25 O'Clock

Caroline Quinn has been a regular staple of our playlist episodes for a couple of years, and we're delighted to finally get her on the show. John goes deep into Caroline's basement (surrounded by all her props and ephemera) to talk to her about her love of horror films and thrillers, how she conceives of the all the visual elements to her music, videos, and live shows, her background in theater an...

It's one of the best weeks of the year in Philadelphia. It is Philly Music Fest ! The fest celebrates its 10th year this year, and the 2026 lineup is all killer, no filler.  But how does one prepare themselves for 7 nights of Philadelphia music? This playlist is an excellent start. Enjoy 11 tracks from 11 bands that are playing the fest this year, from punk to country to singer-songwriter to jazz...

It's Philly Music Fest time again, and this year, Dan had one major interview on his wishlist: The Dillinger Escape Plan . Thankfully, Dan got his wish, and he and DEP bassist Liam Wilson have an indepth conversation about Liam's early days in the Philadelphia hardcore and metal scene, joining The Dillinger Escape Plan in 2000, and the wild ride that ensued. Liam is also the current bassist for me...

Grace Gardner hails from Texas, but has come to love their home in Philadelphia, and how Philadelphians express themselves. John talks with Grace about their love of their home state, the "New Orleans shaped hole" that will always be in their heart, and how their West Philadelphia neighbors are far kinder than anyone back home would have led them to believe. Grace goes in depth into the making of...

During his trip home this summer, Dan knew he had to sit down with WXPN's Mike Vasilikos . Mike is the mid-day host at WXPN, as well as the host of Homegrown- The XPN Local Show, and a tireless champion of Philadelphia music. Dan and Mike get deep into Mike's upbringing on Long Island, his early love of Dave Matthews, and growing up with a cassette tape at the ready to record his favorite songs of...

Summer continues to perpetuate itself, and with comes a new playlist. 12 new tracks from Philadelphia artists are on display here for listening enjoyment. As always, check out the clickable playlist below and support the artists that you love.  Flight Of Mavis- Holding Me Back Quarry- You've Changed Lia Menaker- Feed Me Sovei- January Beatrix Thorn- Gambler's Fallacy Planette Automatic- Mrs. Blue...

We're back from our brief but rejuvenating break. Dan is back in Hong Kong. But while he was in the USA this summer, he and John did a handful of interviews with Philadlephia music community people that we know you'll love. Joe Makoviecki fronts the band Jackson Pines , a folk band originally from the Pine Barrens region of New Jersey. Joe has called Philadelphia home for the last decade, but he h...

Here's the short version: Dan and John were supposed to do a live podcast event at The Grape in Manayunk, but due to circumstances out of everyone's control, the event had to be cancelled. So they looked around at what else was happening that day, and decided to head over to Clark Park Fest in West Philadelphia . They ended up recording interviews and performances with a handful of the bands at th...

The June playlist is here, and it is (as always) outstanding. Do check out the clickable playlist below, it has links to every artist included in this episode.  Labrador- The Rosy Red World Hurry- Moving After You (feat. Gerard Love) Log Flume- Up By 9 O'Clock Caroline Quinn- Clanker Erin Fox- Orchard Lo Priestess- The Faker Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- When Our Timing's Right Nervous Nikki and the Chi...

Labrador frontman Pat King sits down with John to talk about growing up in the rural Hudson Valley, being exposed to a lot of art and music through his father, and how countless family trips to New York City convinced him he was a city guy. Pat also talks about his bands, getting away from practicing them to death, and writing more like John Prine. He shares a performance of a new song, "Slow Down...

John sits down with Reese Florence in her home to talk about songwriting, stillness, and how live recordings can make the best albums. Reese raves about her neighborhood of Germantown, and even graces us with a new song called "Laura Palmer" from her upcoming release.  Dan is back in the USA! And we're doing a live podcast event on 6/20 at The Grape in Manayunk . It's free, it's from 1-4:30pm, and...

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 artists you love! Party Nerves- 1-900-PROMETHAZINE Keaton Thandi- Anyway You Want It JULITH- Phantom Limb Dominy- Golden Age Squiggler- Hey Man You're The Best The Ex...

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 the process of making her newest EP, working with her producer Justin, and how to use social media to say real things about yourself.  Máty's latest EP, 'Stand Up...

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. Cliff talks about his days playing Rehoboth Beach bars with his brother to working with bands like The Innocence Mission, Starbelly, John Faye Power Trip, Patty Smyt...

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 music you love.  If you're a Philadelphia area band, you can submit your music to dan.drago@25oclockpod.com . Include a link to where the song can be downloaded, a...

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).  Maxwell's latest LP, 'In the Good Light' is out now wherever you get your digital music, as well as on his Bandcamp page . Follow Maxwell Stern on IG to stay up to...

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 playlist below, it links to you to every artist featured on this episode so you can support the music you discover and love.  Stone Cold Grace- You're Always Leaving...

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 to be creative in your spare time when you're also a creative for a living, Caring Less (the band she fronts), spinning epic 9 hour sets at 48 Record Bar in Old C...

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 the playlist below to go right to the artists you love and make sure you support them.  Love? Said The Commander- Eventide I Think Like Midnight- Polydactyl Gladie...

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 year process that went into making their newest LP, how their songwriting as a band has become more democratic and open, why he'll always return to Miner Street S...

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 sending messages this year, and thanks to all the contributors at 25 O'Clock in 2025. We couldn't make this happen without everyone involved. Enjoy the ever-stan...

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 podcast Maggie Poulos (and founder of boutique PR firm Mixtape Media ) talks with all three Maks: Melissa Menago, Angelique Zuppo, and Karina Patricelli, as well as...

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 Factory founder, Live Aid/Live 8 co-creator and Cobb's Creek native Larry Magid . Dan gets back in the interviewer seat for the first time in a while to talk wi...

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 Rob Rapp- To the Flag Laura Feigin- Attic Kat Rivers and the Second Sight- RED The Blackburns- Chances On Love Sun Within- Synthesis + Realization Marielle Kr...

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 this week, and he talks with KulfiGirls about it all: how they met, how they formed up as a band, all the work that went into their LP 'Divinity', the pain of mixi...