2025

Strange Brew – Caroline's European Road Trip 2
Presented by Caroline Paidasch-Murphy

Broadcast every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Strange Brew is a show that celebrates music, history, and cultural connections through a mix of unexpected and electrifying tunes. Hosted by Caroline Paidasch Murphy, each episode takes listeners on a musical journey filled with insight, humor, and passion.

In this episode, Great Women of Song and Sass, Caroline curates a dynamic playlist dedicated to some of the most iconic and influential female vocalists in history. From smoky jazz standards to bold cabaret numbers and trailblazing rock anthems, this episode is a tribute to the power, elegance, and audacity of women in music.

The show opens with the legendary Liza Minnelli and her iconic performance from Cabaret, setting the stage for a musical thread that weaves through German influences and vintage Hollywood glamour. The godmother of German punk, Nina Hagen, follows with her eclectic energy, and then Marilyn Monroe brings the heat with Heat Wave.

Caroline then delves into the exotic, mesmerizing voice of Yma Sumac, a Peruvian-American singer known for her astounding four-and-a-half-octave range. Featuring songs from her album Mambo, Caroline shares fascinating trivia, including how Sumac’s music found its way into modern media, from Spy Games to Cirque du Soleil.

Moving into the realm of French elegance, Strange Brew highlights Françoise Hardy, whose musical and fashion influence in the 1960s remains unparalleled. Alongside her, the wisdom of the day is imparted through the show's signature Animal Spirit Card Reading, with this episode’s message brought by the fierce and fearless Panther Spirit, urging listeners to embrace their inner power and boldness.

The setlist continues with the ethereal and groundbreaking Kate Bush, featuring her masterpiece Running Up That Hill, famously revived by Stranger Things. Caroline provides a deep dive into Bush’s Hounds of Love album, its conceptual storytelling, and its lasting legacy in music history.

Jazz and big band lovers are treated to the smooth, timeless vocals of Anita O’Day, a former Stan Kenton Big Band singer, followed by the one and only Peggy Lee. Caroline shares an insightful anecdote about Lee’s clever technique of drawing in an audience by singing softly, a lesson in subtlety and charisma that still resonates today.

The show’s cabaret influences shine again with the unforgettable Marlene Dietrich and Liza Minnelli’s Mein Herr, leading into a comedic yet sultry moment with Madeline Kahn’s I’m Tired, a beloved number from Blazing Saddles. Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness marks a contemporary addition, showcasing how today’s artists channel the spirit of their predecessors.

As the show draws to a close, Caroline pays tribute to Barbra Streisand’s unwavering confidence with Don’t Rain on My Parade—a musical anthem of self-empowerment. In a final nod to the history of women in music, Strange Brew closes with Josephine Baker’s playful Don’t Touch My Tomatoes, before a powerful finale with Whitney Houston’s Love Will Save the Day.

Full of history, personality, and a bold soundtrack, this episode of Strange Brew is a celebration of female artistry, resilience, and style. Whether through sultry jazz, avant-garde punk, or powerhouse ballads, these women of song and sass continue to inspire and captivate audiences across generations.

Tune in every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, or stream live at www.rbm.org.au.

Strange Brew – Caroline's European Road Trip 1
Presented by Caroline Paidasch-Murphy

Broadcast every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Strange Brew is a show that celebrates music, history, and cultural connections through a mix of unexpected and electrifying tunes. Hosted by Caroline Paidasch Murphy, each episode takes listeners on a musical journey filled with insight, humor, and passion.

In this episode, Great Women of Song and Sass, Caroline curates a dynamic playlist dedicated to some of the most iconic and influential female vocalists in history. From smoky jazz standards to bold cabaret numbers and trailblazing rock anthems, this episode is a tribute to the power, elegance, and audacity of women in music.

The show opens with the legendary Liza Minnelli and her iconic performance from Cabaret, setting the stage for a musical thread that weaves through German influences and vintage Hollywood glamour. The godmother of German punk, Nina Hagen, follows with her eclectic energy, and then Marilyn Monroe brings the heat with Heat Wave.

Caroline then delves into the exotic, mesmerizing voice of Yma Sumac, a Peruvian-American singer known for her astounding four-and-a-half-octave range. Featuring songs from her album Mambo, Caroline shares fascinating trivia, including how Sumac’s music found its way into modern media, from Spy Games to Cirque du Soleil.

Moving into the realm of French elegance, Strange Brew highlights Françoise Hardy, whose musical and fashion influence in the 1960s remains unparalleled. Alongside her, the wisdom of the day is imparted through the show's signature Animal Spirit Card Reading, with this episode’s message brought by the fierce and fearless Panther Spirit, urging listeners to embrace their inner power and boldness.

The setlist continues with the ethereal and groundbreaking Kate Bush, featuring her masterpiece Running Up That Hill, famously revived by Stranger Things. Caroline provides a deep dive into Bush’s Hounds of Love album, its conceptual storytelling, and its lasting legacy in music history.

Jazz and big band lovers are treated to the smooth, timeless vocals of Anita O’Day, a former Stan Kenton Big Band singer, followed by the one and only Peggy Lee. Caroline shares an insightful anecdote about Lee’s clever technique of drawing in an audience by singing softly, a lesson in subtlety and charisma that still resonates today.

The show’s cabaret influences shine again with the unforgettable Marlene Dietrich and Liza Minnelli’s Mein Herr, leading into a comedic yet sultry moment with Madeline Kahn’s I’m Tired, a beloved number from Blazing Saddles. Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness marks a contemporary addition, showcasing how today’s artists channel the spirit of their predecessors.

As the show draws to a close, Caroline pays tribute to Barbra Streisand’s unwavering confidence with Don’t Rain on My Parade—a musical anthem of self-empowerment. In a final nod to the history of women in music, Strange Brew closes with Josephine Baker’s playful Don’t Touch My Tomatoes, before a powerful finale with Whitney Houston’s Love Will Save the Day.

Full of history, personality, and a bold soundtrack, this episode of Strange Brew is a celebration of female artistry, resilience, and style. Whether through sultry jazz, avant-garde punk, or powerhouse ballads, these women of song and sass continue to inspire and captivate audiences across generations.

Tune in every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, or stream live at www.rbm.org.au.

Strange Brew – Great Women of Song and Sass
Presented by Caroline Paidasch-Murphy

Broadcast every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Strange Brew is a show that celebrates music, history, and cultural connections through a mix of unexpected and electrifying tunes. Hosted by Caroline Paidasch Murphy, each episode takes listeners on a musical journey filled with insight, humor, and passion.

In this episode, Great Women of Song and Sass, Caroline curates a dynamic playlist dedicated to some of the most iconic and influential female vocalists in history. From smoky jazz standards to bold cabaret numbers and trailblazing rock anthems, this episode is a tribute to the power, elegance, and audacity of women in music.

The show opens with the legendary Liza Minnelli and her iconic performance from Cabaret, setting the stage for a musical thread that weaves through German influences and vintage Hollywood glamour. The godmother of German punk, Nina Hagen, follows with her eclectic energy, and then Marilyn Monroe brings the heat with Heat Wave.

Caroline then delves into the exotic, mesmerizing voice of Yma Sumac, a Peruvian-American singer known for her astounding four-and-a-half-octave range. Featuring songs from her album Mambo, Caroline shares fascinating trivia, including how Sumac’s music found its way into modern media, from Spy Games to Cirque du Soleil.

Moving into the realm of French elegance, Strange Brew highlights Françoise Hardy, whose musical and fashion influence in the 1960s remains unparalleled. Alongside her, the wisdom of the day is imparted through the show’s signature Animal Spirit Card Reading, with this episode’s message brought by the fierce and fearless Panther Spirit, urging listeners to embrace their inner power and boldness.

The setlist continues with the ethereal and groundbreaking Kate Bush, featuring her masterpiece Running Up That Hill, famously revived by Stranger Things. Caroline provides a deep dive into Bush’s Hounds of Love album, its conceptual storytelling, and its lasting legacy in music history.

Jazz and big band lovers are treated to the smooth, timeless vocals of Anita O’Day, a former Stan Kenton Big Band singer, followed by the one and only Peggy Lee. Caroline shares an insightful anecdote about Lee’s clever technique of drawing in an audience by singing softly, a lesson in subtlety and charisma that still resonates today.

The show’s cabaret influences shine again with the unforgettable Marlene Dietrich and Liza Minnelli’s Mein Herr, leading into a comedic yet sultry moment with Madeline Kahn’s I’m Tired, a beloved number from Blazing Saddles. Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness marks a contemporary addition, showcasing how today’s artists channel the spirit of their predecessors.

As the show draws to a close, Caroline pays tribute to Barbra Streisand’s unwavering confidence with Don’t Rain on My Parade—a musical anthem of self-empowerment. In a final nod to the history of women in music, Strange Brew closes with Josephine Baker’s playful Don’t Touch My Tomatoes, before a powerful finale with Whitney Houston’s Love Will Save the Day.

Full of history, personality, and a bold soundtrack, this episode of Strange Brew is a celebration of female artistry, resilience, and style. Whether through sultry jazz, avant-garde punk, or powerhouse ballads, these women of song and sass continue to inspire and captivate audiences across generations.

Tune in every Monday from 12–2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, or stream live at www.rbm.org.au.

Strange Brew – A Musical Journey Through Time
Presented by Caroline Paidasch-Murphy

Broadcast every Monday from 12 PM to 2 PM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM, Strange Brew is a deep dive into the stories, sounds, and influences that have shaped music across the decades. Hosted by the dynamic Caroline ‘CP’ Paidasch Murphy, the show is an eclectic exploration of genres, eras, and cultural movements that have left a lasting imprint on the musical landscape.

Each week, Strange Brew takes listeners on an immersive journey, blending classic hits, hidden gems, and fascinating backstories that illuminate the connections between artists, places, and pivotal moments in music history. Whether it’s a spotlight on iconic movements like the Laurel Canyon scene of the 1960s, the psychedelic underground, or the unsung heroes of Australian rock, CP brings her signature passion, curiosity, and storytelling to the airwaves.

In a recent episode, CP delved into the legendary Laurel Canyon sound—a movement that saw folk, rock, and counterculture merge in a creative explosion that defined an era. With imagery of Jim Morrison cycling through eucalyptus trees, Joni Mitchell’s guitar echoing through the hills, and impromptu jam sessions at Mama Cass’s house, the episode transported listeners to a time when artists like The Byrds, The Turtles, Buffalo Springfield, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young crafted a new sonic identity in the heart of Los Angeles.

But Strange Brew is not just about nostalgia—it’s about discovery. CP’s musical curiosity leads her to uncover new dimensions of even the most familiar genres. Whether it’s tracing the roots of Australian rock through the Masters Apprentices, Billy Thorpe, and Russell Morris or unearthing the connections between folk troubadours in Greenwich Village and their West Coast counterparts, every episode is a fresh perspective on music’s ever-evolving journey.

With a mix of well-known tracks, rare recordings, and deep dives into the cultural shifts that shaped each era, Strange Brew is the perfect listening experience for music lovers who crave insight, storytelling, and a touch of the unexpected. Tune in live or stream at www.rbm.org.au to join CP Murphy as she takes you down the rabbit hole of musical history, one track at a time.

Strange Brew – Exploring the Origins of Electronic Punk and Sci-Fi Music
🎙 Presented by Caroline Paidasch-Murphy

In this episode of Strange Brew, Caroline takes you on an extraordinary journey through the history of electronic punk and sci-fi music. Airing on Monday, January 13th, 2025, the show dives deep into the life and work of the trailblazing producer Joe Meek, a name you may not know but should. Discover how Meek’s innovative techniques and visionary approach shaped the sound of music history, including his production of John Leyton’s haunting hit “Johnny Remember Me.”

But the journey doesn’t stop there! Caroline seamlessly transitions into a mix of contemporary punk, a splash of Baba Rella, and some uplifting sunshine pop from another brilliant composer, connecting it all in her signature style.

Tune in for two hours of musical exploration, fascinating stories, and surprising connections that will have you hooked from the first note to the last.

🎶 Strange Brew: Where the past and future of music collide.

📅 New episodes every Monday, 12–2 PM on RBM 89.1FM.