25 O'Clock

Dan talks with Autumn Luz 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 Sam Rosen and bassist Mitch Beer, and finding her collaborator, Sam Esquith, 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, "Heat" and "Speed", available at her website and wherever you get digital music. 

Dan talks with Rumi Kitchen, 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, The Spinning Leaves, being given the character of Rumi Kitchen as a way to explore being a frontman in a different way, his current band OOLALA, Johnny Showcase, and his newest collaboaration with West Philadlephia Orchestra on an EP called 'Cosmic Trilogy'. The EP is available via Giving Groove records, with all the profits going to Rock To The Future. 

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 John Train and The Donuts. Dan and Jon discuss the new John Train LP, 'Cowboy Dreams' and it's ties to the Philadelphia horseback riding community, John Train's residency at Fergie's Pub (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 John Train's website, as well as select record stores in the Philadelphia area.

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 Jesse Lundy, John Faye, Avataria, Tyler Asay, Ryan Young, and Brian McTear. Head over to 25oclockpod.com 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!

Dan talks with Evan Thornburg, current leader of the GRP (Girls Rock Philly) 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 The Attic Youth Center, and how GRP came back into her life a decade after she first encountered them. From summer rock camp 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, and how to donate. 

Dan talks with The War On Drugs drummer Charlie Hall about his part in producing 'A Philly Special Christmas', 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 on all digital music platforms, and all procedes, including the thrice-sold-out vinyl presale, will go to the Children's Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia. 

Rock To The Future 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. Donate now at their website and help RTTF continue to bring music programs to Philadlephia schools. 

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 Appel Farm Arts and Music Center 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 Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival to artist management and talent buying, to founding Addison Artists this year, Sean has also involved himself in Philly non-profits like PhillyCam, iCreate, 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. 

Dan talks with West Philadelphia Orchestra founder/percussionist/activist/community leader Greg Mervine about the history of the Balkan brass group, living in Brasil, his "secret" solo album from 2018, fatherhood, punk rock ethos, jazz nights at Ortlieb's and Fiume, and his current collaboration with Michael Baker (aka Rumi Kitchen of Johnny Showcase, OOLALA) on their new 'Cosmic Trilogy' EP. The first single, "Cosmic Freak", is out now via The Giving Groove Records, with all proceeds going to Rock To The Future. 

Dan talks with Sarah Dia Rue about her solo work, her band Twin Sines with her partner Justin King, the New Energy Music Collective non-profit they started, making her own video, 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 download free at Twin Sines' website.