances, and their plans for creating new music. The discus...

Join us for an insightful episode as we leap into the dynamic world of Scottish musician C. Duncan, also known as Christopher Duncan. Celebrated for his unique blend of musical genres and artistic prowess, he shares an intimate look into his life and creative process. In this episode, we explore Christopher's journey from his upbringing in a musically talented family to his evolution as a distingu...

What makes a Cure concert special? In this debut episode of P.C.E. (Post Concert Energy), my special guests—Darren Revell and Danielle Hennes—and I explore the captivating energy of The Cure. Darren, the creator of Big Sonic Heaven Radio, and Dani, the DJ host of the Kaleidoscape show on Big Sonic Heaven Radio, share their deep connections to the band and recount unforgettable shows. Tune in to re...

What does courage mean to you? In this deeply moving episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with Jess Chalker, an artist whose journey of self-discovery and resilience has had a strong impact on fans around the world. Throughout the episode, she opens up about the personal battles she fought to find her voice as a writer and artist, grappling with the lows of depression and nostalgia while being...

How do Patrick's artistic skills help me understand more about myself? This episode features a heartfelt and meaningful conversation with Patrick Fitzgerald, the legendary frontman of Kitchens of Distinction/Stephen Hero. He discusses his journey through heartbreak, creativity, and healing.  As Patrick reflects on his artistic path, you'll learn about the music that molded his childhood. He also o...

What does it take to become a stalwart music photographer? Enjoy my chat with the legendary music photographer, Christie Goodwin. This episode takes you through a fascinating career journey, shedding light on her unique experiences and perspectives as she captures some of the most iconic musicians of our time. We begin with a warm introduction, diving into Christie's early experiences and discover...

What makes Louise Trehy such a unique musician? I engage in a yummy conversation with Louise, a renowned artist known for her impactful journey from the dreampop 4ad band Swallow to the indie group Strata Florida. Listeners are invited to explore Louise's unique approach to music, her inspirations, and the profound themes of time and nature within her latest album, "Sleep of Apples." The conversat...

Are you familiar with Matthew Lineham’s work? In this entertaining episode of Surprise Cast, I welcome the multi-talented artist and illustrator. Known for his vivid and eclectic style, Matthew brings a unique perspective to the world of art. His journey is not without its challenges. Growing up with Tourette's syndrome, he faced significant struggles during childhood. However, these challenges be...

I sit down with the legendary band 10,000 Maniacs. With founding member and bassist Steven Gustafson, songwriter and pianist Dennis Drew, lead vocalist and instrumentalist Mary Ramsey, and the newly joined lead guitarist Ben Medina, this episode dives deep into the personal journeys and collaborative spirit of the band. As the discussion unfolds, band members recount their musical roots, revealing...

Hi there. What makes Peter Gabriel such an extraordinary musician? I'm joined by special guests Andrew Prinz and Jaclyn Slimm from the band Mahogany. Together, we leap into the remarkable career of Peter Gabriel, an artist whose work transcends boundaries in music, technology, and activism. We discuss his innovative approach to music production, his pioneering use of technology, and his role in ch...