Surprise Cast

Surprise Cast #222 Zoe Allan

Dear Zoe, What a sensational time I had with you on my podcast feature, Surprise Cast! Thank you for allowing me to shine a spotlight on your work as an aspiring performer in the UK. I loved hearing about the wonderful relationship you have with your parents and the deep support you feel from the two of them.  Hearing about your infinite love for theatre and acting was impressive. You handled all of the quotes with great aplomb. Your responses showed depth and great understanding of your craft.  It was a blast listening to your experience on Reception: The Wedding Present Musical. From preparation to showtime, and your friendship with Matt Aston, it sounded like an incredibly enriching experience for you and all of the cast. Total team effort! May you continue to shine on and off the stage. Your career seems to be taking off in a manner that feels right for you. Thanks again for helping me pull back the curtains on your life. Bravo!  Follow Zoe Allan: https://www.instagram.com/zoeallanxo/ [https://www.instagram.com/zoeallanxo/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify Follow The Wedding Present: https://www.scopitones.co.uk/ [https://www.scopitones.co.uk/] Follow Matt Aston: https://www.instagram.com/mattastontheatre/ [https://www.instagram.com/mattastontheatre/] Follow Heritage: https://linktr.ee/heritage.uk? [https://linktr.ee/heritage.uk]

Surprise Cast #221 Sea of Days

Dear Shane, In this intelligent and thoughtful episode, you discussed candidly important topics such as influential music, COVID, The National, Cocteau Twins, and the fabulous album, Wound. Your insights were nothing short of enlightening. Thank you for guiding the listeners and me through the intricacies of the songwriting process, inspired guitar textures, and lyrical ideas. I loved how you delved into your recording approach, shared your views on live performance, and talked about your connections with other talented artists like Maud Anyways and Rachael Benjamin. All good stuff! Our conversation about your dual life as a music teacher and a parent was particularly inspiring. Your strategies in the classroom and your approach to mentoring adolescents have clearly shaped your music in unique and profound ways. This was an episode that was candid, spirited, and deeply connected. Thank you for being such a positive, warm guest on Surprise Cast. Your ability to shine brightness into the world's darkness brings tremendous comfort and joy. Follow Sea of Days: https://linktr.ee/seaofdays [https://linktr.ee/seaofdays] Follow Shore Dive Records: https://shorediverecords.bandcamp.com/ [https://shorediverecords.bandcamp.com/] Additional podcast music by: The National: https://www.americanmary.com/ [https://www.americanmary.com/] Matt Berninger: https://www.instagram.com/mattberninger/ [https://www.instagram.com/mattberninger/] Cocteau Twins: https://cocteautwins.com/ [https://cocteautwins.com/] Robin Guthrie: https://robinguthrie.bandcamp.com/music [https://robinguthrie.bandcamp.com/music] Follow Surprise Cast on Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify

Surprise Cast #220 Montjuïc

Dear Ian and James, I can't believe this was our 5th conversation in some capacity--thank you for being on Surprise Cast. It's always a pleasure speaking with you, whether it be for your work with The Orchids, One Dove, or Montjuïc.  I loved how our conversation flipped between personal stories and artistic choices. We hit on a few important topics: growing up queer, carrying and reclaiming shame/identity, and maintaining hope during dark political times.  Thank you for talking about the magnificent album 'Things Must Change' and its reception from the general public, and your personal insights. I loved hearing about the creative process behind some of the notable songs. You did a great job reflecting on aging, artistic growth, and confidence, and learning how to just be yourselves over the years.  May love, acceptance, and resilience continue to be major themes of future work and personal lives--it's deeply inspiring and what the world always needs more of...rest assured.  Follow Montjuïc: https://montju1c.bandcamp.com/music [https://montju1c.bandcamp.com/music] Follow Pascal Blua: https://www.bluartwork.com/ [https://www.bluartwork.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, or Spotify

Surprise Cast #219 Blueshift Signal

Dear Ron and Jason, Thank you so much for diving into your feelings about your band, Blueshift Signal, the new album Eventide, and other fun topics. I loved how we kicked off the show with some lighthearted icebreaker questions about comedy movies. It was fun hearing about your appreciation for Jim Carrey and Charlie Chaplin.  You walked the listeners and me through the history and emotional core of the new album, and how the songs grew from rehearsals and moods, your approach to sequencing sonbx, and the narrative arc threaded throughout the entire album. You discussed the right balance between lyrical minimalism and finding an atmosphere on two standout songs.  I appreciated hearing about the production, working with producer/Painted Air owner Michael Vitrano. He did a great job shaping the vinyl project and art direction. I believe the listeners can expect an emotional, thoughtful conversation about the importance of your work, songwriting, and strong collaboration. There's plenty of good material that will never leave the listener adrift.  Follow Blueshift Signal: https://blueshift-signal.bandcamp.com/album/eventide [https://blueshift-signal.bandcamp.com/album/eventide] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, and Spotify

Surprise Cast #218 Trillion

Dear Steve, Tara, and Luke — this was an engaging conversation about your Sydney shoegaze/indie project and the fantastic new album Feel Alright. I loved that we started with light icebreakers and then moved into deeper topics.  We discussed the creative influences that shaped your sound from My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless to Simon & Garfunkel, Jesus and Mary Chain, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie and The Cure. All amazing musicians!  We peeled back the layers of Feel Alright — exploring impactful tracks from the album. Thank you for explaining how the songs evolved: demos shared weekly, live-testing arrangements, collaboration across geography, and the magic that happens when band chemistry clicks in rehearsal or the studio. Quite interesting.  I believe listeners will appreciate hearing about the nuances of your live performances, how the band approaches sequencing of songs and concert setlists, personal recommendations that include tv shows, films,.and charities. You hit the jackpot in terms of your kind and thoughtful participation on the Surprise Cast show.  Follow Trillion: https://linktr.ee/trillionsydney [https://linktr.ee/trillionsydney] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, or Spotify Other music included by My Blood Valentine: https://mybloodyvalentine.org/ [https://mybloodyvalentine.org/]