The last time Brendan Johnson of Stella Ruze was on the show, it was with his bandmate Katie O'Donnell, and it was less than a week before the world shutdown in March of 2020 (Dan didn't have another in-person guest for nearly a year and a half). It's been almost five years, but Brendan comes back to talk to Dan about the band, some line-up and life changes amidst them, and how embracing improvisation and extended instrumental sections gave them their latest LP, 'Origin'. Brendan and Dan get into their love of live improvisation, namely the band Phish, and the difference between proper "jamming" and just extended soloing. 'Origin' is available December 20th wherever you get your digital music, and on vinyl through the band's website. Stella Ruze will play an LP release show at Ardmore Music Hall on December 21st with Hezekiah Jones and Brittany Ann Tranbaugh. 

Dan was moved to reach out to a seemingly anonymous person, based solely on liking his concert photography. And through that, Dan talks to Jersey Wall (or Eric, as he's known to some) for one of his first podcast appearances ever. Eric talks about growing up moving a lot, his dad's record collection, going to shows as a rite of passage into growing up, and his lifelong love of technology and innovation. Eric made his way to Philadelphia in 2009 and immediately found the music community to be not only full of great bands and shows, but also a great place to start delving into photography. Dan and Eric talk about the importance of comminity, of having something to offer, and how to ride the line between fan and contributor. Eric posts his photos on his Jersey Wall Instagram regularly, and recently did the promo photos for Philly band Soft Idiot (there's even a track from them at the end). Check out his IG where you can see his photos and contact him for future projects. 

Dan traveled up to Newtown, PA to sit with Dirty Dollhouse front-woman Chelsea Mitchell in her shop, Newtown Book & Record Exchange, along with her bassist Josh Machiz. Chelsea talks about growing up in Newtown, being an anxious, book-obsessed kid, and how she found her way into music by playing in the church worship bands and choir (where, as a bonus, she received classical voice training). She also talks about the trajectory of Dirty Dollhouse, beginning as a trio of her, Amber Twait and Vanessa Winters singing country harmonies, and how it morphed into the full band that it is today with members like Josh, Eric Lawry and Pete Hall. Dan, Chelsea, and Josh reminisce about an era in the Philly folk and rock scene that they all inhabited around the same time, and give their kudos to people who have helped along the way. 

Dirty Dollhouse's new LP, 'The End', is out now and available wherever you get digital music. The band will play a release show at Johnny Brenda's on November 22nd with Dominy and Bren. 

Also: Dan is getting ready to send the $$ from 'Want To Play A Song?: Live On 25 O'Clock Vol. 1' to Philly Music Fest (they're getting ready to announce their donation numbers very soon), so get yourself the comp exclusively on Bandcamp if you haven't already. All proceeds go to the charitable giving of PMF to music education charites in Philadlephia. 

Dan and and Kat Rivers met over a Philly music Discord, and started doing Monday co-working sessions at an Olde City coffee shop with a rotating cast of musicians and creatives. Kat talks about growing up in Paduka, Kentucky, her many years in musical theater (including the Walnut Street Theater, which is what brought her to Philadelphia), and stepping away from theater to focus on performing music. She gets into the nuts and bolts of working the wedding and cover band gigs, as well as how she finally put together her own band for her songs, Kat Rivers and the Second Sight. To quote Kat's current mantra, "There are so many ways to be good." Kat Rivers and the Second Sight have shows coming up this fall, including November 23rd at Fat Lady Brewing in Manayunk with Maria Mirenzi, and December 12th at Tin Can Bar in Port Richmond.