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 his friends back in Philadelphia, Paige Walter and John Vettese (you might know them from their day jobs at WXPN), 25 O'Clock continues on with great conversations with artists, and of course, lots of Philadelphia music. And rest assured, Dan is still ever present, introducing the music and artists, bringing in his usual brand of commentary, and continuing to c ..read more

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 bands, and continuing to book shows for Philadelphia venues like The Blockley, Underground Arts, and the Electric Factory. Derek also opens up about his current health and treatments, and the amazing benefit concerts that the We Live On foundation has been putting on. Dan tries his best to express to Derek just how much he means to the community, and how we wi ..read more

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 the last 25 years, you worked with Derek at some point.  In Part 1, Derek reminisces about growing up in Overbrook, early concerts, his love of music, and his early career as a social worker working with at-risk youth in Philadelphia. In an attempt to raise money via a benefit concert, Derek got his first taste of being part of the business from behind t ..read more

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 Jersey, coming out of her shell to perform in college, and getting her start on the road while living in Atlanta at the beginning of her career. They discuss touring life, the grind of producing content, the ups and downs of booking even in your own hometown, their mutual love of Ani Difranco and the Indigo Girls, and Andrea's biggest aspiration: to be a "legacy o ..read more

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 Philly soul, Motown, The Beatles, etc, starting a music zine to get into shows for free, and taking a random late night DJ shift at a burgeoning college radio station would change his entire life. Dan and Bruce share their experiences in the restaurant industry (Bruce's gig before he found a life in radio), the changes at WXPN over his 35 years, the amazing peop ..read more

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, The Faces, and The Who, and finding a home in the Manayunk music scene at The Grape Room and Dawson Street Pub. Dan and Paul discuss the finer points of being two aging music guys who are trying hard not to be cranky nostalgists, the merits of dive bars and clubs, and how a life of playing out at bars has to be handled just right so as not to make your life a ..read more

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 table about growing up in Mountain Top, PA, playing saxophone, being a "jazz kid", Temple music school, living in France, her first project Brother Martin, growing into being a solo artist, and playing more guitar. Dan and Maria also get very sidetracked (Dan's fault) talking about the perceived spirt life of inanimate objects, and how songwriting is the clos ..read more

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 Philadelphia artists from 2024. Some have been on the show, some he's only just discovering, and all of it is top notch. Check out the clickable playlist below, and have a happy new year!   Party Nerves- I Said No Thank You Nervous Nikki and the Chill Pills- Holy Light The Bret Tobias Set- I Explode Andrea Nardello- Rise Chris Kasper- Getting Right (feat ..read more

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 McCloskey's live band. On top of it all, he continues to produce records at Turtle Studios, and teach guitar to all ages and levels. Ross talks about growing up in Western Massachusetts (a fact we sort of skipped over last time), his mom's outstanding record collection, playing jazz at a young age, moving to Philadelphia to go to UArts, and staying ever since ..read more

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 experimental scenes in Boston and New York, Corey landed in Philadelphia and founded Killiam Shakespeare, a beloved Philly insturmental hip-hop group. he's played with acts like Bilal, Snarky Puppy, Ed Sheeran, Ariana grande, Bootsy Collins, and so many more. Corey also gets into his upcoming LP, 'A Blessed Leap into Eternity', available January 24th (check out the ..read more