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25 O'Clock

Philadelphia's longest running music podcast (we think), with your host, Dan Drago. Conversations with artists and community, intimate musical performances, in-depth discussions on performing, touring, recording, and being alive.
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Now displaying: Page 2
Sep 12, 2023

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.

Sep 5, 2023

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

Jul 25, 2023

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.

Jul 18, 2023

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. 

Jul 11, 2023

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

4) Ruby Dear- Spirit Go

5) Corrinne Mammana- This & That

6) The Witherbees- Mo(u)rning

7) Seth Witcher- I Hate Love Songs

8) Slingshot Dakota- Casino Night

Jul 4, 2023

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. 

Jun 27, 2023

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. 

Jun 20, 2023

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. 

Jun 6, 2023

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. 

May 30, 2023

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.  

May 23, 2023

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. 

May 16, 2023

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.  

May 9, 2023

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). 

May 2, 2023

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. 

Apr 27, 2023

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

Apr 24, 2023

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. 

Apr 18, 2023

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

Apr 11, 2023

Dan brings you a brand new playlist of Philadelphia (and adjacent) music, featuring new music from mainstays like The Lunar Year, Sug Daniels, Comprador, and some new faces like Plans To Sand, Booze Radly, AFTYN, and more. Look below at the clickable playlist, and go support the artists you like. You can also check out the playlist at 25oclockpod.com. And, since most of the band links are for their Bandcamp pages, you can support the unionization efforts over at Bandcamp by checking out Bandcamp United

 

1) Comprador- I Bet On Losing Dogs

2) The Lunar Year- I Kiss Strangers

3) Booze Radly- Ghost Sounds

4) Squiggler- Get Up Too Early

5) Bryn Rich- Three Leaf Clover

6) Plans To Sand- So What

7) Joe Kenny- In The Mi(d)st (feat. Sterling Duns)

8) Jodaki- Rip Out My Brain

9) Crumble Boy- A Rose For All My Dreams

10) Brian John McBrearty- Into The Bargain

11) Dante Robinson & The It’s Lit Family- Bastion Blues, pts. I & II

12) AFTYN- Autumn

13) Xemi- Erode

14) Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- Can’t Wait No Rush

15) Sug Daniels- When I’m Gone

 

Apr 4, 2023

Dan sits down with old friends Jayson Verdibello and Eric Zrinsky to talk about their newest project, Small Graves. Formed out of the post-pandemic ashes of goodnight/good luck, Jay and Eric talk about how they eventually decided to start another band, scrapping all their unused songs to begin again, the ups and downs of being in a loud rock band in your mid to late 30s, marriage, fatherhood, and their love for the younger punk rock kids. Small Graves' newest single, "Jayson Sadman's Joyless Travel Agency" is out now wherever you get digital music, along with a music video. Their forthcoming EP, 'irregular' (recorded at The Headroom with Kyle Pulley) will be out later this year. 

Mar 28, 2023

Dan talks with long-time Philadelphia musician, writer, mover, and shaker Joey Sweeney about all the "low-key Philly" things he's been involved in. The two talk about Joey's famous Philebrity blog (a huge part of Dan's early acclimation to the city), the death of alt-weeklies, South Street, doing cool projects with cool people, the upcoming 48 Record Bar in Old City, his monthly vareity show residency at Ortlieb's, and Joey's music, which he's been writing and performing since the early 90s. His newest release, asJoey Sweeney and the Neon Grease, is the 'Magazine Moonlight' EP, available now wherever you get digital music and on The Giving Groove Records

IVA 0
Mar 21, 2023

Dan talks with Wilmington, DE native IVA about growing up singing opera and jazz, being the first of her very musical family to pursue music as a career, being a repeat player on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in the early 00s, working for Sony Classical, living and making music in Sweden, writing songs in Nashville, and her new EP, 'Nobody's Woman', produced at Turtle Studios by Philadelphia all-star Ross Bellenoit. 'Nobody's Woman' is out now, and is available wherever you get digital music. 

Mar 14, 2023

Dan talks with Tim Hause about growing up in Roxborough, writing music his older brother, Dave Hause, playing with The Bouncing Souls when he was just 10 years old, running a record label, his debut solo LP, working with Will Hoge in Nashville, and the ups and downs of touring life. Tim's debut LP, 'TIM', is out now on Blood Harmony Records. Tim and Dave have teamed up with Rising Sun Presents to bring the Sing Us Home Festival to the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia from May 5th-6th, featuring Drive By Truckers, Kathleen Edwards, The Tisburys, Catbite, and many more. 

Mar 7, 2023

Dan and Scarlet Hernandez have been mutual fans of each other for a while, and only in the summer of '22 did they finally meet (almost accidentally) in person. Scarlet talks about growing up in Newark, New Jersey, booking national bands at her high school radio station, doing everything under the sun in the music industry to find what she liked, hallowed Philadelphia venues like the Electric Factory and the Trocadero, managing artists like Max Swan, and her role as the membership director at REC Philly.

Feb 28, 2023

Lisa Schaffer has been to more shows than you have, for sure. Dan talks to the hardest working photographer in the Philly music community about her love of music, records, live shows, and how seeing Philly artists like Ben Arnold and Hezekiah Jones in the early 00s put her on her path. She's also an accomplished vinyl DJ, so we talk records, how she ended up working in a record store in her 40s, where to start with legacy artists, her daughter's obsession with Eartha Kitt, and so much more. Check out Lisa's extensive portfolio on her website, and follow her on IG to find out where she's spinning next. 

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