25 O'Clock

Ash and Dan met at a networking thing a while back, and proceeded to play phone/e-mail/Facebook tag for nearly half a year. Ash sat down at the table a couple of months ago, and talked about his troubled youth, his love of music, using music as a means of social activism, and becoming a music lawyer after years and years of playing in bands. Ash is a passionate artist, and a passionate human when it comes to helping other artists feel their way through the complicated music business world. Also, we're supported by West Philly Porch Fest, this Saturday, June 3rd. Go to westphillyporchfest.com for more info.

Owen and Bobby are Driftwood Soldier, a roots-folk duo that is so much more than a simple genre tag. Their music is dark, brooding, and alive with characters and stories that are seemingly out of our realm of experience, but really not that far. Dan has a great time talking with them about their new record, 'Blessings and Blasphemy', and their upcoming West Philadelphia Porch Fest. 

When she's not managing four of the best bands Philly has to offer (including The Districts and The Dove and the Wolf), Marley has been known to stop moving for a second or two. She stops by the show to talk with Dan about working with the bands she truly loves, how there's no magic formula to a band's success, being backstage at the Rolling Stones (she still can't believe that happened), and turning down a more stable career as a publicist for some pretty big names so she can concentrate on being part of the Philadelphia scene. We're brought to you again this week by West Philly Porch Fest, happening Saturday, June 3rd. Go to westphillyporchfest.com for more info.

Dan and Raphael talk about not-music as much as they talk about music. Raph leads a rich and full life outside of fronting/performing as Hezekiah Jones. He loves his garden, he's constantly digging things out of his back yard that the previous homeowner buried there over the decades, and he really likes to listen to Glenn Miller and The Singing Nun. All this and more brings about one of the odder but most enjoyable conversations Dan has had with a guest. Also, we're sponsored by West Philly Porch Fest, happening on June 3rd. Go to westphillyporchfest.com for more info.

Nick and Dan both came from a love of punk rock, and both of them moved outward to embrace many other elements, but still hold true to their origins. They talk about Nick's first real band, Left Behind, and his late teens and early 20s touring with them, the start of The Danger O's, and his new band WAX WAV. Is it possible to write a political song that can also be universal? Do we cry at more things now because we're older, or because the world seems to be going to hell? How scary is it to front a band when you're used to being behind the kit? All these questions and more are answered. 

Dan had to go get some lawn chairs to seat everybody around the desk, but it was all worth it to talk to James, Jake and Samoeun of Ju-Taun. These guys have been singing together since they were kids, and it shows. They talk about their origins: James and Jake working behind the scenes at concerts for their father, a Philadelphia producer and promoter, Samoeun coming to America as a child, escaping the Khmer Rouge with his parents. They detail their beginnings as a band: hustling their CDs and performing to crowds on the street, and running afoul with the law more than once. And that's just the first 20 minutes or so. Capping it all off with a phenomenal performance, Ju-Taun are a force of nature. Also, Dan offers a call for support of Pharmacy, a DIY Philly venue and coffee shop that needs your help to keep doing their great work. 

Sonja and Dan talk about her new record, 'Patterns We Know', and so much more. PJ Harvey, Kim Gordon, how Bob Dylan could benefit from an editor, their love of the Philadelphia music scene, and how when you hang around long enough, you end up meeting everyone you need to. Dan confesses what a bad podcast listener he is, and they discuss the difference between engaging with a work as a creator or as a fan, their many mutual friends, and are bonded by their love for the heady arrangements of Steely Dan. 

When two friends start a studio, that's big. When that studio lasts 10 years, that's bigger. And when they start a charity-based record label, that's even bigger. Matt and Mike have been friends since they were kids, have run a business together for a decade, and are now launching The Giving Groove, their new Philly based record label. Dan talks with them about their own Sine Studio, their roles in the Philly music scene, the secret to staying friends while also owning a business together, early "advice" from acclaimed producer Obie O'Brien, their time at boarding school together, and they announce the first crop of artists on their label (spoiler: all three are a big deal).

Jonas is a regular Philly music man about town. He hosts Fergie's open mic, drums for Purples, tours with Work Drugs, DJs, runs sound, and on and on. Dan and Jonas talk many of Jonas' projects, their time in the restaurant industry, and the joys of doing a lot of different things to not only keep busy, but to keep interested. 

Josh and Dan go through the list of their favorite Philly venues, talk about how to make a live show fun for everyone, nerd out about Beck's 'Odelay', and highlight some of the projects Josh is engineering and producing at Hi5 Studios. They also talk about his upcoming tour as drummer for Philly mainstays The Lawsuits, and how they never do a record the same way twice.