25 O'Clock

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. Autumn Luz- Bone Marrow

2. Humilitarian- Midnight (acoustic)

3. Somebody Like You- Acquaintances

4. Nervous Nikki and the Chill Pills- Limits

5.  Longfriend Timefriend- A Praise Chorus- Are You Listening?: A Tribute To Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American

6. Booze Radley- Sweetness- Are You Listening?: A Tribute To Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American

7. Dave Cope and the Sass- Hidden From The World- Hidden From The World

8. Ron and the Hip Tones- Tear On my Chin

9. Granddogs- When You Call

10. James Haro In Storage- Verses

11. Party Nerves- Going To Hell On A Technicality

12. Clover- Beach In the Rain

Jeremy Garber is the co-founder of Grind Select, an independent record label 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 Pine Barons, Son Step, and Grocer. You can keep up with all things Grind Select over at their site, including new releases, tour dates for artists, merch, and more.

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, Koser, at the Grape Street Pub open mic, and has finally been able to create the music she's had in her head. Their newest EP, appropriately titled 'loudmouth soup', is out wherever you get digital music. Follow the band on their mailing list to keep up on all their comings and goings.

Photo by Runamok Images

Dan sits down with Grammy winning engineer/producer/songwriter Sam Rosen to talk about her work in the studio with folk like Jazmine Sullivan, John Legend, Khemist, and Dan's longtime friend Alec Stewart's Lucky Rabbit project. Sam recounts how she got into the engineering chair at MilkBoy The Studio, 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 her original music as Samryebread, and her latest single "R U OK?" is out now wherever you get digital music.  

Dan is pleased to bring Brian Walker 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 A Day Without Love 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', available on Ur Mom Records and wherever you get your digital music. 

Photo by Bill Streicher

Dan talks to Lily Enos (Winding Way Records) about growing up in Wildwood, NJ, the loneliness of being a weird, arty kid, watching her dad play in bands, 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 wherever you get digital music and via Winding Way Records.

Dan finally sits down with his podcast brother-from-another-mother Nate Runkel, creator, host and producer of Yo That's My Jawn! 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 Oops, All Bards. 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. Yo That's My Jawn! is available streaming and for download wherever you get your podcasts.

It's our 300th episode! And Dan sits down with Philly music legend David Uosikkinen, drummer for The Hooters, founder of In the Pocket, 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 (In the Pocket is a huge "who's-who"), 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!

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.

1) Dear Forbidden- Freaks

2) Night Windows- Something Simple

3) Amos Lee- Greenville. (Helen Leicht)

4) Slaughter Beach, Dog- Float Away. (John Vettese)

5) Daphne Ellen- Old Money  (Julia Pratt)

6) Sweet Pill- Chewed Up. (Andrea Quinn)

7) Reef The Lost Cause- Umar’s Revenge. (Cosmo Baker)

8) Jamie and the Guarded Heart- Shake. (Brian Seymour)

9) The Hirs Collective- Unicorn Tapestry Woven In Fire. (Jenn Coulter)

10) Speedy Ortiz- You S02  (Nate Runkel)

11) Tubey Frank- Some Beat Revival

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 her latest single, "5th Ave". Follow her on the socials at @emilydrinker, and on her YouTube.

Photo by Will Drinker

Dan sits down with Paddy McCann and Eric Cooper (remember Coop from #183?) to talk about their band, Muskrat Flats. Paddy talks about the band forming as a recording project with his brother Matt, and the new lineup of the group, including Eric joining just a year ago. Jams, improv, touring, pedal nerdery, an amount of Phish talk (obviously), and the importance of hitting those smaller markets as a gorwing regional band, it's all in there. Go to Muskrat Flat's Bandcamp for a vareity of live recordings, the band is currently finishing up an LP coming out in January 2024. 

Dan and Ang Bocca have been meaning to make this conversation happen since 2021, and now it has arrived. Ang sits down in the studio, just a few blocks from where she grew up, and talks about coming up as a South Philly native, forays into music, ice skating, Broadway, dance, and being drawn to sing and write songs from a young age. Ang has been part of the Philly music community for over 15 years, put together multiple bands and projects, and gets the badge of a true lifer. Her newest material with producer Michael Anticoli is some of the strongest yet. Her newest single, "Klown", is availale wherever you get digital music, as will be her upcoming holiday-themed single, "Drunk In New Jersey", available everywhere December 11th. 

Dan talks to Dina Layzis and Artem Tenkeli (Dina and Artem when they're playing together) about their duo, and how they came together. Dina is from the Ukraine, and came here as a young child. Artem studied classical piano in Russia and just got to the US a couple of years ago. The two found each other on Instagram, and struck up a friendship and eventual musical partnership. Dina and Artem talk about how they write together, their performances, meeting people in the Philadelphia music community, and their plans for the future. Their music is streaming wherever you get digital music, follow them on IG to keep up with all things Dina and Artem. 

Dan last talked to Rob Tait back in 2018, when he was drumming for the jam-organ-combo Hambone Relay. It's been almost 5 years, and things have changed. Hambone Relay is no more, Rob has drummed for countless Philadelphia artists, and when the pandemic hit, he pivoted to writing and performing his own music. Rob has been releasing singles since the summer, and we talk about the transition, the change in how he works on music, recording the tunes at Retro City, and how you have to just not look at the numbers most of the time. Rob's two latest singles, "Matilda" and "Space Fire", are out now and available wherever you get digital music. Rob also hosts his own podcast, 'Let's Take A Spin', which features music picks and conversations with Philadelphia artists and musicians, and is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Dan sits down with Fishtown-by-way-of-Bethlehem frontman Tye Vallone of The Groove Merchants. Tye talks about growing up amidst his father's bands rehearsing in the garage, watching the same John Mayer concert on cable over and over, moving from drums to guitar, and how The Groove Merchants took a possible problem and turned it into a band when they all first met. "Real Estate" is the newest single from The Groove Merchants (recorded at Miner Street in Philadelphia), and it's available wherever you get your digital music. 

Dan is back from a few weeks in Japan, and with him comes stories, memories, a new found love of seaweed related snacks, and this playlist episode. Featuring 15 recently released tracks from Philadelphia musicians, please enjoy just a taste of all the great talent here is in this city. Please see the clickable playlist below, which allows you to link up instantly with any and all of the artists played in this episode. Check out their music, see when they're playing, and buy their records. Support the Philadelphia community if you are able, any support is greatly appreciated by the artists. 

Note: While we are aware of and incredibly concerned about the issues surrounding the recent Bandcamp sale and massive layoffs (many friends and listeners of the show were employees who lost their jobs, and we wish them new and better opportunities as quickly as possible), we still feel the platform is currently one of the best ways to put the most money via online sales into the pockets of independent artists. We will continue to steer you towards an artist's Bandcamp page until we deem it no longer fair or equitable for the artist. Currently, artists are still being paid from their Bandcamp sales in the same manner and scale as before the recent sale of the company. We will continue to stay informed on the situation, and will adjust our position when and if events warrant. 

1. Rob Rapp- Nobody Knows (Where Rosemary Goes)- Meanwhile in Collegeville

2. The Ridge Runners- Whatever You Say- single

3. Zoe Lemon- Kurt Vonnegut would love you- Tailspin EP

4. the life in you- I’ll Find You- A Dream About Leaving

5. Bright kelly- hellogoodmorning- Funeral Tickets

6. The Fractals- Bullseye- single

7. Jackson Pines- Hammer- single

8. A Day Without Love- Storyteller- A Stranger That You Met Before

9. Unlucky Mammals- 600 Billionaires- Fiddling In The Undertow

10. The Bret Tobias Set- It Never Hurts (But You Get Fast)- Pleaser, Vol. 1

11. Justin Kerecz- Been Cryin’- single

12. Jeremiah Tall- Baptism- single

13. Dave Cope and the Sass- Les Jardins Gris- Songs Of Sea and Skye

14. Joe Kenny and The Seas Tease- Breathe and Be Still- single

15. Lia Menaker- Wavesss- single

Frank Brown fronted one of the best Philadelphia bands of the 90s, Flight Of Mavis. When the touring life (which featured opening for the late Sinead O'Connor amidst her rise to stardom) couldn't pay the bills, Frank put the band to bed, and started Buzz Zeemer, which was never intended to have any ambition at all. Flash forward to 2023, and Pat Feeney at Main Street Music in Manayunk put out a full length record of Buzz Zeemer material that was recorded back in the mid 90s called 'Lost And Found'. Frank talks to Dan about the Philly music scene back in the day, what he's been up to for almost 25 years, and the joy of his music connecting with people so long after the fact. 'Lost and Found' is available wherever you get digital music, and on vinyl at Main Street Music.

Matt Nestor, drummer of Apple Juice Jones, reached out to Dan a bit ago to tell him the story of the band and the tragic loss of their frontman, Teddy Kradzinski. Dan was moved by the story, so he invited Matt and bassist Mike Bennett over to talk about it all. Matt and Mike talk about the early days of the band, living in a house together during the pandemic and practicing and playing for hours every day, Teddy's incredibly prolific catalog, losing him suddenly, and how they decided to not only keep the band going, but to continue to ressurect a mountain of material featuring Teddy's voice and guitar. With the help of Michael Cumming and Logan Roth at Treacle Mine Studios, they were able to put out 'Angel Number 77', and the story of how it came to be is amazing. Apple Juice Jones have new singles out now, as well as live recordings, all at their Bandcamp. 

Dan has been a fan of Moustapha Noumbissi ever since he first heard him on WXPN's Philly Local show. Moustapha talks with Dan about growing up in Belgium, the culture shock of switching to an American school in Upper Darby when he was 7,  playing college basketball, always being fascinated by guitar and songwriting, and how a One Direction concert that he was forced to take his sister to changed his life forever. He praises his producer Lee Clarke, his band, and the Philly music community for helping him on this amazing path he's on. Moustapha's latest single, "Heaven", is available wherever you get digital music. He'll be part of Philly Music Fest, which is all week this week around town. Go to Philly Music Fest's website for all the info about this week long fest. 

Photo credit: John Vettese

With Philly Music Fest nearly upon us, Dan talks with Samantha Gongol and Jeremy Lloyd of Marian Hill in lieu of their PMF performance on 10/11 at World Cafe Live. Sam and Jeremy talk about meeting in middle school, turning a one-time collaboration into a decade-long group, their early opportunities, the role that MP3 blogs played in their early success, and where they're headed these days. Philly Music Fest is October 9-15, at multiple venues throughout Philadelphia, go to their site for ticket info, lineup, scheduling, and all the organizations that benefit from this fully non-profit music fest.