Surprise Cast

Surprise Cast #237 Oscar Night Showdown!

Thank you, Susie, Michael, and Jason, for joining me for an energetic conversation about the 98th Academy Awards. I loved hearing about your personal first-movie memories, earliest Oscar impressions, and how movies shaped you. Our listeners can expect hilarious stories about that communal moviegoing experience and the sheer power of Tootsie, Star Wars, Benji, and Dead Poets Society. We unpacked and debated over seven major categories, including frontrunners, dark horses, and voting-pattern predictions. Thank you for your constructive criticism and sharp, highly entertaining analysis. It was a great podcasting performance! Fo;llow Susie: https://www.instagram.com/insusieskitchen/ [https://www.instagram.com/insusieskitchen/] Follow Michael: https://www.facebook.com/michael.hare.5 [https://www.facebook.com/michael.hare.5] Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonlostinaforest/ [https://www.instagram.com/jasonlostinaforest/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube

Surprise Cast #236 Rocketship

Dear Dusty, I welcomed you with open arms on my podcast feature, Surprise Cast. Thank you for all of your sharp insights!  It was a great time learning about the special reissue of the beloved album, 'A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness', along with all of the touring details. The wide ranging interview covered plenty of ground from hauling around a massive Hammond organ, working at Beat Records in Sacramento, and early childhood experiences that shaped your work as a musician. The listeners can expect a really warm conversation filled with memorable personal anecdotes and indie charm. You provided great fuel for a fun conversation! Follow Rocketships: https://rocketshipmusic.com/ [https://rocketshipmusic.com/] Follow Slumberland Records: https://slumberlandrecords.com/ [https://slumberlandrecords.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube

Surprise Cast #235 Silk Daisys

Hi James and Karla, Thank you for joining me at the Surprise Cast table. I loved discussing the self-titled album, creative process, personal stories, and collaborating with Mark Gardener of Ride. It was cool learning about how you two met in such a serendipitous way. The minute you mentioned musical influences from post-punk, shoegaze, and dreampop, I felt right at ease in going deeper into the conversation.  Continue down the trajectory of being "weird" and thinking "outside the box". It's something I can relate to quite a bit. Your music brings sweetness and light to our troubled world.  Follow Silk Daisys: https://silkdaisys.bandcamp.com/album/silk-daisys [https://silkdaisys.bandcamp.com/album/silk-daisys] Follow Mark Gardener: https://www.ox4sound.co.uk/theteam [https://www.ox4sound.co.uk/theteam] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube

Surprise Cast #234 Thistle Sifter (Peter Barnes)

Dear Pete, Sitting down with you on Surprise Cast was a pure delight. Thank you for coming back for round two.  I appreciate how we explored the new album in greater detail, including central themes--climate change, mass industries, and human cost in the Congo, media, and neoliberalism structures. You did a heck of a job translating these concerns into songs, whilst handling some pretty heavy quotes from Churchill, Chomsky, Monbiot, and more.  Congratulations on the new album--it seems more layered and varied, including the glorious string arrangements. Its mature sound really showcases your talent as a musician. Much continued success on the upcoming tour across Europe. Thank you for creating art that forces the listener to think more critically. Activism and craft sounded so good! Follow Thistle Sifter: https://linktr.ee/thistlesifter [https://linktr.ee/thistlesifter] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube

Surprise Cast #233 Charlie Nieland

Dear Charlie, It was so exciting to speak with you, Mr. Producer and Singer-Songwriter! You painted a vivid picture of the New York scene, including a great Thai restaurant and a community performance series at the Loser's Lounge. Sounds like a great place to enjoy talking and music.  Thank you for sharing your formative childhood experiences, family influences, and the impact David Bowie had on you. It was great to learn about the new record, 'Stories From The Borderlines,' and how you built these songs from programmed synth textures, knowing when to add or delete parts, and by inviting important collaborators to help deepen the arrangements. I love how you create songs that have "a place in time" and push the listener to consider the album's thematic concerns. Great stuff! Like New York City, thanks for bringing a great vibe to our conversation and your body of work. Follow Charlie Nieland: https://www.charlienieland.com/ [https://www.charlienieland.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Amazon, Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube Music included by David Bowie: https://www.davidbowie.com/