Surprise Cast #251 Yea-Ming Chen/Tyla Jones

Surprise Cast #258 Holly Coley

Dear Holly, I wanted to thank you for joining me on Surprise Cast. It was a pleasure to spend time hearing your unique story and learning more about the journey that has shaped both your art.  I appreciated hearing about your childhood growing up on a farm in Southern California, and how your love of reading, music, and the natural world continues to inspire your work. I had no idea that you'd be such a Stephen King fan! Thank you for being open about living with dyslexia and how it influenced the way you learned and developed "patience". It was cool to hear you reflect on your accomplishments from Street Project and Park Life Gallery, SFMOMA gift shop, and the pottery studio, Speckle Studio. What a grand testament to your tenacity, determination, and generosity to the art world. Keep sculpting the inspiring work! Follow Holly Coley: https://www.specklestudio.com/ [https://www.specklestudio.com/] Additional music by: https://linktr.ee/chimeschool [https://linktr.ee/chimeschool] https://chameleonsband.com/ [https://chameleonsband.com/] https://patrickfitzgerald.bandcamp.com/ [https://patrickfitzgerald.bandcamp.com/] Follow Surprise Cast Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X

Surprise Cast #257 Shapes Like People

Hi Carl and Kat, My favourite husband and wife duo celebrated the new album, 'Under the Rainbow' with me. What a blast! What an honor! We covered your musical roots and influences--from Kat's background in dance and how Sparklehorse impacted Carl's ears. Great band! I loved hearing about your songwriting and how you sequenced the new album with beautiful songs. As mentioned in the interview, I LOVE the flow, energy, and mood changes. It was fun listening to the creative process from recording to the promotion process. It's an album of human experience and fantastic balance...keep making the good stuff! Follow Shapes Like People: https://shapeslikepeople.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-rainbow [https://shapeslikepeople.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-rainbow] https://janglepophub.home.blog/category/jangleshop-label/ [https://janglepophub.home.blog/category/jangleshop-label/] Additional music by: https://marklinkous.com/ (sparklehorse) [https://marklinkous.com/] https://www.thechills.band/ [https://www.thechills.band/] Follow Surprise Cast: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X

Surprise Cast #256 Snowcuffs

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/ [https://snowcuffs.bandcamp.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube Additional music by: https://ettajames.shop.musictoday.com/ [https://ettajames.shop.musictoday.com/]

Surprise Cast #255 Jason Bemis Lawrence

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 [https://linktr.ee/jasonbemislawrence] Additional music included: Luna/Dean & Britta: https://lunamusic.com/ [https://lunamusic.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube

Surprise Cast #254 Hannah Lew

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/ [http://hannahlew.com/] https://hannahlew.bandcamp.com/album/hannah-lew-2 [https://hannahlew.bandcamp.com/album/hannah-lew-2] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube