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.

Nero Catalano 06/06/2023

Nero Catalano Dan talks with 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 , hosting open mics at , 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 , or wherever you get your digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/27037425

Aaron Parnell Brown 05/30/2023

Aaron Parnell Brown Dan talk with Aaron Parnell Brown about his band, , as well as his previous project, , and . 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 ). The Right Fiction's new LP, 'Golden Apple' is out everywhere you get digital music on Friday, June 2nd. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26938326

Cosmo Baker 05/23/2023

Cosmo Baker Dan talks to Philadelphia DJ 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 , and /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26914566

Cabin Dogs 05/16/2023

Cabin Dogs Dan talks with Rich and Rob Kwait of , 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 . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26842500

Bright Kelly 05/09/2023

Bright Kelly Dan talks to about growing up in South Philadelphia, going to school at (GAMP for short), singing, high school bands, writing, poetry, , finally coming around on Tom Petty, favorite songwriters, and that's not even the half of it. Bright's latest EP, is out now wherever you get digital music. He also just released a collection of covers called , containing covers that were previously only available to his Patreon supporters. Speaking of which! 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). /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26775999

E.J. Simpson 05/02/2023

E.J. Simpson Dan talks with 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 , 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. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26684670

Dave Hause 04/23/2023

Dave Hause Dan talks to long-time punk rock musician and songwriter 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 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, . Dave's newest LP, 'Drive It Like It's Stolen', is out April 28th , , and . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26624007

Crossed Keys 04/24/2023

Crossed Keys Dan talks to 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 , and their upcoming LP, 'Believes In You', just in time for the . 'Belives In You' is out May 5th, and available at , , , and wherever you get digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26623896

John Faye #2 04/18/2023

John Faye #2 , 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 , 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, , 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 . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26544048

Spring '23 Music Playlist 04/11/2023

Spring '23 Music Playlist 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 . And, since most of the band links are for their Bandcamp pages, you can support the unionization efforts over at Bandcamp by checking out . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26491278

Small Graves 04/04/2023

Small Graves Dan sits down with old friends Jayson Verdibello and Eric Zrinsky to talk about their newest project, . 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, . Their forthcoming EP, 'irregular' (recorded at with Kyle Pulley) will be out later this year. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26429226

Joey Sweeney 03/28/2023

Joey Sweeney Dan talks with long-time Philadelphia musician, writer, mover, and shaker about all the "low-key Philly" things he's been involved in. The two talk about Joey's famous (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 in Old City, his monthly vareity show residency at , and , which he's been writing and performing since the early 90s. His newest release, asJoey Sweeney and the Neon Grease, is the , available now wherever you get digital music and on . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26310672

IVA 03/21/2023

IVA Dan talks with Wilmington, DE native 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 , produced at by Philadelphia all-star . 'Nobody's Woman' is out now, and is available wherever you get digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26273316

Tim Hause 03/14/2023

Tim Hause Dan talks with about growing up in Roxborough, writing music his older brother, , playing with The Bouncing Souls when he was just 10 years old, running a record label, his debut solo LP, working with in Nashville, and the ups and downs of touring life. , is out now on . Tim and Dave have teamed up with to bring the to the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia from May 5th-6th, featuring Drive By Truckers, Kathleen Edwards, The Tisburys, Catbite, and many more. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26203314

Scarlet Hernandez 03/07/2023

Scarlet Hernandez Dan and 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 , 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 , and her role as the membership director at . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26085195

Lisa Schaffer 02/28/2023

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 , and to find out where she's spinning next. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/26056974

Autumn Luz 02/21/2023

Autumn Luz Dan talks with about "starting late" as a musician, using the pandemic as a jumping off point where she gave herself permission to make music, her love of ballet and dance, working with Philly producer and bassist , and finding , who joins us in the conversation. We talk dark, moody vibes, digital collaboration, and the joy of finally putting it all together in person. Autumn has two singles out curently with videos, and , and wherever you get digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25956348

Rumi Kitchen (Michael Baker) 02/14/2023

Rumi Kitchen (Michael Baker) Dan talks with , aka Michael Baker, and it's a conversation that's been meaning to happen for a long time. Michael talks about growing up in Kentucky, touring in Moscow in his previous band, , being given the character of Rumi Kitchen as a way to explore being a frontman in a different way, his current band , , and his newest collaboaration with on an EP called 'Cosmic Trilogy'. The , with all the profits going to Rock To The Future. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25904082

Jon Houlon 02/07/2023

Jon Houlon We're back! It's been a useful and productive month off, and we're back to bring you all the Philadelphia music goodness we can. This week, Dan talks with Jon Houlon of and The Donuts. Dan and Jon discuss the new John Train LP, and it's ties to the Philadelphia horseback riding community, (every Friday from now til March 31st), a mutual love for guys like Tommy Keane and Elvis Costello, and how to make your bands last for 20+ years. Jon plays a couple of tunes live in the studio, an element of this show we're excited to see return. 'Cowboy Dreams' is available wherever you get digital music, and you can score a copy of the vinyl release from as well as select record stores in the Philadelphia area. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25847841

Farewell 2022, Hello 2023 01/01/2023

Farewell 2022, Hello 2023 Dan gets by with a little help from his friends in the Philadelphia music community, and we hear from a handful of artists about their favorite things of 2022, as well as things they're looking forward to in 2023. Lots of great picks from , , , , , and . Head over to and click on this week's episode post, you'll find the clickable playlist there with links to all the music played on the show this week. Thanks to everyone who helped make this episode happen, and Happy New Year to you all! /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25457106

Girls Rock Philly (GRP) w. Evan Thornburg 12/27/2022

Girls Rock Philly (GRP) w. Evan Thornburg Dan talks with Evan Thornburg, current leader of the board, and long time activist and public health advocate in Philadelphia. Evan talks about her path into activism and non-profits, years of AIDS activism through the mayor's office, youth advocacy at , and how GRP came back into her life a decade after she first encountered them. From to working on a lengthy rebrand of the organization, Evan gets into how 2022 was a banner year for the non-profit. GRP is a youth centered organization building community through music, go to girlsrockphilly.com for more info on their mission, future programs, . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25432866

Charlie Hall ('A Philly Special Christmas') 12/20/2022

Charlie Hall ('A Philly Special Christmas') Dan talks with drummer Charlie Hall about his part in producing , an album of Christmas songs performed by Philadelphia Eagles' players Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson, as well as a giant cast of Philly musicians (Marshall Allen, Eric Bazillian, Lady Alma, and so many more). Charlie talks about how it all came together, the importance of being 'coachable', the amount of effort that the players put into making the record, and his own background in working with non-profit organizations in Philadelphia. 'A Philly Special Christmas' will be available on 12/23 , and all procedes, including the thrice-sold-out vinyl presale, will go to the . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25372380

Rock To The Future (Josh and Jessica Craft) 12/13/2022

Rock To The Future (Josh and Jessica Craft) has come up many times on the show, but this is the first time it's founders have been on. Dan talks with Josh and Jessica Craft, who started RTTF twelve years ago, and have taken it places they never would have imagined. Josh and Jess talk about the growth of the non-profit over the years, how the pandemic made them able to serve even more students than before, the odd jobs they had during the first few years to keep everything afloat, and how music education is just the tip of what they offer to their students and their families. and help RTTF continue to bring music programs to Philadlephia schools. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25287369

Sean Timmons 12/06/2022

Sean Timmons Dan and Sean have both been highlighting Philadelphia artists for years. Sean shares his story of travelling to the US from Dublin for a summer job at in the late 80s, and deciding to stick around (Sean calls it "the longest summer of my life"). From his days creating and booking the to artist management and talent buying, to founding this year, Sean has also involved himself in Philly non-profits like , , and more. Dan and Sean talk about the importance of the community, or "ecosystem", as Sean calls it, and how you have to give back if you want to be part of it all. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25209927

Greg Mervine 11/29/2022

Greg Mervine Dan talks with founder/percussionist/activist/community leader Greg Mervine about the history of the Balkan brass group, living in Brasil, , fatherhood, punk rock ethos, jazz nights at Ortlieb's and Fiume, and his current collaboration with Michael Baker (aka Rumi Kitchen of , ) on their new 'Cosmic Trilogy' EP. The first single, "Cosmic Freak", is out now , with all proceeds going to . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25148325

Sarah Dia Rue 11/22/2022

Sarah Dia Rue Dan talks with about her solo work, her band with her partner Justin King, the New Energy Music Collective non-profit they started, , how her solo music has changed over time, quitting the day job and going back to school for music, and much more. Sarah's latest single 'Say', featuring George 'Spanky' McCurdy and Nicholas Semrad, is available now wherever you get digital music, as is Twin Sines' 'Man Down' LP. The live version of 'Man Down', entitled 'Man Up @ World Cafe Live' is available to . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25089543

Jason McGovern 11/15/2022

Jason McGovern Dan talks with Jason McGovern about his band, , and the newest LP, 'Ghosts In the Rearview'. They get into the process of making the record, coming out of your self-induced social hibernation, the balance of synths and acoustic instruments, playing keys for , and more. 'Ghosts In The Rearview' is out now, and available everywhere you get digital music, including at . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/25001061

Fall '22 Music Playlist, Part 2 11/01/2022

Fall '22 Music Playlist, Part 2 Dan is back from vacation with another playlist episode, featuring great Philadelphia artists like Shannen Moser, Ron Gallo, Kate Dressed Up, Jackson Pines, and more. Head over to for a clickable playlist of all the tracks and artists you hear, and go suport them! /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/24856905

Fall '22 Music Playlist, Part 1 10/25/2022

Fall '22 Music Playlist, Part 1 Dan takes a moment to highlight a handful of great tracks from Philadelphia artists on this playlist episode. Featuring music from bands like Hauntress, gladie, The Describers, Unluck Mammals, and more. Head over to and click on the episode post for a clickable playlist, linking you to every band played on the show. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/24764991

Laura Lizcano #2 10/18/2022

Laura Lizcano #2 Dan talks to Laura again ( for the first time she was on back in Fall 2020), and she's been up to a lot since they last chatted. They talk about her new album, 'Daughter Of The Sea', her work with the and , splitting her time between Philly and New York, her (directed by ), cultural identity, learning to love yourself, and the term Laura coins: "Lizzo-big-dress-energy". 'Daughter Of the Sea' is out now and available wherever you get digital music, . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/24703479

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