And like that, the end of another year. Whether 2024 was a slog, a joyful ride, or something in between, we can all agree that if you measure a year by its music, it looks a whole lot better. Dan shares a playlist of tracks from Philadelphia artists from 2024. Some have been on the show, some he's only just discovering, and all of it is top notch. Check out the clickable playlist below, and have a happy new year!
We're going to take a couple of weeks off in January. There's still a few conversations I'm meaning to get on tape before I depart, and those will get released as I settle in to Hong Kong life. So keep posted via the socials, email list, etc. The show sure isn't ending, just changing. More to come, more fun to be had. Thank you all for a great year, you've made my 10th year the greatest. Here's to more and more.
Dan brings Ross Bellenoit back for another conversation, his last one was fall of 2016. A lot has been going on: Ross has continued to release music as a solo artist, as part of the face-melting jam band Muscle Tough, and as part of Don McCloskey's live band. On top of it all, he continues to produce records at Turtle Studios, and teach guitar to all ages and levels. Ross talks about growing up in Western Massachusetts (a fact we sort of skipped over last time), his mom's outstanding record collection, playing jazz at a young age, moving to Philadelphia to go to UArts, and staying ever since. Ross' latest LP is a brilliant instrumental jazz album called 'Signals', available wherever you get digital music, as well as on vinyl via his website.
Dan sits down with pianist/composer/producer Corey Bernhard (currently a member of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert house band) about his journey from Boston to Philadelphia, and all the points in between. Steeped in the jazz and experimental scenes in Boston and New York, Corey landed in Philadelphia and founded Killiam Shakespeare, a beloved Philly insturmental hip-hop group. he's played with acts like Bilal, Snarky Puppy, Ed Sheeran, Ariana grande, Bootsy Collins, and so many more. Corey also gets into his upcoming LP, 'A Blessed Leap into Eternity', available January 24th (check out the pre-release singles), and how working with Michael Cummings (Trap Rabbit, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sophie Coran) was an amazing collaboration of creativity, experimentation, and patience.
Dan has talked to John Faye on the show before (twice, actually), but this time they're doing it live. On December 4th, 2024, John held a vinyl listening party for his new LP, 'The Long Game', at 48 Record Bar in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia. He asked Dan to come interview him live on stage in front of an audience, they recorded it, and decided it was cool enough to share with the world. Big thanks to all the staff at 48 Record Bar for making a wonderful evening, everyone who came and shared the night with us, and special thanks to producer and Philadelphia music OG Phil Nicolo (Studio 4, The Butcher Brothers) for sitting front and center and engaging in just a bit of good natured heckling. Also included in this episode is an excerpt from John's autobiography,' The Yin And Yang Of It All', available wherever you get books.
'The Long Game' is out now wherever you get your digital music, and available on vinyl via In The Pocket Productions on John's website.
Dan has a full house this week with Sexton Sideshow founders Paula and Jim Minacci. As the sextons (or caretakers) of Old Swedes' Church in Philadelphia since 2000, they started having events featuring Philadelphia artists like Deadfellow, Low Cut Connie, and EJ Simpson's long running one-man 'Jesus Christ Superstar' production. Paula and Jim talk with Dan about how they got into doing shows, being inspired by their son Dylan's journey into the music business, offering up their home to travelling artists from all over, and this month's big event: a musical tribute to 'O Brother Where Art Thou', now in it's 7th year. They even bring Philadelphia singer-songwriter (and past 25 O'Clock guest) Emily Drinker to talk about the show and all that goes into making it happen (the show features almost two dozen Philadelphia area performers and artists).
Sexton Sideshow Presents: 'O Brother Where Art Thou' is December 13th and 14th at Old Swedes' Church at Christan St and Columbus Blvd in Philadelphia. Tickets are available at the church's website and on the the Sexton Sideshow Instagram.