25 O'Clock

At the end of February, Brett Kull and JD Beck of Rise Twain came over to talk and play. It was a great time then, and going back and listening in lieu of releasing it, it was a great time to just hear it again. Brett and JD talk about their new record, working together on and off for a decade or so, their particular approaches to writing and performing, and how they challenge and impress each other on a regular basis. 

Some of you were there, some of you missed it. So here's the live stream radio show Dan did on 4.4.20, live from the underground lair of 25 O'Clock. It features music from You Do You, King Pine, Martronimous, Forest Kids Collective, Dear Forbidden, John Morrison, and more. Also featured: all the fun and games of doing a live broadcast. Enjoy the show, it was a blast to do. Go to 25oclockpod.com for the full track list, and to sign up for the mailing list to find out about the next ones. 

Brendan Johnson and Katie O'Donnell of Stella Ruze were the last people to sit down with Dan in the studio before the pandemic was declared. It was also an evening of massive equipment shenanigans, which does not diminish the conversation in any way, but rather makes for a better story. Brendan and Katie talk about the band's new record, 'The Greater Dog' (recorded at Miner Street Studios with Matt Poirier and Brian McTear), becoming a better live band, their very musical upbringings, and all the groups in Philly that they love. 

Upholstery members Jeremy Prouty and Kate Black-Regan came by to talk with Dan about the intersection of the Philly theater and music scenes, making their own puppets, costume changes, and the unique process they go through to make their very unique sound. 

In the gripping conclusion of Dan and Jesse's conversation (which starts with the sentence "Ok, so where were we?"), Jesse details the end of days for The Point, and the growing of Point Entertainment, and their relationship with venues like the Keswick Theater, Ardmore Music Hall, and Locks at SONA. Jesse even talks a bit about his musical project with Hannah Taylor, and how he doesn't like to use his job as a promoter to get special treatment as a musician (unless it's to open for Delbert McClinton). 

Jesse Lundy (Point Entertainment) has been part of the Philadelphia scene for 25 plus years, promoting concerts, booking, running the late Ardmore venue The Point for 8 years, and helping grow Philly artists like John Francis and The Brakes. Dan and Jesse talk about how he got into concerts, guitar, the blues, and how the music business is both horrible and wonderful all at the same time. Enjoy Part 1, Part 2 comes your way next week.

Dan met Lauren at a house show last fall, and was instantly taken with how unique her playing, songwriting, and guitar tone were. Lauren came over to chat about her travels about the country, the many instruments she plays besides guitar, how she honed in on her sound, the newness of recording her material for the first time, and her early love of Stanley Clarke and musicals.

Making the trek from Lebanon, PA, Alex talks with Dan about growing up with a guitar virtuoso dad (and overcoming a fear of touching peoples' guitars), making his own music and records at home, starting his podcast to keep him from becoming an antisocial hermit, and his collective record label, Try Less Club. They also try their best not to name check major corporations for free, and fail completely.

Dan sits down with Mark Brown and Rob Tait of Hambone Relay for a conversation about DIY touring, playing 2+ hour shows, how to "jams", and the things they don't teach you in music school. They have a Philly music-centric podcast, too, called 'Dude, Check This Out!'. Hambone Relay are a Philly based instrumental organ-led combo, with strong influences from bands like Soulive and Medeski, Martin, and Wood. They have a new LP out called 'Say Hi To Earl', available on their website and anywhere you get digital music.

Dan revisits some outstanding music from this year. From Philadelphia, and a few Philly-adjacent artists, it's a compilation of just a small sampling of some of the killer releases that have been put out this year. Enjoy music from A Day Without Love, Elaine Rasnake, Forest Kids Collective, Dave Cope and the Sass, and many more. Go to 25oclockpod.com for the full track list and links to the artists. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays from 25 O'Clock. Here's to another great year.