25 O'Clock
Music
About
Philadelphia's longest running music podcast (we think), with your host, Dan Drago. Conversations with artists and community, intimate musical performances, in-depth discussions on performing, touring, recording, and being alive.
Episodes
- May 2026 Playlist
We've got 12 new tracks from Philadelphia artists for your listening enjoyment. Highlights include new music from Keaton Thandi, Lovecartel, JULITH, Squiggler, and so much more. Check out the clickable playlist below, and support the artis…
- Máty Rodriguez
John talks with Máty Rodriguez about growing up in New Jersey, her early days playing DIY shows, embracing all styles of music, her love of Sza, and how playing "Patience" by Guns N Roses will bring the house down every time. Máty shares t…
- Cliff Hillis
Cliff Hillis has spent a lot of his musical career saying "yes" and then figuring it out. Dan talks to Cliff about all his roles in music: songwriter and singer, cowriter, guitar tech, touring musician, collaborator, and so much more. Clif…
- March 2026 Playlist
We've got eleven new tracks for you from Philadelphia artists, and there's always a little something for everyone. Check out the clickable playlist below, it'll take you to each artist's website/social media/etc, and you can support the mu…
- Maxwell Stern
John talks with Maxwell Stern about growing up in Cleveland, the midwest punk scenes he began playing music in, moving to Philadelphia and finding a whole new community there, songwriting, and his love of The Clash (among many others). Max…
- February 2026 Playlist
We've got thirteen new tracks for your ears this month. If you're a band or artist in the greater Philadelphia area, send your music to dan.drago@25oclockpod.com , we're always happy to hear what's coming out. Check out the clickable playl…
- Sara Johnson
Sara Johnson is often known by her solo project Stone Cold Grace , under which she has been putting out music for quite. John Vettese sits down with Sara in her home to talk about her love of Jeff Buckley, her guitar playing journey, how t…
- January 2026 Playlist
It's the first playlist episode fo 2026, and we are coming in strong. Lots of great Philadelphia artists have music coming out in the first few months of this year, and this is just a small sampling of what's out there. As always, click th…
- Andrew Harris #2
Andrew Harris fronts The Naked Sun , a band that's been part of the Philadelphia community for over a decade. And when Dan hit him with the word "decade", Drew is still trying to wrap his head around it. Drew talks about the nearly three y…
- 2025 Year End Episode
2025 is closing out, and we're taking a look at music that we loved from the year, as well as sharing holiday and year-end messages from some of our contributors. Big thanks to Nate Runkel, Drew Harris, Phillip reese, and John Vettese for…
- The Maks
The Maks are a trio of veteran Philadelphia musicians who were just starting to maybe think about being a band when they ended up as the opener on a sold out show, and everything just took off from there. Long standing supporter of the pod…
- Larry Magid
Philadelphia music has a rich and long history, spanning every style imaginable, from jazz and soul to art rock to opera to doo wop and everything else. And who better to helm a book about the city's extensive music offerings than Electric…
- November 2025 Playlist
After a few weeks break, we're back with another playlist episode. Enjoy these new tracks from Philadelphia artists, and remember to check out the clickable playlist below. Go support the bands and artists you love! Cadre Noir- Beach Dance…
- KulfiGirls
It's Philly Music Fest, and we wanted to highlight one more artist playing the fest this year. KulfiGirls are Abi, Joan, Adesole, and Stephanie, and they are all on the show. Nate Runkel of Yo That's My Jawn is sitting in the host chair th…
- Adam Shumski
John and Paige have a truly career spanning chat with Adam Shumski , drummer in Philadelphia bands like Planette Automatic (formerly The Lunar Year), and Brittany Ann Tranbaugh , as well as the newest addition to the New York based group B…
- September 2025 Playlist
September is almost gone, and autumn is nearly in full swing (at least in some places), and Philadlephia artists are putting out amazing music, as is to be expected. Dan presents you with 12 tracks from Philadlephia artists, so make sure y…
- Grace Vonderkuhn
John and Paige are back, and they're sitting down with Grace Koon of Grace Vonderkuhn . Grace talks about the music community in Wilmington, Delaware, and how being even just a little outside of the greater Philadlephia area can change the…
- August 2025 Playlist
Back at it again with another playlist, featuring 11 tracks of new music from Philadelphia's finest artists. As always, check out the clickable playlist below, and go support the bands and artists you like. 1. Abi Reimold- High Tide 2. Jar…
- Blue Barnett (w. Judah Kim)
Welcome our newest guest host, Judah Kim ! Judah talks with Blue Barnett of Best Bear , and it's a very open and honest conversation about all the things that go into being an independent musician, a songwriter, and an anxious human. Blue…
- July 2025 Playlist
July brings us 10 new tracks from Philadelphia artists. Be sure to check out the clickable playlist below and support the ones you like. In the meantime, Dan will let you know about shows, upcoing events, and how he survived a T10 typhoon…
- The Flying Vees (w. Phillip Reese of Your Next Favorite Band)
Dan shares a conversation between The Flying Vees and Phillip Reese of Your Next Favorite Band . Originally airing back in April, the band members Brechyn Chase, Shannon Vasile, Caitlin Ramsey, and Hannah Taylor talk about how they all met…
- June 2025 Playlist
Here are another handful of new tracks from Philadelphia artists for your listening pleasure. As always, check out the clickable playlist below, and support the artists. There's a set of tunes in there that are all bands playing the Jam Fo…
- Sweet Juice Fest
Sweet Juice Fest has been featured on this show since its inception in 2022, and this is the first year we get an in depth look at not just some of the artists that are playing, but the foundation and philosophy of the festival itself. Joh…
- May 2025 Playlist
As promised, here's the playlist episode for the month of May, just under the wire. Twelve new tunes from twelve Philadelphia artists, and you can go right to their sites and support them below on the clickable playlist. The Tisburys- Here…
- Ashley Gellman
John and Paige talk with photographer/tour manager/many-hat-wearer Ashley Gellman about life on the road and at home. Ashley has worked with artists like Bartees Strange, Jamie xx, Jonas Brothers, boygenius, and is currently on the road wi…
- Sovei
In Philadelphia, John and Paige talk with Sovei , an artists no matter what they choose to apply their talent to. Whether it's singing and songwriting, sound experiments, visual collage, poetry, fashion, Sovei brings their spirit and exper…
- Kristin Daelyn
This episode marks a new chapter in the 25 O'Clock book: our first episode with collaborators, and our first episode of a new format going forward. While Dan is living in Hong Kong, he wanted to keep the show going, and with the help of hi…
- Derek Dorsey (Part 2)
In Part 2, longtime Philadelphia talent buyer/promoter/manager Derek Dorsey talks about everything he was up to during the 00s to now, including leaving The Fire (a club he booked for over 15 years), working in music publishing, managing b…
- Derek Dorsey (Part 1)
Dan sits down with Philadelphia music community icon and long-standing champion Derek Dorsey. He's booked and promoted thousands of shows at The Fire, Underground Arts, The Blockley, and Electric Factory, if you played in Philadelphia in t…
- Andrea Nardello
Just a few days before he took off for Hong Kong, Dan talks to folk singer-songwriter Andrea Nardello at her kitchen table in Philadelphia. Andrea talks about growing up the tomboy sister of older brothers just over the bridge in New Jerse…
- Bruce Warren
It's been a long time coming, but Dan finally sits down with Bruce Warren , recently retired program director from WXPN , Philadelphia's non-commercial radio station. Bruce talks about growing up in Northeast Philly, getting turned on by P…
- Paul Keen
Dan took a trip out to Wayne, PA to sit down with rock n' roll lifer Paul Keen ( Pawnshop Roses , Dead Flowers , Wolf & Vixen ). Paul talks about growing up loving the classic rock of his parents, especially The Rolling Stones, The Kinks,…
- Maria Mirenzi
We're back from January break, and in the home stretch before Dan heads off to Hong Kong. We're getting the year started off right with a great conversation with singer-songwriter Maria Mirenzi . Maria talks to Dan right at her dining room…
- Bidding 2024 Adieu
And like that, the end of another year. Whether 2024 was a slog, a joyful ride, or something in between, we can all agree that if you measure a year by its music, it looks a whole lot better. Dan shares a playlist of tracks from Philadelph…
- Ross Bellenoit #2
Dan brings Ross Bellenoit back for another conversation, his last one was fall of 2016. A lot has been going on: Ross has continued to release music as a solo artist, as part of the face-melting jam band Muscle Tough , and as part of Don M…
- Corey Bernhard
Dan sits down with pianist/composer/producer Corey Bernhard (currently a member of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert house band) about his journey from Boston to Philadelphia, and all the points in between. Steeped in the jazz and experim…
- Live at 48 Record Bar w. John Faye
Dan has talked to John Faye on the show before ( twice, actually ), but this time they're doing it live. On December 4th, 2024, John held a vinyl listening party for his new LP, 'The Long Game', at 48 Record Bar in the Old City neighborhoo…
- Sexton Sideshow
Dan has a full house this week with Sexton Sideshow founders Paula and Jim Minacci. As the sextons (or caretakers) of Old Swedes' Church in Philadelphia since 2000, they started having events featuring Philadelphia artists like Deadfellow,…
- Brendan Johnson (Stella Ruze)
The last time Brendan Johnson of Stella Ruze was on the show , it was with his bandmate Katie O'Donnell, and it was less than a week before the world shutdown in March of 2020 (Dan didn't have another in-person guest for nearly a year and…
- Jersey Wall
Dan was moved to reach out to a seemingly anonymous person, based solely on liking his concert photography. And through that, Dan talks to Jersey Wall (or Eric, as he's known to some) for one of his first podcast appearances ever. Eric tal…
- Dirty Dollhouse
Dan traveled up to Newtown, PA to sit with Dirty Dollhouse front-woman Chelsea Mitchell in her shop, Newtown Book & Record Exchange , along with her bassist Josh Machiz. Chelsea talks about growing up in Newtown, being an anxious, book-obs…
- Kat Rivers
Dan and and Kat Rivers met over a Philly music Discord, and started doing Monday co-working sessions at an Olde City coffee shop with a rotating cast of musicians and creatives. Kat talks about growing up in Paduka, Kentucky, her many year…
- Fall Playlist 2024
Dan recovers from a week of Philly Music Fest with a playlist episode. Ten tracks of Philadlephia music goodness, including a couple from the 'Want To Play A Song?: Live On 25 O'Clock Vol. 1' compilation out now exclusivley via Bandcamp. A…
- Mondo Cozmo
Dan talks with Josh Ostrander, aka Mondo Cozmo , from his basement studio in Los Angeles. After mutually admiring each other's set-ups through their computer screens, Josh talks to Dan about growing up outside Philadelphia, all the ups and…
- Chiara D'Anzieri
Dan has admired Chiara D'Anzieri's music ( under the Santa Chiara moniker ) for a while now, and has wanted to have her on the show ever since. Chiara talks about coming to the US in her 20s after meeting Philly musician Ron Gallo on a bea…
- Chris Pires (Catbite)
Dan talks to Chris Pires, drummer for Philly ska-punks Catbite , in lieu of their Philly Music Fest appearance. Chris talks about convncing his parents to let him have a drum kit, all the different acts he's played with, and how Catbite fo…
- Brackish
Dan sits with Connor Byrne and Tim Fitzpatrick of Brackish to talk all things punk and emo. Connor and Tim have known each other since high school, and get into growing up in central New Jersey, each of their guitar playing dads, early day…
- Dominic Angelella
Dominic Angelella is someone Dan has described as a "known quantity". He's helmed bands like DRGN KING and Lithuania, and put out his own solo work for years in Philadelphia. But in an attempt to have no fixed address, he's found himself l…
- Brittany Ann Tranbaugh
Dan has wanted to have Brittany Ann Tranbaugh on the show for a couple of years, and it's finally happening. Brittany talks about growing up in the Lehigh Valley, playing open mics and coffeehouse gigs as a teen, getting her songwriting to…
- Justin Kerecz
Dan met Justin Kerecz a little while ago, and the two hit it off immediately, sharing their love of the oft-debated-genre of power pop, as well as a general love of songwriting and home recording. Justin talks about growing up going to mus…