May 2026 Playlist
25 O'Clock
We've got 12 new tracks from Philadelphia artists for your listening enjoyment. Highlights include new music from Keaton Thandi, Lovecartel, JULITH, Squiggler, and so much more. Check out the clickable playlist below, and support the artists you love! We're getting a jump on June's playlist, so if you're a Philadelphia artist, please send your track and press info to .
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Máty Rodriguez
25 O'Clock
John talks with about growing up in New Jersey, her early days playing DIY shows, embracing all styles of music, her love of Sza, and how playing "Patience" by Guns N Roses will bring the house down every time. Máty shares the process of making her newest EP, working with her producer Justin, and how to use social media to say real things about yourself. Máty's , is out now wherever you get your digital music. She'll be at , and supporting the .
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Cliff Hillis
25 O'Clock
has spent a lot of his musical career saying "yes" and then figuring it out. Dan talks to Cliff about all his roles in music: songwriter and singer, cowriter, guitar tech, touring musician, collaborator, and so much more. Cliff talks about his days playing Rehoboth Beach bars with his brother to working with bands like The Innocence Mission, Starbelly, John Faye Power Trip, Patty Smyth, US Rails, and his current gig as bassist for (featuring members of ELO and ELO II). They also talk about the great Philadlephia music tribute (created by Hooter's drummer Dave Uosikkinen), , which Cliff has...
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March 2026 Playlist
25 O'Clock
We've got eleven new tracks for you from Philadelphia artists, and there's always a little something for everyone. Check out the clickable playlist below, it'll take you to each artist's website/social media/etc, and you can support the music you love. If you're a Philadelphia area band, you can submit your music to . Include a link to where the song can be downloaded, as well as any press sheets/EPKs/info about your band. We give all styles and genres consideration, it's just gotta be from around Philly.
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Maxwell Stern
25 O'Clock
John talks with about growing up in Cleveland, the midwest punk scenes he began playing music in, moving to Philadelphia and finding a whole new community there, songwriting, and his love of The Clash (among many others). Maxwell's latest LP, 'In the Good Light' is out now wherever you get your digital music, as well as on his . to stay up to date on his releases and tour dates (including a big Philadelphia show with Labrador and Old Souls).
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February 2026 Playlist
25 O'Clock
We've got thirteen new tracks for your ears this month. If you're a band or artist in the greater Philadelphia area, send your music to , we're always happy to hear what's coming out. Check out the clickable playlist below, it links to you to every artist featured on this episode so you can support the music you discover and love.
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Sara Johnson
25 O'Clock
Sara Johnson is often known by her solo project , under which she has been putting out music for quite. John Vettese sits down with Sara in her home to talk about her love of Jeff Buckley, her guitar playing journey, how to be creative in your spare time when you're also a creative for a living, (the band she fronts), spinning epic 9 hour sets at in Old City, how her best writing comes out, and so much more. Sara performs an achingly gorgeous song called "Always Leaving" from her upcoming EP. The new Stone Cold Grace EP is out later this year, and the latest single, , is out now wherever...
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January 2026 Playlist
25 O'Clock
It's the first playlist episode fo 2026, and we are coming in strong. Lots of great Philadelphia artists have music coming out in the first few months of this year, and this is just a small sampling of what's out there. As always, click the playlist below to go right to the artists you love and make sure you support them.
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Andrew Harris #2
25 O'Clock
Andrew Harris fronts , a band that's been part of the Philadelphia community for over a decade. And when Dan hit him with the word "decade", Drew is still trying to wrap his head around it. Drew talks about the nearly three year process that went into making their newest LP, how their songwriting as a band has become more democratic and open, why he'll always return to to work with Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey, and how teaching literature and poetry helps him write some of his best lyrics. is the newest LP from The Naked Sun, and will be available January 30th wherever you get...
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2025 Year End Episode
25 O'Clock
2025 is closing out, and we're taking a look at music that we loved from the year, as well as sharing holiday and year-end messages from some of our contributors. Big thanks to Nate Runkel, Drew Harris, Phillip reese, and John Vettese for sending messages this year, and thanks to all the contributors at 25 O'Clock in 2025. We couldn't make this happen without everyone involved. Enjoy the ever-standard clickable playlist below, and have great holiday and a happy new year.
info_outlineDan sits down with Philadelphia music community icon and long-standing champion Derek Dorsey. He's booked and promoted thousands of shows at The Fire, Underground Arts, The Blockley, and Electric Factory, if you played in Philadelphia in the last 25 years, you worked with Derek at some point.
In Part 1, Derek reminisces about growing up in Overbrook, early concerts, his love of music, and his early career as a social worker working with at-risk youth in Philadelphia. In an attempt to raise money via a benefit concert, Derek got his first taste of being part of the business from behind the scenes, and the rest is history. Dan and Derek talk about the Philly music scene in the 90s and early 00s, the bands in Derek's orbit (Town Hall, June Rich, Huffamoose, etc), and how he made his career, even if (according to him) he had no idea what he was doing.
Derek was diagnosed with a very rare version of trigeminal neuralgia, a neurological disease that attacks the body with sharp, sudden bursts of pain. It has been treatable to varying degrees of success, but the illness is chronic and incurable. Derek and friends started a foundation called 'We Live On', which helps Derek and his family, as well as provides assistance and resources to others who are going through similar situations. They host benefit concerts, including two upcoming ones, both at Ardmore Music Hall: Sunday, March 30th with Mason Porter, Frog Holler and Travel Lanes, and on Saturday, May 3rd, We Live On presents The Soul Of Quincy Jones: York Street Hustle and Special Guests. Go to the AMH website for all your event and ticket information.