Just a few days before he took off for Hong Kong, Dan talks to folk singer-songwriter Andrea Nardello at her kitchen table in Philadelphia. Andrea talks about growing up the tomboy sister of older brothers just over the bridge in New Jersey, coming out of her shell to perform in college, and getting her start on the road while living in Atlanta at the beginning of her career. They discuss touring life, the grind of producing content, the ups and downs of booking even in your own hometown, their mutual love of Ani Difranco and the Indigo Girls, and Andrea's biggest aspiration: to be a "legacy opener".
Andrea Nardello's newest EP, 'Rise', is out now wherever you get your digital music, and on CD via her website. Follow her on IG to stay up to date with upcoming shows and releases.
In the opening, I talk about an event happening this weekend in Bethlehem, PA and in the Philly suburbs. Listen To the Dissonance is an annual concert series put on by Your Next Favorite Band (our sister podcast up in the Lehigh Valley), focusing on intimate performances from songwriters speaking about mental health awareness. This year, there are two opportunities to see it: 2/28 in Bethlehem at the Icehouse, and 3/1 in Wayne at 118 North. Both shows will feature performances from Jon Worthy, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, A Day Without Love, and Cass Noelle. Come and be a part of this movement to de-stigmatize and promote mental health awareness through the universal language of music. Tickets are available, and you can get more information at Your Next Favorite Band's website.
It's been a long time coming, but Dan finally sits down with Bruce Warren, recently retired program director from WXPN, Philadelphia's non-commercial radio station. Bruce talks about growing up in Northeast Philly, getting turned on by Philly soul, Motown, The Beatles, etc, starting a music zine to get into shows for free, and taking a random late night DJ shift at a burgeoning college radio station would change his entire life. Dan and Bruce share their experiences in the restaurant industry (Bruce's gig before he found a life in radio), the changes at WXPN over his 35 years, the amazing people he gets to call colleagues, and what he plans to do with his time now that he's retiring. But don't worry: guys like Bruce don't sit still, even in retirement.
Bruce still has the Saturday shift on WXPN from 1Oam to 2pm EST ('The Post Sleepy Hollow Experience'), and teaches social media and business at University of Pennsylvania and Temple University.
Dan took a trip out to Wayne, PA to sit down with rock n' roll lifer Paul Keen (Pawnshop Roses, Dead Flowers, Wolf & Vixen). Paul talks about growing up loving the classic rock of his parents, especially The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Faces, and The Who, and finding a home in the Manayunk music scene at The Grape Room and Dawson Street Pub. Dan and Paul discuss the finer points of being two aging music guys who are trying hard not to be cranky nostalgists, the merits of dive bars and clubs, and how a life of playing out at bars has to be handled just right so as not to make your life a never-ending party.
Paul's newest project is a duo with his partner, author C.C. Lane, Wolf & Vixen. they have a new single out now called "Everyone's On Drugs", available wherever you get your digital music.
Dan's note: This is the last episode I'll be producing while residing in Philadelphia for a while. Next you hear from me, I'll likely be balancing a Zoom H6 on my lap while holding a mic in a small apartment in the North Point neighborhood of Hong Kong. There are a handful of interviews I conducted while still in Philadelphia, and I'll be putting those out over the next weeks. Philadelphia will always be part of me, and I'll be back to visit, and eventually to live again. I'll miss each and every one of you. Be well.
We're back from January break, and in the home stretch before Dan heads off to Hong Kong. We're getting the year started off right with a great conversation with singer-songwriter Maria Mirenzi. Maria talks to Dan right at her dining room table about growing up in Mountain Top, PA, playing saxophone, being a "jazz kid", Temple music school, living in France, her first project Brother Martin, growing into being a solo artist, and playing more guitar. Dan and Maria also get very sidetracked (Dan's fault) talking about the perceived spirt life of inanimate objects, and how songwriting is the closest thing to magic that they can explain rationally.
Maria's newest single, "Suburban Nightmare", is available wherever you get digital music. She's playing at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City on February 22nd with Teen Idle, Nylon Ghost and Those Looks.