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.

Roberta Faceplant 07/23/2024

Roberta Faceplant Dan first talked to Katie Feeney, aka , back in April of 2020 as one of his first virtual guests at the start of the pandemic. It was a different time then. Katie came over to the studio in person this time, and the gab starts right off the bat (Dan and Katie are both self-admitted gabbers). Katie talks about the birth of the Roberta Faceplant project and persona, the forming of the current lineup, which features her former You Do You bandmates Drew Parker and Aaron Boczkowski, as well as Nick Anastasi (Honey Butter, Southwork, Fat City Reprise) and Mykk Hoffman (The Funky T, Emily Drinker). The band's , is out July 26th wherever you get digitial music. A quick primer on names and places (lotta names come up in this one): John Faye- former frontman of The Caulfields, Ike, John and Brittany, singer-songwriter, author, and elder statesman of the Philadelphia music community Dave Kiss- Philadelphia promoter going way back, owner of Dave Kiss Presents Ang Bocca- powerhouse Philadelphia singer and songwriter Kara Koser- also powerhouse Philadelphia singer and songwriter, frontwoman of Koser Crystal Engel- co-owner of Moon Rose Vintage, founder of Mamamoon Vintage Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- Philadelphia singer songwriter, touring artist, community leader Todd Mecaughey- engineer and producer at Cambridge Sound Studios, member of Secret American, formerly of the New Connection MilkBoy South Street (formerly Lickety Split)- two-floor venue on South Street in Philadelphia, home of Katie's open mic /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/32209157

Brendan McGeehan 07/16/2024

Brendan McGeehan Dan first heard of back when he interviewed . Brendan talks about growing up on coastal Maryland, gravitating towards the bass at a young age, his journey as a record producer, and his first time solo-outing . With the foundation of the tracks recorded largely in one long session, Brendan pieced together a stellar instrumental LP called , featuring players like Adrian Harpham, Logan Roth, and Will Brown, as well as countless guests. 'New Moon' is out July 18th wherever you get digital music (as well as a vinyl pre-order), and the band will play . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/32071167

Summer 2024 Playlist, Vol. 2 07/09/2024

Summer 2024 Playlist, Vol. 2 As promised, here's another set of Philadelphia music for the summer! Use the clickable playlist below to link up with the artists you love, see them play, check out their records, all of it. There's so much great music coming out this summer, sometime we have to take a sec to take it in. Enjoy! 10. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31961072

Summer Playlist 2024, Vol. 1 07/02/2024

Summer Playlist 2024, Vol. 1 It's playlist time again! So many Philly artists are putitng out new music this summer, so here's just a small selection of what's on offer. See the clickable playlist below for direct links to all the artists you'll hear on this episode. And, as you can imagine, Vol. 1 implies another set coming next week. Dan was sent so much great music, he had to make two whole episodes to hold it all. This week features a set of music from artists, . 10. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31960982

Quincy Stallworth 06/25/2024

Quincy Stallworth Dan has known of Quincy Stallworth for years, especially for Quincy's job running SoFar Sounds concerts in Philadelphia since around 2018. Quincy sits down to talk about his musical upbringing in the Baptist churches of Southwest and North Philadelphia, his early bands, and how he always excelled at the "business" side of being in a group as much as the musical side. Quincy and many others were all abruptly terminated from SoFar last winter, but Quincy already has his next thing going: , an intimate listening room over the bridge in Mount Holly, NJ. Dan and Quincy get into a lot: Bowie, cocaine albums, how to keep something from getting too big, the ups and downs of his SoFar journey, and how you'll always find yourself drawn to driven, creative people no matter what. Check out , as well as , and . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31863782

James Haro 06/18/2024

James Haro came from Los Angeles (San Gabriel to be exact) over 15 years ago and made his home here in Philly. He talks with Dan about growing up in an old mission town, being a "secret songwriter" from age 6, early bands and projects (mostly lost to the depths of MySpace), coming to Drexel for college, and why he never wanted to leave. James began his current project, , during the early pandemic times, writing and recording out of (you guessed it) a storage unit. He's since released singles, put on a one-man show for Fringe/Canonball Fest in 2023, and continues to be active in the community with a . James' newest EP, 'Go Ahead', is out on June 20th and available wherever you get digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31717827

Benjamin Hughes #2 06/11/2024

Benjamin Hughes #2 Dan and Benjamin Hughes of have been friends since about 2011 or so, when their bands played together in New York a few times. Dan holds Ben up as one of his favorite songwriters of all time, and Ben returns to the show for the first time in about six years. Ben talks about the recent Night Windows records, including the most recent 'In Memories' LP, and delves into how the songs came together, the difference with the writing process on the last couple of records, and how he didn't write or do anything musical for nearly half a year during the pandemic. Grief, sadness, small-town life, and how to come out of it are all themes that live large in the Night Windows song book, and Ben gets into all of it. is out now and available wherever you get digital music, and also . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31667887

Chris Kasper 06/04/2024

Chris Kasper Dan has been a fan since he first heard him on WXPN over 15 years ago. Chris sits down to talk about growing up a metalhead drummer, surrounded by a whole family of musicians. From loud drums and Led Zeppelin to discovering bluegrass and Appalachian folk while living in West Virginia, Chris reminisces on moving to Philadelphia almost 20 years ago, meeting peers like Amos Lee, Ben Arnold and Birdie Busch at Dawson Street Pub, playing shows at The Fire, and growing into the Americana singer-songwriter that we all know. Improvisation, uncertainty, working in the moment: these are all things that Chris loves to employ when making records, and his newest is no exception. Chris Kasper's latest LP, 'Sunlight In An Empty Room' is out now, , and . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31570067

Bret Tobias 05/28/2024

Bret Tobias Dan talks with Bret Tobias, formerly of The Bigger Lovers and Moped, now helming . From seeing the Replacements on MTV, discovering House of Love and Philly's own The Wishniaks, it was inevitable that Bret make his life about music. Bret talks about his aversion to being classified in any scene or community, the independent music feeding frenzy of the mid 90s that had being wined and dined by A&R and execs, and the sudden, overnight disappearance of said attention. He takes us through the saga of The Bigger Lovers and the many records and tours alongside some of their heroes (Superchunk, Minus 5, Jonathan Richman, Alex Chilton, etc), and how he's always kept something going musically, no matter what. The Bret Tobias Set put out an absolutely stellar EP last year called , and the band is a who's-who of Philadelphia indie rock, featuring members of A.M. Mills, Photon Band, and The War On Drugs. A new record is on the way this fall, and we're honored to offer a special sneak peak at their upcoming single, "Fait Accompli", due out on June 20th. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31473432

James Everhart (Cosmic Guilt) 05/21/2024

James Everhart (Cosmic Guilt) Dan talks with James Everhart, a man who's been part of a lot of Philadelphia music over the years, about his long tenure amidst bands like Low Cut Connie, Scantron, and his current project, 10-member supergroup . James talks about hitting the road with Low Cut Connie right out of college, and how he had to pull back from the touring life for his own mental health and stability. Dan and James talk about the careful balance that it takes to have a band with 10 members, British psych folk, James' designs for , letting each member put their mark on a song, a close eye on visual aesthetics, and the inspiration for their newest album being . Cosmic Guilt's newest album, 'Palace Of Depression', is out May 31st and wherever you get digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31076238

Todd Mecaughey 05/14/2024

Todd Mecaughey has been part of the Philadelphia music community for a good while, in bands like New Connection and . He's also an engineer and producer at , and has been since its inception. Dan and Todd talk about their love of Phish and the Grateful Dead (and how both bands are pretty dang punk rock), learning the ropes under as a young engineer, watching the upward swing of Secret American fall apart and turning to podcast production for a paycheck during the pandemic, the 'Workaholics' cast and touring as their live FOH tech for their podcast 'This Is Important', and balancing fatherhood and family life with the never ending demands of the music business. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31076113

Judah Kim 05/07/2024

Judah Kim Dan goes in deep with as he talks about growing up "lucky number 7" of 8 siblings, the influence of his older brothers' garage bands, the lack of any Asian American role models in alt rock, studying voice and production at Berkley, sobriety and gratitude, and the burnout that comes with always having to make "content". With a journey that's taken him from Philadelphia to Los Angeles and back again, Judah and Dan discuss the pitfalls of being an independent musician, Judah's interest in mental health as it applies to Koreans, and the weight of insurmountable expectation and ambition that can come from growing up as a Korean American. Judah is part of , featuring a lineup of Asian American/Pacific Islanders bands and artists, including Moonroof, Beau Freres, Alyssa Garcia, and longtime friend of the podcast, John Faye. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31076098

Fire In the Radio 04/30/2024

Fire In the Radio Dan gets Jonathan Miller and Ed Olson of on the line to talk about how the band came together, took a break, came back together even stronger, and their upcoming return home to a Philadelphia stage at in Manayunk. Jon and Ed talked about growing up in the Philly punk and hardcore scene, being influenced by both as a musician and as a friend, growing your songwriting over the years, the trials that come with keeping a band of adults with lives and families together across the country, and how the punk spirit of youth ends up defining how you see the world going forward. Photo by /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/31023813

Eliza Hardy Jones 04/23/2024

Eliza Hardy Jones Dan talks with lifelong Philadlephia musician about everything: early days in with Brandon Beaver, touring and playing with mewithoutyou, Grace Potter, Iron and Wine, and her newest gig as a touring member of The War On Drugs. Eliza tells great stories about DIY touring life, vocal coaching the Philadelphia Eagles, quilting, and how she channeled her grief from a lost pregnancy into her latest LP, 'Pickpocket'. 'Pickpocket' is available wherever you get your digital music, and also as . The War on Drugs return to play in Philadelphia on 9/17 at The Mann with The National and Lucius. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30932078

Nicole Bauza 04/16/2024

Nicole Bauza Dan talks with Nicole Bauza, songwriter and frontwoman of . Nicole talks about growing up as a BMX biker, getting drums at an early age, the quiet joys of farming and gardening, herbs as medicine, , and the ups and downs of keeping a band going amidst family life and general day to day shenanigans. The newest Nervous Nikki LP, 'St Anthony's Fire', is and wherever you get digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30826803

Alex Wash (Granddogs) 04/09/2024

Alex Wash (Granddogs) Dan just met Alex Wash of a month or so ago, and he's already got him on the mic telling his life story. Alex talks about growing up in Lititz, PA (home of Rock Lititz), learning piano via the Suzuki method, living in Nashville and San Antonio in pursuit of the musician life, finding a job at as a piano player, and turning that into his steady day gig. Alex created Granddogs as a way to share his original songwriting, and the band has a new single dropping on 4/14 called "When You Call", available on all digital platforms. Don't miss Inside Hustle, a Philadelphia music industry and networking event this Saturday, 4/13 at REC Philly, brought to you by the Philly Music Fest and WXPN FM. The event features a panel moderated by World Cafe's Raina Douris, and an open house with folk from radio, studios, booking, artist management, record labels and more. The event is free, . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30705198

The Blackburns 04/02/2024

The Blackburns Dan talks with Joel Tannenbaum (, Snow Fairies, Skywriters) and Nick Palmer (, ) about their new project . Nick tells the story of how he thought he was out of the music game until he got a message from Joel (Plow United was a huge band for Nick as a teen) that he was looking for a songwriting partner. Needless to say, Nick was back in, and the two of them quickly wrote a full length record. Joel and Nick talk about the process, what they did and didn't want to do, their mutual Twin Peaks obsessions, and the record as a love letter to their youth and young adult lives spent in small, regional punk scenes. The Blackburns' debut LP is out on April 12th, available on independent label , the group's Bandcamp, and wherever you get your digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30626003

Zoe Lemon 03/26/2024

Zoe Lemon Dan talks with , a trained and seasoned violinist who is fairly new to the singer-songwriter game. Zoe talks about growing up in the rural parts of Chester County, the ups and downs of music school at Temple University, graduating right into the pandemic, van life, and learning to write songs by herself out on the road. Her latest EP, 'Tailspin', is the result of those road-trip songs, which she made with Packie Cronin (/) and Rob Bolz (). She was featured late in 2023 on . From her childhood pet goat bullying her and her siblings, to finding her way as a performer, Zoe brings a brightness and eager spirit to her live show and records, and we're looking forward to what she does in 2024. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30528073

Scott Radway 03/19/2024

Scott Radway Dan goes in deep with about his early musical tastes (all Beatles), going to music school despite his parents advice to the contrary (they had both attended music school), composition, touring with bands, and becoming both an accomplished producer and songwriter on his own (he's currently a member of with wife Gina LC of ). Song cycles, Rush, Beck, the many flavours of psychdelia, begging, becoming a new father, and more. 'Poppies' is the new LP from Scott, it's out March 22nd wherever you get digital music, and . Also, Dan offers up a few words about The Grape Room, a long standing independent music venue in Manayunk, which just announced its closing this last weekend. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30417793

Dave Perry (Athensville) 03/12/2024

Dave Perry (Athensville) Dan talks with Dave Perry about his band , growing to like the weird music your older brother plays when you're young, the many missed connections between him and frontman Matt Taglang (who was on the show ) and their eventual meeting as adults, and choosing a side in the lesser debated "Echo and the Bunnymen vs The Smiths" argument. Dave also talks about their , how it came to be, and how he came to be involved in the movement to help get an innocent man out of prison and back home. The new single is , and you can learn more about . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30319353

Early Spring 2024 Playlist 03/05/2024

Early Spring 2024 Playlist In the aspirationally titled 'Early Spring Playlist' (Dan is anxiously awaiting the change of seasons), here are 12 new tracks from Philadelphia area artists for your listening pleasure. As always, check out the clickable playlist below for links to all the music and ways to support the artists. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30221303

Jeremy Garber (Grind Select) 02/27/2024

Jeremy Garber (Grind Select) Jeremy Garber is the co-founder of , based in Philadelphia that is celebrating it's 10th year this year. Dan and Jeremy talk about how Jeremy found his way into the music world via punk and hardcore on Long Island, being part of the first music business major at Syracuse University, and what it takes to keep a label going for ten years amidst all the tumult and uncertainty in the music industry. Current Philadelphia bands on Grind Select include , , and . You can keep up with all things Grind Select , including new releases, tour dates for artists, merch, and more. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30094058

Kara Koser 02/20/2024

Kara Koser Dan and Kara Koser bond immediately over being fellow loudmouths, and their love of the Norristown Zoo, of all things. Kara talks about growing up and trying to find her place as a singer and performer, getting sober and figuring out how to be a musician again, singing contests, skipping an entire line of the National Anthem during a performance once, and how moving to Manayunk (not her first choice, initially) changed everything. She met the guys who would end up being her band, , at the open mic, and has finally been able to create the music she's had in her head. Their newest EP, appropriately titled , is out . Follow the band on to keep up on all their comings and goings. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/30001828

Sam Rosen 02/13/2024

Sam Rosen Dan sits down with Grammy winning engineer/producer/songwriter to talk about her work in the studio with folk like Jazmine Sullivan, John Legend, Khemist, and Dan's longtime friend . Sam recounts how she got into the engineering chair at , working with a ton of hip hop and r&b projects, her persistence in still making her own music, and the importance of great vocal production. Sam releases , and her latest single "R U OK?" is out now . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/29907303

Brian Walker #3 02/06/2024

Brian Walker #3 Dan is pleased to bring back for his 3rd full length episode (sort of like the SNL "5 Timers Club"). Despite a recent move to the Boston area, Brian is and will always be part of the Philadelphia community. He's been making music as for over a decade, as well as being a sharp commentator on DIY, the state of touring acts, and all things community related. Dan and Brian have a lively conversation about the similarities and differences between the Boston and Philadelphia music worlds, touring, venues, sandwiches, etc. Brian has a new ADWL LP out now, 'A Stranger That You Met Before', and wherever you get your digital music. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/29804993

Lily Enos 01/30/2024

Lily Enos Dan talks to () about growing up in Wildwood, NJ, the loneliness of being a weird, arty kid, watching , and how she ended up picking up a guitar and writing her own songs (she would sing rather than talk to herself). Lily talks about making the music she’s making now through various online collaborations, working with people who are good at what they do, navigating the music business, and always learning how to do it better. “Retaliation”, the newest single by Lily Enos, is available and via . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/29679358

Nate Runkel (Yo That's My Jawn!) 01/23/2024

Nate Runkel (Yo That's My Jawn!) Dan finally sits down with his podcast brother-from-another-mother Nate Runkel, creator, host and producer of Nate tells Dan the story of how the show started, notable guests like Taylor Goldsmth from Dawes, and Ken Marino and David Wain (MTV's The State), but even before that, all his various involvements in the Philadelphia music scene playing shows and hosting open mics. Nate goes into his love of music, but also of making movies and filming skits, and his love of table top RPGs, which led him to his role as producer of the D&D podcast . Dan and Nate talk about their shared experiences working amdist the Philadlephia music community, and some of the collaborations they've done over the years. is available streaming and for download wherever you get your podcasts. /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/29594833

David Uosikkinen 01/16/2024

David Uosikkinen It's our 300th episode! And Dan sits down with Philly music legend David Uosikkinen, drummer for , founder of , and countless other projects. Dave talks about growing up in Levittown, seeing Buddy Rich as a kid, his first drum sets, South Street and the scene in the late 70s and early 80s, and how a one-time session with Eric Bazillian and Rob Hyman in 1980 turned into a 40+ year career (and still going) as The Hooters. Dan and David discuss some of the great Philadelphia musicians that Dave has worked with (), folk like Pete Donnely, Charlie Ingui and his late brother Richie of Soul Survivors, Patty Smyth, and more. It's a non-stop ride, and David's enthusiasm and energy for playing music seems in no way to have slowed with age. Thanks to all the listeners and supporters for helping us get to 300 episodes! /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/29494298

Farewell 2023, Bring On 2024 12/19/2023

Farewell 2023, Bring On 2024 Dan turns again to the always vibrant Philadelphia music community for messages about their year, what wowed them in 2023, and some of their favorite tracks from Philadelphia artists. Featuring dispatches from Helen Leicht, John Vettese, Julia Pratt, Andrea Quinn, Cosmo Baker, Brian Seymour, Jenn Coulter, and Nate Runkel, as wel as their picks of favorite songs that came ouf of Philadelphia this year. And dan even makes his own year end message and one of his picks as well. Use the clickable playlist below to support the artists featured on 2023's year end wrap up. Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and here's to a great 2024. . () . () () . () . () . () . () () /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/29130423

Emily Drinker 12/12/2023

Emily Drinker is one of the hardest working singer-songwriters in Philadelphia, and Dan was delighted to finally get a chance to talk to her. Emily talks about growing up surrounded by music, singing and musical theater, feeling out of her league at Barnard as an undergrad, discovering a capella, taking jazz theory as a vocalist, and how a job as a cruise ship performer made her hone her skills very, very quickly. Dan and Emily dive into how she hit the ground runing when she moved back to the Philadelphia area, writing with a deadline, and how you have to let the rest of your life take priority for a bit. You can find Emily's catalog wherever you get your digital music, including Follow her on the socials at , and on . /episode/index/show/25oclockpod/id/29008258

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