John Morrison is a DJ, producer, musician, writer, podcast host, and a general Philly Renaissance man. Dan and John talk about John growing up seeing hip-hop at a young age thanks to his brother's influence, learning how to make his own samples, his tips for crate-digging, and the solitude of being your own beat-maker. More talk includes: high school tribes, getting someone else to edit your podcast, and how no one actually wants to be Joe Rogan, including Joe Rogan sometimes. John is the host of Culture Cypher Radio, a new program on WXPN 88.5 FM, and cohosts the podcast 'Serious Rap Sh*t' with Josh Indi Leidy.

Katie and Dan go way back to a sidewalk show in 2009 that they both played, and have been friends ever since. Katie returns to the show (she was one of the first guests, way back on #14) to talk about her new record, 'Long Night Moon', her music being featured on Netflix in a pretty odd scene for a folk song, and some general songwriting catch-up for the two. 

Dan and Dave talk about Dave's massive catalog of music, his long journey as a songwriter and performer, and how Debussy was right when he said that it's a great life to be a musician, but a crummy job. From his studies of South Indian Classical tradition to his embracing the pop song in so many of it's forms, Dave Cope is a writer and musician who likes to break up his own patterns and see what shakes out. His newest LP, 'Dave Cope and the Sass', is out now everywhere you get music. 

Episode image created by Hannah Taylor

Kristen Levine and Paige Walter are the brains and brawn and the everything behind Cherry-Veen Zine, a real, on-paper zine that spotlights Philly musicians and artists. Dan, Kristen, and Paige talk about how they started the magazine, the evolution of it's style, and the moments when it really feels like they're getting somewhere. With plenty of similarities between zines and podcasts, it's a spirited conversation about the work and the rewards of being scene supporters in Philadelphia music community. 

Dan and Mike were very nearly in a band together way back in 2004. 15 years later, they're catching up about Mike's newest project, Pretend Collective. Dan and Mike talk about Mike's time with bands like Hoots and Hellmouth, becoming himself as a musician and as a person, and the flip-side of always keeping busy as a musician. Pretend Collective's self-titled LP is out 9/13 on Giving Groove Records.

Back from a brief summer break, Dan talks with Yeho about his many, MANY projects, including Likebirds, Interminable, Circadian Rhythms, and more. Yeho tells about his musical education at CAPA as a clarinetist, studying in Miami, coming home to Philly, and finding himself in the jam band scene. The two discuss what kind of responsibilities are on performers and promoters in the midst of movements like #metoo, and racial exclusion in the music scene. 

Valentina returns to the show to talk to Dan about her upcoming record, 'Bring On The Fire', her fundraising to make it a reality, and all the tumultuous events that led up to the album being written in the first place. Talking openly about her recent separation from her partner, Valentina takes us through the writing and recording process of the record, and how it'll there to help others as much as it has helped her. Her fundraising campaign ends on July 17th, so if you like what you hear and want to help, go here to lend a hand. 

Dan and Marcelyn Lebovitz talk about the box of CDs she inherited from her brothers and how it changed her life, how much touring is "just enough", going to the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia, and diversity in Philly DIY. She also hips Dan to bullet journaling, and offers to give him voice lessons (she's a classically trained singer), which he probably needs.

Taking a break from format, Dan offers up a series of live performances from the West Philly Porch Fest, a DIY community music festival that boasted more than 180 acts performing over the course of an afternoon. Hosted on porches all over West Philadelphia, here are 8 performances, presented in a stream, giving you a taste of what it's like to wander the neighborhood in search of live music. 

Dan and Elaine talk about her new live EP recorded at Philly's Music Ward, studying audio production as her school's only female recording student, what the Philly DIY scene has helped her accomplish, and a love of Sufjan Stevens. Elaine is on tour with Kate Dressed Up in June, go elainerasnake.com for more info.

After featuring Marc's band, Good Morning Daydreamer, on last episode's music compilation, it was good timing that he was able to talk with Dan. Dan and Marc go deep into how Marc came to music (spoiler: it involves a flute, and an upright bass), his influences (Miles Davis, Bill Evans, etc), and how he came back from a debilitating injury that threatened his ability to play music. The newest Good Morning Daydreamer record is called 'Rinse and Repeat' and is available everywhere you get digital music.

Join Dan as he takes a break from his usual tasks like talking to people, and brings you a lively compilation of new Philly music from artists like Night Windows, Yeenar, Khemist, Forest Kids Collective, Sophie Coran, and many more. Go to 25oclockpod.com for the full playlist and links.

Dan and The Chairman Dances frontman Eric have a lively chat about his work with producer/auteur Daniel Smith (Danielson), touring with Rhett Miller, and all the work and thought and work and people and work that goes into being able to do things like that. 

Ximena Violante and St. Clair Simmons, two members of the Latin folk/jazz/psychedelic group Interminable, sit down with Dan to talk about how they came to music, working in a band with so many different kinds of people and perspectives, how to tame a predominantly live sound in the studio, and coin the catchphrase "New People, Good Stuff". 

Dan sits down with Sterling Duns and RB Ricks of Hardwork Movement to talk about their influences, their love of all things Philadelphia, and the philosophy behind what makes the group what it is. Keeping the conversation free and loose, there's a lot of laughs, and a lot to think about (definitely the first time bell hooks has been discussed extensively). This episode was co-produced by Kyle Pulley of Headroom Studios.

With their new LP, ‘Pineapple Slasher’, out in the world, Jon Urban and John Rinaldo talk with Dan about the making of the record, how Tiger Castle morphed into a proper band after years of being Jon’s basement solo project, and working with The Headroom’s Kyle Pulley (Thin Lips) to put the finishing touches on the whole thing.

In the second part of the conversation Dan and Brian talk more about Philly and it's music, Weathervane Music, and get into Brian's approach and philosophies towards recording and working with bands. And, of course, some good ol' geeking out about bands like Fugazi and Dr. Dog, to name just a few.

Dan went to Miner Street Recordings to talk with owner/producer Brian McTear, and it went so well, it became a two-part episode. In Part 1, Dan and Brian talk about Brian’s early days in the Philly music scene, the rise and fall of trends/attitudes/bands/venues, opening his own studio, and forming the non-profit Weathervane Music in ‘09 amidst a failing economy. Enjoy an acceptable amount of name checking, nerding out on gear, and great stories about the people who were there at the right time along the way.

Welcome to the first episode of a new format called The Debut. Periodically, Dan will sit down with an artist or group that has just released their first work out into the world. They'll focus on the path that led up to their debut release, and play and talk about some of the music. It's a unique chance to hear from an artist at a unique point in their career: the beginning. 

This episode of The Debut is with Coleman Rigg, originally from Central PA, and now a part of the thriving Philly music scene. Check out his debut, self-titled EP and more at colemanrigg.com.

With her new record out, 'Wide Eyes, Brianna and Dan talk about her love of the electric guitar, her musician father's positive influence on her playing, and her competitive streak that drives her to be the best she can be. They talk about her time in the Temple University musician event group MEISA, their mutual love of Philly musicians like Abi Reimold and Ross Bellenoit, as well as their love for Dire Straits.

Dan rounds out the year with a collection of 2018 music from past guests. Enjoy the tunes, and Happy New Year. Go to 25oclockpod.com for the complete links to all the artists featured on this episode. 

Dan saw Hemming (Candice Martello) play on a killer bill recently, and had to have her on to talk about her music, her fascinating trajectory as a musician, and colds. Candice and Dan chat about songwriting, the anxiety and fear in performing, being on the road with Chris Cornell, Rachael Yamagata, and Cayetana, and how she sometimes still needs a push from others to get her moving.

In the midst of working on her new full length LP, Kate Miller (aka Kate Dressed Up) sits down with Dan to talk about how she got here, how she writes, and how she wants to keep going further. Dan and Kate talk about their specific writing processes, Ani Difranco, Bright Eyes, having to do ‘everything’, collaborating with a couple of Ugandan musicians she met at a gig, and some mutual Asbury Park friends they didn’t realize they had until now.

No stranger to the show, Brian finally gets his very own episode (he's been a guest on Ep50 and Ep71). Dan and Brian talk about Brian's band, The Paper Jets, their new record, and their upcoming farewell show in Asbury Park. From his start as a jazz fan and sax player, to college where he got a crash course in rock and pop, to his evolution as a songwriter, Brian is a sharp and prolific musical mind, and he talks about his past projects as well as the next one he's got in the works. 

Taking a break from the usual tried and true interview, Dan highlights 11 tracks from 11 Philadelphia area bands this week. Enjoy a mix of music from previous guests, as well as brand new folk that even Dan had never heard of until now. Check out the full track listing and artist links at 25oclockpod.com.