Surprise Cast #247 Andrew Sherriff (Chapterhouse)

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

Surprise Cast #253 Joe Lally

Dear Joe,  Thank you for taking the time to guide us through your musical origin story. It was incredible to hear how your funkadelic instincts developed at a young age and continue to inform such a wide range of music. Your sharp reflections on influences like Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, and Jah Wobble, along with your thoughts on technique, offered a deep look into your musical philosophy, which I find to be extremely intelligent.  Your Fugazi stories were a special treat. The discussion of writing material for 'Repeater,' the band’s ethos, navigating the challenging music industry, and being part of a group that consistently resisted conventional expectations provided such a valuable perspective. I've always admired the band's approach to following their convictions.  The conversation also provided a fun look at the making of the awesome new album, Deface the Currency. Your account of how James Brandon Lewis joined the project and the spontaneity of the recording sessions really caught my attention. I can tell he's been such a vital component to your group's sound and success.  Thank you for participating in Surprise Cast for another chat. You made the conversation feel warm, engaging, and electric. I always love to riff with you about life and music.  Follow The Messthetics: https://www.themessthetics.com/#/ [https://www.themessthetics.com/#/] Follow Joe Lally:  https://www.facebook.com/joe.lally.585 [https://www.facebook.com/joe.lally.585] Podcast music includes:  https://iggypop.com/ [https://iggypop.com/] https://larrygraham.com/ [https://larrygraham.com/] Follow Surprise Cast: Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, or X

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