25 O'Clock

Daniel Drago
  • 5.0 (21)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
25 O'Clock

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.

  1. Kristin Daelyn

    MAR 11

    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 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 champion the music community. Kristin Daelyn is a singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, and has been captivating audiences with her songs for years. John and Paige sat down with Kristin in Philadelphia to talk about what she thinks of as "seasons" for making music, her sweeping and fluid guitar playing, and how she wants to leave room in each of her songs for the listener to find space in. She's kind enough to grace us with an in-studio performance of one of her songs, "Patience Comes to the Bones". That song and others are on her brand new record, 'Beyond The Break', available on Orindal Records and wherever you get your digital music. She'll be playing a release show on March 14th at Harmonie Hall with Reese Florence and Adeline Hotel, get tickets here, or follow her on her Instagram.

    1h 2m
  2. Derek Dorsey (Part 2)

    MAR 6

    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 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 will never stop supporting him and We Live On. Derek, among other things, tells two incredible stories about working in the concert industry: one involving a car chase with Shuggie Otis as a passenger, and one about a near brawl between him and his staff and DMX's Ruff Ryders. These simply can't be missed.  Derek was diagnosed with a very rare version of trigeminal neuralgia, a neurological disease that attacks the body with sharp, sudden bursts of pain. It has been treatable to varying degrees of success, but the illness is chronic and incurable. Derek and friends started a foundation called 'We Live On', which helps Derek and his family, as well as provides assistance and resources to others who are going through similar situations. They host benefit concerts, including two upcoming ones, both at Ardmore Music Hall: Sunday, March 30th with Mason Porter, Frog Holler and Travel Lanes, and on Saturday, May 3rd, We Live On presents The Soul Of Quincy Jones: York Street Hustle and Special Guests. Go to the AMH website for all your event and ticket information. Photo by Jessica Emge

    1h 20m
  3. Derek Dorsey (Part 1)

    MAR 4

    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 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 the scenes, and the rest is history. Dan and Derek talk about the Philly music scene in the 90s and early 00s, the bands in Derek's orbit (Town Hall, June Rich, Huffamoose, etc), and how he made his career, even if (according to him) he had no idea what he was doing.  Derek was diagnosed with a very rare version of trigeminal neuralgia, a neurological disease that attacks the body with sharp, sudden bursts of pain. It has been treatable to varying degrees of success, but the illness is chronic and incurable. Derek and friends started a foundation called 'We Live On', which helps Derek and his family, as well as provides assistance and resources to others who are going through similar situations. They host benefit concerts, including two upcoming ones, both at Ardmore Music Hall: Sunday, March 30th with Mason Porter, Frog Holler and Travel Lanes, and on Saturday, May 3rd, We Live On presents The Soul Of Quincy Jones: York Street Hustle and Special Guests. Go to the AMH website for all your event and ticket information.

    1h 46m
  4. Andrea Nardello

    FEB 25

    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 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 opener".  Andrea Nardello's newest EP, 'Rise', is out now wherever you get your digital music, and on CD via her website. Follow her on IG to stay up to date with upcoming shows and releases.  In the opening, I talk about an event happening this weekend in Bethlehem, PA and in the Philly suburbs. Listen To the Dissonance is an annual concert series put on by Your Next Favorite Band (our sister podcast up in the Lehigh Valley), focusing on intimate performances from songwriters speaking about mental health awareness. This year, there are two opportunities to see it: 2/28 in Bethlehem at the Icehouse, and 3/1 in Wayne at 118 North. Both shows will feature performances from Jon Worthy, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, A Day Without Love, and Cass Noelle. Come and be a part of this movement to de-stigmatize and promote mental health awareness through the universal language of music. Tickets are available, and you can get more information at Your Next Favorite Band's website.

    1h 23m
  5. Bruce Warren

    FEB 18

    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 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 people he gets to call colleagues, and what he plans to do with his time now that he's retiring. But don't worry: guys like Bruce don't sit still, even in retirement.  Bruce still has the Saturday shift on WXPN from 1Oam to 2pm EST ('The Post Sleepy Hollow Experience'), and teaches social media and business at University of Pennsylvania and Temple University.

    1h 17m
  6. Paul Keen

    FEB 11

    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, 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 never-ending party.  Paul's newest project is a duo with his partner, author C.C. Lane, Wolf & Vixen. they have a new single out now called "Everyone's On Drugs", available wherever you get your digital music.  Dan's note: This is the last episode I'll be producing while residing in Philadelphia for a while. Next you hear from me, I'll likely be balancing a Zoom H6 on my lap while holding a mic in a small apartment in the North Point neighborhood of Hong Kong. There are a handful of interviews I conducted while still in Philadelphia, and I'll be putting those out over the next weeks. Philadelphia will always be part of me, and I'll be back to visit, and eventually to live again. I'll miss each and every one of you. Be well.

    1h 29m
  7. Maria Mirenzi

    FEB 4

    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 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 closest thing to magic that they can explain rationally.  Maria's newest single, "Suburban Nightmare", is available wherever you get digital music. She's playing at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City on February 22nd with Teen Idle, Nylon Ghost and Those Looks.

    1h 20m
  8. Bidding 2024 Adieu

    12/31/2024

    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 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 Oliver Wood) Joh Chase, Valley Queen, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- Gossamer Thread Love? said the Commander- Snow Song Mannequin Pussy- Split Me Open Stella Ruze- Pinch Of Salt Right Half- Don’t Let Go Granddogs- Level Maggie Mae- Bridge Of Avignon   We're going to take a couple of weeks off in January. There's still a few conversations I'm meaning to get on tape before I depart, and those will get released as I settle in to Hong Kong life. So keep posted via the socials, email list, etc. The show sure isn't ending, just changing. More to come, more fun to be had. Thank you all for a great year, you've made my 10th year the greatest. Here's to more and more.

    1 hr
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Daniel Drago
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    25 O'Clock

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