Dan is back from a few weeks in Japan, and with him comes stories, memories, a new found love of seaweed related snacks, and this playlist episode. Featuring 15 recently released tracks from Philadelphia musicians, please enjoy just a taste of all the great talent here is in this city. Please see the clickable playlist below, which allows you to link up instantly with any and all of the artists played in this episode. Check out their music, see when they're playing, and buy their records. Support the Philadelphia community if you are able, any support is greatly appreciated by the artists.
Note: While we are aware of and incredibly concerned about the issues surrounding the recent Bandcamp sale and massive layoffs (many friends and listeners of the show were employees who lost their jobs, and we wish them new and better opportunities as quickly as possible), we still feel the platform is currently one of the best ways to put the most money via online sales into the pockets of independent artists. We will continue to steer you towards an artist's Bandcamp page until we deem it no longer fair or equitable for the artist. Currently, artists are still being paid from their Bandcamp sales in the same manner and scale as before the recent sale of the company. We will continue to stay informed on the situation, and will adjust our position when and if events warrant.
Rob Rapp- Nobody Knows (Where Rosemary Goes)- Meanwhile in Collegeville
A Day Without Love- Storyteller- A Stranger That You Met Before
The Bret Tobias Set- It Never Hurts (But You Get Fast)- Pleaser, Vol. 1
Dave Cope and the Sass- Les Jardins Gris- Songs Of Sea and Skye
Frank Brown fronted one of the best Philadelphia bands of the 90s, Flight Of Mavis. When the touring life (which featured opening for the late Sinead O'Connor amidst her rise to stardom) couldn't pay the bills, Frank put the band to bed, and started Buzz Zeemer, which was never intended to have any ambition at all. Flash forward to 2023, and Pat Feeney at Main Street Music in Manayunk put out a full length record of Buzz Zeemer material that was recorded back in the mid 90s called 'Lost And Found'. Frank talks to Dan about the Philly music scene back in the day, what he's been up to for almost 25 years, and the joy of his music connecting with people so long after the fact. 'Lost and Found' is available wherever you get digital music, and on vinyl at Main Street Music.
Matt Nestor, drummer of Apple Juice Jones, reached out to Dan a bit ago to tell him the story of the band and the tragic loss of their frontman, Teddy Kradzinski. Dan was moved by the story, so he invited Matt and bassist Mike Bennett over to talk about it all. Matt and Mike talk about the early days of the band, living in a house together during the pandemic and practicing and playing for hours every day, Teddy's incredibly prolific catalog, losing him suddenly, and how they decided to not only keep the band going, but to continue to ressurect a mountain of material featuring Teddy's voice and guitar. With the help of Michael Cumming and Logan Roth at Treacle Mine Studios, they were able to put out 'Angel Number 77', and the story of how it came to be is amazing. Apple Juice Jones have new singles out now, as well as live recordings, all at their Bandcamp.
Dan has been a fan of Moustapha Noumbissi ever since he first heard him on WXPN's Philly Local show. Moustapha talks with Dan about growing up in Belgium, the culture shock of switching to an American school in Upper Darby when he was 7, playing college basketball, always being fascinated by guitar and songwriting, and how a One Direction concert that he was forced to take his sister to changed his life forever. He praises his producer Lee Clarke, his band, and the Philly music community for helping him on this amazing path he's on. Moustapha's latest single, "Heaven", is available wherever you get digital music. He'll be part of Philly Music Fest, which is all week this week around town. Go to Philly Music Fest's website for all the info about this week long fest.
Photo credit: John Vettese
With Philly Music Fest nearly upon us, Dan talks with Samantha Gongol and Jeremy Lloyd of Marian Hill in lieu of their PMF performance on 10/11 at World Cafe Live. Sam and Jeremy talk about meeting in middle school, turning a one-time collaboration into a decade-long group, their early opportunities, the role that MP3 blogs played in their early success, and where they're headed these days. Philly Music Fest is October 9-15, at multiple venues throughout Philadelphia, go to their site for ticket info, lineup, scheduling, and all the organizations that benefit from this fully non-profit music fest.
Dan talks with Suzanne Sheer, Philly based/Pittsburgh born singer-songwriter extraordinaire. Suzanne opens up about her latest LP, 'Blue Hour', her new singles, coming from a very music familiy, music school in New Mexico, and how the pandemic shaped what would be her current trajectory. Suzanne talks about the joy of meeting and talking to people after the shows who are moved by her music, the perils of being a social media creator, her relationship with her two producer/collaborators, LOTITS and 3XPO, and the huge role that Philly venue Warehouse On Watts has played in her life. Suzanne has two new singles out now, "Baby 4 Life" and "Off Limits", both available wherever you get your digital music.
Dan converses with singer-songwriter Julia Pratt about her life, both in music and out: moving around a lot as a kid, living in China and Vietnam as an ex-pat, early songwriting, playing guitar for only about a year, and the opportunities that have come her way recently. Julia talks about her recent collaboration with Philly band Mt. Joy, opening for Hozier at World Cafe Live, writing songs for Disney, and how she's always aware that, at any moment, all this could go away. Her newest single, "A Little Love (feat. Mt. Joy)", is available now wherever you get digital music, as well as her previous singles. She's part of this year's Xponential Music Festival, as well as the Philly Music Fest in October.
Dan has been listening to Julian Booker on WXPN for a long time, especially on Sleepy Hollow every Sunday morning. Julian sits down to talk about growing up in a music and radio house (his father was in the broadcast biz), working after school and summers in the production booth, his early days producing concerts for The Blockley in University City, moving to Ardmore Music Hall and being part of Rising Sun Presents, his love for music from around the world, as well as his time on the road with artists like Marc Benevento and Karina Rykman.
And speaking of WXPN, don't miss Xponential Music fest, 9/22-24 at Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront. Three days of amazing music, all curated by WXPN. Weekend and day passes available at xpnfest.org.
Dan is always glad to talk to Nik Greeley, which is why this is Nik's third full length episode. And they always seems to talk at a time when Nik is going through a period of growth and change, whether it be in his personal life, or with his band, The Operators. Dan and Nik talk about coming back after the pandemic, working in the concert industry at Rising Sun Presents, and stepping back from talent buying to fully commit to his music. Nik opens up about always working on his mental health, keeping the bad habits at bay, and how focusing on himself and his band has been a huge help in that, as well as being part of the Johnny Brenda's and The International Bar family on the hospitality side. Nik Greeley and the Operators have a brand new EP out right now called 'Scatterbrain', available wherever you get your digital music. The band will also be playing at Xponential Music Festival on Sept 22nd, as part of WXPN's 3 day concert festival, now in it's 30th year.
Photo by Lisa Schaffer
Dan and the ethereal duo Love? Said The Commander have been wanting to make this episode happen for quite some time, and it finally happened. Kate Hall and Chris Bishop talk about meeting on CraigsList (his first original band, her umpteenth), deciding to be a two-piece, sparse songwriting (they call it "maximal minimalism"), live performing, their excellent YouTube series 'Spaces', and why they choose to do nearly everything for the band (recording, videos, etc) in house. Their newest release is a 13 minute song suite called 'Breathing Room', which has also been released as an EP. 'Breathing Room', 'In The Kitchen', and the rest of their discopgraphy is available on their site and wherever you get your digital music.
Dan sits down with Kevin Hanson (The Fractals, Huffamoose) to talk songwriting (he's a songwriting professor at University of the Arts), the up-and-down ride that was Huffamoose in the 90s and early 00s (including a last minute gig on the Woodstock '94 mainstage), working with The Roots, Jay-Z, Jill Scott, Victor Wooten, and so many more as a session guitarist, famed Philly music club The Fire and then-promoter Derek Dorsey, and how The Fractals feel like they have "more juice" these days than ever before. The Fractals' latest single, "Christopher Walken", is out now and available wherever you get digital music, and don't forget to check out the video as well.
Also, Sweet Juice Fest is Saturday, July 22nd, 1:30pm to 9pm, at Rigby Mansion in Philadelphia. Artists include Shamir, American Trappist, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, and more. Get your tix, it will sell out! Do not miss it, this fest grows better and better with each year.
Dan sits down with Phillip and David of Your Next Favorite Band, a podcast out of the Lehigh Valley in PA that's very much in the spirit of what 25 O'Clock is about: finding and discovering new music. Phil and Dave talk about how they met, starting the podcast only a year or so ago, and the wide variety of great music in the Lehigh Valley (with a lot of talk about Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA). They also brought along some music to play guest DJs, so look below for the clickable playlist. Your Next Favorite Band livestreams every Tuesday night at 6:30pm EST on YouTube, Twitch and Facebook, and the podcast version goes up Thursdays, available wherever you get your podcasts.
1) Tioga- Just My Body
2) Groove Merchants- Midnight Mountain Queen
3) Billy Bauer Band- So I Love
5) Corrinne Mammana- This & That
Dan talks to Ron Aikens, and his story is full of twists and turns. Originally part of Philly soul group United Image, they were signed to Stax Records and on their way up when Ron was suddenly sentenced to a term in Graterford Prison, where he joined the prison band Power Of Attorney (signed to Polydor Records). Dan and Ron talk about what it was like to be part of a touring and recording band while incarcerated, his ups and downs in the music biz when he got out, pressing the pause button and taking a city job, and being moved to sing on the street when he retired. Joined by Max Ochester, owner of Brewerytown Beats, Ron has put out his first music in over 40 years. Thanks to Max and his in-house record label, you can get the new Ron and the Hip Tones singles wherever you get digital music, with more on the way.
Dan talks to Brian Seymour about growing up in the shadow of New York City, the Dutch art market of the 17th century (Brian's an art history professor by day at Community College of Philadelphia), playing Tom Waits tunes all over, auction houses, piano playing, his many records and steps as a singer songwriter, how he "fell over" creatively, and the producers in his life who have told him "Nah, that's not what this record's gonna be". Brian's newest LP, 'American Courage', is out everywhere on June 30th.
Dan had Josh Kirwin (mastermind behind Tubey Frank) on the show way back in early April of 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Both were excited to talk to each other, but technical failures on Dan's part made it so the interview was unreleasable (it was early on in the Zoom/streaming/remote recording days, Josh has since forgiven Dan). But Josh is back, in person, and we couldn't be happier. Dan and Josh talk about Josh growing up in Lancaster, PA, watching his father gig like crazy in his bands, making his own counter-melodies at age 6, playing onstage as early as 15, taking care of yourself, giving folks your best, being addicted to stacking countless guitar tracks, getting Philly and Lancaster bands to gig swap, and so much more. The new Tubey Frank LP, 'Apple Pie Bible', is out June 23rd on Spring Garden Records, and is available wherever you get your digital music.
Dan's at it again with a whole new playlist of Philadelphia music to kick off the summer season. Enjoy the playlist below, all with links to the artists and where to buy their music. Support the community, support the great music of Philadelphia!
1) Ron & the Hip Tones- Do What I Wanna Do
2) Reese Florence- Digital Dissociation
3) Taylor Kelly- Black Hole Sun (live)- Live In Philly
7) Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- Almost Ready To Be Friends
8) Erin Fox- Down Luck- For Your Loss
9) Brother Of Monday- Stacking Apples- Brother Of Monday
10) Greg Mendez- Best Behavior- Greg Mendez
11) Moustapha Noumbisi- Heaven
12) Rover Rover- Whatever You Want- Things On Fire
Dan talks with Nero Catalano about all the zillions of things he's got going on: playing with artists like Work Drugs and Andrew Lipke, The Newspaper Taxis (a Beatles tribute band that Dan was also once a part of), teaching at Settlement Music School, hosting open mics at Fergie's Pub, and so much more. Nero has an LP out called 'Doors Open', and it's his first full length record under his own name. You can get it at his website, or wherever you get your digital music.
Dan talk with Aaron Parnell Brown about his band, The Right Fiction, as well as his previous project, Aaron and the Spell, and his solo work. Aaron talks about coming to songwriting in college, finding his voice as a singer, and the joys of collaboration with his current band memebers (they also host a music deep dive podcast called The List). The Right Fiction's new LP, 'Golden Apple' is out everywhere you get digital music on Friday, June 2nd.
Dan talks to Philadelphia DJ Cosmo Baker about growing up in South Philly, his parents' skateboard store, King Britt, The Remedy (a regular club night that Cosmo put on with Rich Medina for years), moving to Brooklyn, the hustle and grind that is living in New York City, coming home to Philly after years on the road, how he shelves his records (depends on which room), and how his tastes have progressed and evolved as he gets older. Check out Cosmo's work on Mixcloud, and sign up for his mailing list at his website.
Dan talks with Rich and Rob Kwait of Cabin Dogs, twin brothers who have been playing music together since they were kids growing up in Plymouth Meeting. The brothers talk about getting their first guitars, being influenced by bands like the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, delving more and more into folk and Americana, and their writing/recording retreats up in the Finger Lakes in New York State (an area that Dan is very familliar with). Cabin Dogs new LP, 'On the Creek', is out now and available anywhere you get digital music, as well as on vinyl and CD at the group's website.
Dan talks to Bright Kelly about growing up in South Philadelphia, going to school at Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP for short), singing, high school bands, writing, poetry, The Great Enough, finally coming around on Tom Petty, favorite songwriters, and that's not even the half of it. Bright's latest EP, 'The Quiet Ones' is out now wherever you get digital music. He also just released a collection of covers called 'Interpreter: The Patreon Sessions', containing covers that were previously only available to his Patreon supporters.
Speaking of which! 25 O'Clock now has a Patreon! It's a new and adventurous thing we're doing. Please give it a look and consider supporting Philadelphia's Longest Running Music Podcast (we think).
Dan talks with E.J. Simpson about his vast musical resume, including The Goats, Maggi Pierce and E.J., Beru Revue, Boris Garcia, and all the various tributes and projects he's been a part of. E.J. has a new LP out on May 5th called 'E.J. Simpson's You Purple Virgin Presents Fabulous Fantasy', available at his site and anywhere you get digital music. They talk touring (both on a label and DIY), E.J.'s custom Modulus bass, working with Phil Nicolo, and what it is to be a "lifer" at this stage in the game.
Dan talks to long-time punk rock musician and songwriter Dave Hause about, well, everything. Dan and Dave talk his formative years growing up in Roxborough, being a roadie for Sick Of It All and The Bouncing Souls as a teen, starting his own bands like Step Ahead, The Curse, and The Loved Ones, playing in Paint It Black, and starting his own solo career. Dave talks deeply about family, fatherhood, songwriting, the benefits of therapy, the hard work that it takes to be an independent artist and record label (Dave started Blood Harmony Records with his brother Tim Hause in 2021), and the unexpected postion of creating a music festival. Dave and his team, along with Rising Sun Presents, bring their first ever festival, Sing Us Home Fest, to Manayunk, May 5th-6th. Dave's newest LP, 'Drive It Like It's Stolen', is out April 28th via his website, Blood Harmony Records, and anywhere you get digital music.
Dan talks to Crossed Keys member Joshua Alvarez and Dave Adoff about their history in the Philadelphia music and punk/hardcore communities over the years (members come from bands like Kid Dynamite, Step Ahead, Ink & Dagger, Halo of Snakes, Good Riddance, and so many more), their friendship going back to middle school, starting their own record label Dead Satellite Records, and their upcoming LP, 'Believes In You', just in time for the Sing Us Home Festival in Manayunk, May 5th-6th. 'Belives In You' is out May 5th, and available at their Bandcamp, Creep Records, Sell The Heart Records, and wherever you get digital music.
Back in early 2018, Dan talked with John Faye, and briefly touched on a book he was starting to work on. Five years later, the book is done, and John is back to talk about 'The Yin And Yang Of It All', his memoir of growing up in Delaware, his stint on A&M Records with his band The Caulfields, the powerful influence of his mother and sisters, maintaining a music career for multiple decades, and plenty of great stories from his years of playing and touring. They even touch on John's podcast, "Talking At the Diner", where John talks to members of what he likes to call "the musical middle class". 'The Yin And Yang Of It All' is out now, and available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and John's website.