25 O'Clock

Dan Drago
  • 5.0 (21)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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. Cliff Hillis

    1D AGO

    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. 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 Smyth, US Rails, and his current gig as bassist for The Orchestra (featuring members of ELO and ELO II). They also talk about the great Philadlephia music tribute (created by Hooter's drummer Dave Uosikkinen), In The Pocket, which Cliff has been fortunate enough to be a part of for years. And no conversation with Cliff would be complete without mulling over the oft-debated genre label that is "power pop". Cliff is currently on tour with The Orchestra, and is finishing up a brand new EP of his own music, coming out later in 2026.

    1h 22m
  2. March 2026 Playlist

    MAR 24

    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 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, as well as any press sheets/EPKs/info about your band. We give all styles and genres consideration, it's just gotta be from around Philly.  King Pine- Work To Do Night Windows- In Circles Abi Reimold- Picking Stones Susan Werner- Eldest Daughter Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- Lucky Broke Girl Erin Fox- Raised The DelCobras- Get Closer Octopus Knife Fight- Eyes Up Comprador- Perfect Anyone Hit Like A Girl- Once And For All (I Gotta Forget You) Peace Fortress- Cool Nuns

    54 min
  3. Maxwell Stern

    MAR 10

    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).  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 date on his releases and tour dates (including a big Philadelphia show at Johnny Brenda's on June 12th with Labrador and Old Souls).

    1h 1m
  4. February 2026 Playlist

    FEB 24

    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 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 Moonroof- Massachusetts Cadre Noir- Summer Cold James Haro- Take Your Medicine Flanimal- Black Ice Josh Craft- Reasons I Don't Like You Clover- Forever Getting To Know You Bright Kelly- Sitcom Women In Sports- Sunlight The Blackburns- A Reunion Show Brother Of Monday- Andy The Bret Tobias Set- Sepviva Shuffle Jackson Pines- Open Up the Door

    1h 2m
  5. Sara Johnson

    FEB 10

    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 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 City, how her best writing comes out, and so much more. Sara performs an achingly gorgeous song called "Always Leaving" from her upcoming EP. The new Stone Cold Grace EP is out later this year, and the latest single, "To Die To Come Back To Die", is out now wherever you get your digital music. She has a preview event for the EP at 48 Record Bar on March 22nd.

    54 min
  6. January 2026 Playlist

    JAN 27

    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 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- Car Alarm Mikeal Anthony Greto and The Flood- Fade Into The Night Barney Cortez- Jigsaw Puzzle Greg Etter- Driving Through The Dark Vocabularies- Patron Saint Ronald Reagan? The Actor?- Breach Stone Cold Grace- To Die, To Come Back, To Die Nicole Saphos Band- Consumed Jay Carlis w. Brittany Ann Tranbaugh- Things I Can't See

    56 min
  7. Andrew Harris #2

    JAN 13

    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 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 Studios to work with Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey, and how teaching literature and poetry helps him write some of his best lyrics.  'Mirror In The Hallway' is the newest LP from The Naked Sun, and will be available January 30th wherever you get music. The band will play a record release show at the Fallser Club in East Falls on January 30th, alongside McTear and Morrissey's band Bitter Bitter Weeks.

    1h 20m
  8. 2025 Year End Episode

    12/23/2025

    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 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-standard clickable playlist below, and have great holiday and a happy new year.   The Bret Tobias Set- For Christ's Sake Brittany Ann Tranbaugh w. Carsie Blanton- Office Christmas Party G. Love and Special Sauce- When I Bust Minka- Cowboy The Naked Sun- Dreamin' Polaroid Fade- Fisher Gardens Planette Automatic- Twins in the Caul Sug Daniels- Brand New Day Parts Work- Trenton Dear Forbidden- Spotted Tiger

    1h 15m
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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
    Dan Drago
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    25 O'Clock