As the year draws to a close, Dan talks to a few past guests about the music they put out this year, the tunes they discovered, and what they managed to get done. Featuring conversations with John Faye, Lia Menaker, Tara Murtha, Jesse Lundy, and Brian Walker. Includes tracks by Erin Fox, Sophie Coran, Avataria, Erin Incoherent, and more. Happy New Year to all!
Ali Awan and Dan talk about Ali's nomadic upbringing in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, growing up Muslim in America post 9/11, and how punk rock saved him at the right time. Touring life, recording in his van, a newfound skill in fixing cars, songwriting, and what the future holds are all up for discussion, as well as his involvement with the Philly Holiday Album, benefitting Save Our Stages and Tots for Tots.
Despite a tour-less year, Susan Werner is thankful to be doing alright. Susan and Dan talk about coming up in Philly in the 90s, her new LP, 'Flyover Country', diving into all the different styles of country music, working with uber-talent Mike Brenner as a producer, and growing up on an Iowa farm.
Since they live in the same house, it was easy to get both Maggie and Eric at once. They talk with Dan about what they've been doing to keep busy/sane, Eric's new 'Coop A Loop' album, Maggie's new single, 'Hometown', and everyone learns some fun facts about the octopus.
Born in Colombia and raised in rural PA, Laura's journey to Philadelphia has been a unique one. Laura and Dan talk about growing up with music in the house (her brother was a classical bassist), being a woman in the jazz scene, all the risque moments of 'Anything Goes', and her new record, 'Heart'.
Danny Black (Good Old War, Joshua Radin) has a new record, 'Black Ryno', out now. Danny and Dan talk about the LP, working with Ryan Zimmaro on drums (the 'Ryno' of 'Black Ryno), lots of guitars, and how working on the record during the first months of the pandemic helped keep him even.
Dan talks to Maggie Poulos, founder of Mixtape Media, all about the joys of being a music publicist. They get into her time working in NYC on the music industry, coming back to the Philly area, the importance of publicity when trying to get tot he next level (and how it's not simply a silver bullet), and how hard it is to burn a CD these days. Maggie's clients include Philly artists like The Dawn Drapes, Ali Awan, Mighty Joe Castro, Kirby Sybert, and more.
Drew's back to talk to Dan after 5 years since his first appearance. The two discuss hot jazz (Drew's area of performance and expertise), figuring out how to livestream, Drew's virtual variety show which draws in talent from all over the globe, his newest record, 'Just The Trio Us, Vol. 1', and how one stays relevant in a time when live performances are few and far between.
Dan and Jenny talk about her upbringing in Detroit, Motown, coming to Philly as a student at UArts, learning the Meisner method and how it helped inform her as a songwriter as well as an actor, Canadian rock radio, and striving to be a "valid person". Jenny's new single, 'Higher Self', is out now anywhere you get digital music, along with a video featuring dancer Abigail Kelvas.
One of the bands Dan heard a lot about this summer was Riverby. He finally got a chance to talk with August Greenberg, front-person and songwriter of the band. The two talk about how the band came together, getting tricked into living in Manayunk (where they still live), their new video that features smashed cake and a lot of fake blood, and August's love of antagonizing her bandmate, Tyler (who has nothing but nice things to say about anyone).
*Note: The artist has changed their name to August and identifies as non-binary. At the time of recording, they identified as "Sophie".
Dan got so much great music for last week's episode, he decided to do a second Fall 2020 Music Playlist. Featuring Ellen Siberian tiger, Ali Awan, Caiola, Riverby and more. Go to 25oclockpod.com for a clickable playlist and support the artists.
Welcome to fall! Dan highlights 11 tracks from Philly and Philly-related artists on the show, including Ross Bellenoit, King Pine, Dear Forbidden, La Palma, Wicket, and more.
Nearly four years in the making, Tyler and Dan finally get to talk. Tyler fronts The Tisburys, plays in Riverby, and writes for Philly music outlets like The Key and the Philadelphia Globe. Tyler and Dan talk about how The Tisburys came together, "purposeful songwriting", their forthcoming LP 'Sun Goes Down' and how it changed over the course of the pandemic, and the Manayunk music community.
Dan talks to Greg Seltzer, founder and organizer of the Philly Music Fest, now in it's 4th year. 2020 obviously dealt the fest some blows, but they've pivoted to offer a fully digital fest, and Greg talks about how that got put together, the slow-grow of the fest over the years, his ideas on how bands can operate better business-wise as live music reemerges, and he and Dan celebrate their favorite parts of the Philly music community.
Paul makes electronic music under man, many monikers, and they all live together as the Forest Kids Collective. Dan talks with Paul (who was originally on back in 2017 on #88) about a few of his newer releases, including a solo piano album and two slushwave EPs (Dan did not know what slushwave was, and needed guidance). The two discuss what they've been doing to occupy themselves, their various production approaches, and reminisce on those moments in college when someone drops some major knowledge on you.
Dan talks with Jay about his new 'Unwind' release, his band, The Barrel Fires, and being creative as a dad. The two discuss their love of the Grateful Dead, breaking out of the Americana rut, and how his wife's love of REM helps him deliver his best work.
Savan DePaul has been making beats and rapping since high school, but they've really come into their own over the last few years with a slew of out-there, challenging hip-hop and electronic records. Dan talks with Savan about growing up in Royersford, PA, moving to West Philly, the influence of artists like Bjork and Sun Ra, the black autism community, being non-binary, and using their newest project, Ishtar Sr., to continue to challenge themselves and make new kinds of music.
Marcelyn (Marcelyn, the band) and Juliet Eve (Bad Sleeper) had an idea: they'd write a song and have their bands team up and collaborate on it. Then, we all went inside for a very long time. But amidst lockdown and distancing, both Marcelyn and Bad Sleeper managed to each make their own version, and that's what Dan talks to them about, along with what they're doing to keep working amidst the pandemic.
Dan talks with Michael Stanzo and Daniel Rice of The Dawn Drapes about their unique sound, getting started in Northern VA, the differences between recording in LA with brother Johnathan Rice, and here at home at The Headroom, and how to keep a lasting friendship while also being in a band together.
Dan has been meaning to talk to producer/engineer Michael Cumming (Rittenhouse Soundworks/Treacle Mine Recording) for quite some time now, and it's finally happening. Dan and Michael talk about his journey from London for Philadelphia in his early 20s, their shared experiences working in kitchens and the music world simultaneously, Trap Rabbit and Sophie Coran (obviously), and the importance of "the hang" in the studio.
Lia comes from a background of musical theater and acting, but found that songwriting gave her the chance to be whatever she wanted to be. Dan and Lia talk about her life on stage from a young age, her transition into a singer-songwriter, her new EP 'I Am Kyros', and how she learned to stop letting the "journey of success' define her. The two discuss not taking every gig that pops up, acknowledging what about being a musician you don't like, and a love of gigs that end before 11pm.
Dan and Kirby get right down to it: their isolation, the crushing blow all their 2020 plans took, and Kirby's first solo album, 'Happy People Make Happy Things'. Kirby talks about making a record by hitting up against his own limitations, and how years of collaborating on other people's music gave him a big crowd to choose from when it came to finishing his own.
Rockabilly dynamo/graphic artist/avid reader Joe Castro talks to Dan about working with Brian McTear on his newest LP, 'Come On Angels' (with most of legendary Philly punk band Thorazine) and the many epiphanies that transpired. They also talk Love, Ted Hawkins, making music videos at home, Philly auteur Bob Sweeney, and how to play old-time rock n' roll without making it a museum piece.
Photo by Fear The Skull
Add Jefferson Berry to the list of people Dan has "met" but not really met, y'know? Great conversation about his new record, 'Double Deadbolt Logic', his California upbringing, working in radio in the 80s and 90s, and teaching government and economics to the students that the Philly school system has cast aside.
Dan talks to Avé, a Philly native and currently residing in London, about growing up in Mount Airy, their involvement and touring with the Philadelphia Boy's Choir, their upcoming novel and album (they go together), and navigating the world and family as both gay and non-binary. Avé's new singles are out on The Giving Groove, a Philly-centered non-profit record label.