Surprise Cast #250 Gavin Dunbar (Camera Obscura)

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/ [https://www.stellaheathmusic.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube

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 [https://yea-ming.bandcamp.com/album/residue] Follow Total Accord Agency: https://www.totalaccordagency.com/ [https://www.totalaccordagency.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram or X

Surprise Cast #250 Gavin Dunbar (Camera Obscura)

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/ [https://www.camera-obscura.net/] Additional Podcast music: https://www.neworder.com/ [https://www.neworder.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, YouTube

Surprise Cast #249 The Julies

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 [https://thejulies.bandcamp.com/music] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube Follow Surprise Cast: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or X

Surprise Cast #248 The Suncharms

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://thesuncharms.bandcamp.com/music] https://www.instagram.com/thesuncharms/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesuncharms/] Music included by: https://donnasummer.com/ [https://donnasummer.com/] Follow Surprise Cast on Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube