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Artwork for The Strange Brew

The Strange Brew - artist stories behind the greatest music ever recorded

Jason Barnard
The Beatles
David Bowie
Rock Music
Songwriting
Music Industry
John Lennon
Folk Music
Paul Mccartney
1960s Music Scene
Manfred Mann
Fairport Convention
Covid-19
Bob Dylan
Renaissance
Music Collaboration
The Jam
Rock and Roll
Genesis
John Paul White
Fleetwood Mac

Rock music from the mid 60s onwards - podcasts, features and much more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes301Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic InterviewsMusic History

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Artwork for The Strange Brew

Latest Episodes

Otis Williams discusses over six decades of The Temptations and their upcoming UK tour. Williams talks about moving from Texas to Detroit as a kid, catching Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers at the Fox Theater, and getting spotted by Berry Gordy at a r... more

Anthony Phillips, founding Genesis guitarist, joins Jason Barnard to talk about the formation of Genesis, his departure, and his latest album, Gemini – Pieces For Piano. He traces the Genesis story back to Charterhouse and the summer of 1967, when he... more

YouTube

John Leckie is one of British rock’s greatest producers, who started out as a tape operator at Abbey Road in 1970, thrown immediately into sessions for George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band. This interview, conduct... more

YouTube

John Helliwell of Supertramp returns to talk about Crime of the Century, the newly restored 1975 concert film shot at Hammersmith Odeon, and the years in which the band went from complete obscurity to one of the biggest acts in the world. He discusse... more

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Recent Guests

Anthony Phillips
Founding Genesis member; solo artist, TV composer
Genesis, Solo career
Episode: Anthony Phillips, Genesis, A Life In Music
John Leckie
Producer and audio engineer discussing his early career and Be Bop Deluxe years
EMI/Abbey Road era (Be Bop Deluxe collaborator)
Episode: John Leckie on Be Bop Deluxe and the Making of Sunburst Finish
John Helliwell
Member of Supertramp, discussing the Crime of the Century era and Supertramp history
Supertramp
Episode: John Helliwell – Supertramp
Boz Boorer
Morrissey's guitarist and Polecats member
Solo artist / Morrissey collaborators
Episode: Boz Boorer – The Polecats to Morrissey
Mark Webber
Member of Pulp, long-time collaborator and interviewee
Pulp
Episode: Mark Webber – Pulp
Michael Weston King
Musician, solo artist and member of The Good Sons and My Darling Clementine
Episode: Michael Weston King
Dan Penn
Renowned songwriter and musician
Songwriter/Recording Artist
Episode: Dan Penn
Gary Talley
Lead guitarist of The Box Tops
The Box Tops
Episode: Gary Talley – The Box Tops
Peter Wadsworth
Music historian and co-author on Strawberry Studios Forever
Strawberry Studios Forever book authors
Episode: Strawberry Studios Forever

Host

Jason Barnard
Host of The Strange Brew Podcast, known for long-form, in-depth music interviews and archival storytelling.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 183 ratings
  • Please more studio quality

    Unfortunately many interviews were done by VC or even telephone with rather questionable quality, sometimes hard to understand. But those that were not, are great!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Matiasmoulin
    Switzerland4 months ago
  • Another top Interview

    Congratulations Jason on your interview with Jeff Skunk Baxter. In all these interviews your knowledge of the subject and the person being interviewed shines through. One can tell that your knowledge and care for the subject impresses your interviewee. This makes the interviews immensely enjoyable. The Skunk Baxter interview is a case in point. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joolsjm
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Beautiful and in-depth

    Came here in search of Peggy Seeger and found an inspirational conversation , loved the one with Neil Storey too, great interviewer really knows his stuff when it comes to music and the art of conversation - lots of sonic gems, Stories,and words of wisdom

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nina Miranda singer
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Top stuff for retro music buffs

    If you are into anything from beat bands to post punk outfits this is your podcast. Full tracks, in depth interviews, knowledgeable host - like listening to Mojo magazine!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mark Eggins
    Australia3 years ago
  • The peak of deep dive interview podcasts

    The combination of long form dialogue sessions with influential musicians and expertly curated (and often seldom heard/rare) accompanying tracks is unbeatable. Jason’s sensitive approach undergirded by passionate research drives insightful questions and results in revelatory interviews with many artists who rarely grant interviews. I particularly enjoyed the chats with Jim Lea, Gilbert O’Sullivan and Gerry McAvoy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nick moroney
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience notes strong storytelling and rare track selections enhance learning for music historians and fans alike.
Guests frequently highlight the show as a high-quality, insightful music interview.
Listeners praise the host's research depth and thoughtful questioning.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

John Leckie on Be Bop Deluxe and the Making of Sunburst Finish
Q: Did you intentionally bring in experimental techniques or sounds for Sunburst Finish, or did they evolve organically in the studio?
The production evolved organically through hands-on experimentation—tape-based effects, live studio work, and a willingness to push for distinctive textures like the pedal-driven guitar and orchestral elements.
John Leckie on Be Bop Deluxe and the Making of Sunburst Finish
Q: What was the path that led you to Be Bop Deluxe's Sunburst Finish as your first formal production project?
Bill Nelson sought to produce himself but EMI suggested pairing him with me; from that collaboration, Sunburst Finish emerged as our first formal production effort.
John Helliwell – Supertramp
Q: How did the tensions between Rick and Roger influence the band's direction moving into the late 70s and early 80s?
Tensions grew as the two writers pursued different paths, ultimately leading Roger to leave the band to focus on his own music and family commitments.
John Helliwell – Supertramp
Q: Why did the group decide to film the Crime Of The Century era shows, and who was involved in making that happen?
The aim was to capture the energy after months of touring; Derek Burbridge filmed it with Ken Scott handling sound, with Dave Margerison managing the project.
John Helliwell – Supertramp
Q: Was there improvisation still happening in 1975, or were you more fixed to the studio versions when performing live?
Solos remained largely improvisational in the moment, with occasional structured elements, and the band would vote on backing tracks to decide the best approach for live performance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Strange Brew

What is The Strange Brew about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features long-form conversations with legendary and influential musicians, historians, and industry insiders, often weaving in rare tracks and archival anecdotes. Episodes regularly explore career-defining eras, studio culture, and behind-the-scenes stories from the 1960s onward, with a strong emphasis on personal narratives, music history, and the creative process. A standout trait is the host's thorough research and calm, insightful questioning, which tends to draw out nuanced reflections and lesser-known tales from artists and collaborators. Listeners can expect deep dives into iconic records, studio magic, live performances, and the evolving music industry, often accompanied by thoughtfully selected music that enriches the sto... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Strange Brew?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Strange Brew:

1. Word In Your Ear
2. Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt
3. Sodajerker On Songwriting
4. EggPod Express
5. 1001 Album Complaints

How many episodes of The Strange Brew are there?

The Strange Brew launched 17 years ago and published 301 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Strange Brew?

Recent guests on The Strange Brew include:

1. Anthony Phillips
2. John Leckie
3. John Helliwell
4. Boz Boorer
5. Mark Webber
6. Michael Weston King
7. Dan Penn
8. Gary Talley

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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