25 O'Clock

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.

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.

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.

Dan's at it again with a whole new playlist of Philadelphia music to kick off the summer season. Enjoy the playlist below, all with links to the artists and where to buy their music. Support the community, support the great music of Philadelphia!

1) Ron & the Hip Tones- Do What I Wanna Do

2) Reese Florence- Digital Dissociation

3) Taylor Kelly- Black Hole Sun (live)- Live In Philly

4) cave people- Echo

5) XIXIX- Kansas

6) XIXIX- Tacoma

7) Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- Almost Ready To Be Friends

8) Erin Fox- Down Luck- For Your Loss

9) Brother Of Monday- Stacking Apples- Brother Of Monday

10) Greg Mendez- Best Behavior- Greg Mendez

11) Moustapha Noumbisi- Heaven

12) Rover Rover- Whatever You Want- Things On Fire

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.