Surprise Cast

What kind of energy do you get after a DM show? We leap into the vibrant and lasting impact of Depeche Mode through the lens of live concert experiences. This episode features engaging discussions with two special guests: Shannon Hemmett, a musician from Vancouver, Canada, who is part of the bands Leathers and Actors; and Jason Rogers, an environmental protection professional from Georgia, who shares a passionate side-hobby of wri...

How do talent and kindness come together so effortlessly?

We dive into a friendly conversation with the talented guitarist/songwriter/producer David Newton, best known for his role in the post-punk band, The Mighty Lemon Drops.

The discussion kicks off with a trip down memory lane as David reminisces about his first festival experience, the Rock Against Racism carnival in London, where he saw The Clash perform. How incredible! List...

How does Stephen sprinkle magic into his craft and tell such compelling stories? We dive into the vibrant past and present of the legendary band Chapterhouse with the talented composer and producer, Stephen Patman. This conversation unspools the band's origins, formed in Reading, England, where friendships were forged through shared musical tastes and different home lives.

Listen as Stephen recounts the first demos recorded in a q...

How do you celebrate and honor a 40 year journey? Join me for an in-depth conversation with David Gedge, the iconic lead singer and songwriter of The Wedding Present and Cinerama, as he reflects on his incredible experiences in the indie music scene. We delve into the band's formation in 1985, their upcoming anniversary tour spanning the UK, Ireland, and beyond. He also shares his involvement in a new musical, 'Reception', his an...

Are your ears geared up for this special interview? In this episode, we dive into the multifaceted journey of musician Jem Kelly. Renowned for his work with new wave bands The Wild Swans/The Lotus Eaters and other musical collaborations, Jem vividly explores his life, music, and cycling.

He shares captivating anecdotes about his early days playing guitar and the creative processes that have come to define his artistry. His unique ...

What's that saying about birds of a feather?

I chat with the eclectic and talented members of Jetstream Pony to dive into their latest musical explorations. Listeners are treated to an analysis of their sparkling new album, Bowerbirds and Blue Things, exploring its innovative departure from Jetstream Pony’s established sound while still staying true to their core style. Shaun, Beth, Kerry, and Tom candidly share the challenges and ...

How does a married couple make it sound so easy? In this spirited episode of Surprise Cast, we enter the world of Shapes Like People, a band intertwined by their music and a deep, personal connection between its members, Carl and Kat Mann.  Join us as we explore the unique dynamics of this remarkable duo, who effortlessly support each other in their creative journey. Our friendly guests share their personal encounters with these c...

How would you describe artistic innovation? Join us for an introspective and enlightening episode featuring Tim Hill, a multifaceted musician, visual artist, and director hailing from Canada. Known for his distinctive style that intertwines sound, visuals, and storytelling, Tim shares his journey from a dynamic childhood marked by frequent relocations to becoming a recognized figure in the realms of music and visual artistry.

He s...

Are you ready to zoom in on this special guest?  My talented and insightful interviewee, Kimberly Adamis Fongheiser, joins us for this episode. In this deeply engaging conversation, we leap into Kimberly's personal experiences and sharp perspectives, offering listeners a unique blend of passion, art, empathy, and resilience. 

The conversation shifts to Kimberly's multifaceted identity, including her upbringing in the culturally ri...

How would you define musical chemistry? In this engaging episode of the Surprise Cast, I welcome two pivotal members of the band Soundwire, Simon and Peter, to discuss their musical journey and the evolution of their unique sound. We talk about their early school experiences and the influential role that music played in their lives. The episode delves into the foundational years of Peter and Simon's friendship, strengthened by the...

In this captivating episode, we are joined by Tracey Beehive, the singer-songwriter of the renowned indie band Voice of the Beehive. She takes us on an inspiring journey through her life's milestones, both musical and personal.

Tracey opens up about her music career, including the recent re-release of Voice of the Beehive's acclaimed album Honey Lingers. She discusses the band's d...

"My mother says I never talked in my own voice" DVG and I reminisce about a legendary comedy event - Eddie Murphy's "Raw" tour at the Oakland Coliseum on November 6, 1987. We share personal anecdotes from attending the iconic tour as teenagers, recounting the excitement of seeing Murphy in his stand-up element. 

Listeners are treated to some movie recommendations and humorous reflections on the cultural impact of Murphy's performa...

Here's another great band from the Pacific Northwest! Welcome to this episode where we delve deep into the vibrant music world with the dynamic band, Waves Crashing. I sit down with band members Bryce, Zach, and Josh - from Seattle and Olympia, Washington - to talk about their musical journey and their latest album 'Effection.'

Listen in as the band members share their connections to influential albums that shaped their childhoods...

How do art and compassion collide? In this heartwarming episode of Surprise Cast, we dive into the world of photography and empathy with acclaimed photographer Paige K. Parsons. Broadcasting from her home in Palo Alto, California, Paige shares her unique journey from the tech hub of Silicon Valley to capturing the soulful essence of musicians and live performances through her sharp lens. She reflects on her stable upbringing and t...

How does one overcome adversity? In this motivating episode of Surprise Cast, I welcome special guest Mark Wheeler, a musician (A Deeper Heaven) whose life story is as intriguing as his dreamy music. Mark opens up about his turbulent yet inspiring journey, marked by his roles as a peacemaker in a family grappling with emotional challenges and his transformation into a self-reliant artist. Music's transformative power is at the he...

What does it mean to exude indie spirit? Join us in this engaging episode of the Surprise Cast  Edge, as I sit down with Mark Robinson, the frontman of the band Unrest and founder of Teen Beat Records In an intimate  conversation, Mark shares his journey, from starting a fanzine in grade school to establishing himself in the indie music scene. Listen as we discuss Unrest's iconic album, 'Perfect Teeth,' celebrating its 32nd annive...

How important is music and mental health? Join us on Surprise Cast for an engaging and somewhat nostalgic podcast episode as I connect with Wendy and Polly of The Popinjays, a band that played a significant role in the musical journey back in the '90s. In this captivating conversation, the duo shares their memories of making infectiously catchy albums like "Flying Down to Mono Valley" to tackling pressing social issues like mental...

What does it mean to be Irish? In this riveting episode of Surprise Cast, we embark on an enlightening journey into Ireland's rich culture and essence through a roundtable discussion with three remarkable guests: Sarah Weirs, a passionate musician from Loughrea, County Galway; Sinead Smyth, a talented visual artist from Carndonagh, County Donegal; and Ciara Lawless, an inspiring singer-songwriter from Roscommon in western Ireland. ...

What does it mean to be self-aware? We go into the inspiring world of music with special guest Etienne Quartey-Papafio from the band Whitelands. Etienne, a rhythm guitarist, singer, and songwriter, shares his unique perspective shaped by his upbringing in both Ghana and London. He unveils his musical journey and the cultural influences that have shaped his artistic expression. Discover how Etienne, along with his band Whitelands,...