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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 to electronic to everything else. We hope this playlist gets you in a Philly Music Fest related mood, and that you discover some new artists that you may not have heard before.  Philly Music Fest is a non-profit music festival, and they give away all their proceeds to Philadelphia music charities like Beyond The Bars, Rock To The Future, Play On Philly, Settlement Music School, and more. For lineup information, available tickets, and to find out more about their mission, go to their website.  Mo Lowda and the Humble- Canary Clover Stieve- How Big Can I Dream Angelo Outlaw- Snowdrift Solar Circuit- Hold On Tight Sug Daniels *(featuring John Faye)- Are You With Me Roberta Faceplant- Old School Outlaw Sweet Pill- No Control Remember Sports- Across The Line Bleary Eyed- Wander Maty- Unilover Immanuel Wilkins (featuring Flying Lotus)- Compassion

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 melodic death metal pioneers In Flames, and is part of the "supergroup" Azusa, which features members of Extol.  The Dillinger Escape Plan are part of this year's Philly Music Fest lineup, and are playing October 15th at Underground Arts with Pyhrron and Caged. Tickets are currently still available, go to the festival's website for up to date information.  2026 marks Philly Music Fest's 10th year as a non-profit music festival. All the proceeds from the 7 nights of shows go to Philadelphia music charities that offer music instruction and experiences to the youth of Philadelphia.

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 both their recent albums, 'Recovery Mile' and 'After Knowing', and their collaborative relationship with their guitarist and producer Lonnie Davis. We're thrilled that Grace chose to perform an unreleased song, "My Mistake", on the show. Check out the full performance on our YouTube. Grace is playing this year's Xponential Music Festival on September 19 on the Marina Stage. The Xponential Music Fest is September 18-20 at Wiggins Park on the Camden waterfront. Tickets, schedule and all information is available on WXPN's website.

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 off the radio (a definitive elder millennial practice). A chance spotting of a flyer at Towson University for their college radio station got Mike on the air for the first time, and the rest was history. Mike extolls his love of Philadelphia bands like Cosmic Guilt, Te Vista, The Dawn Drapes, Ali Awan, and so many more.  WXPN's annual music festival, XPonential Fest, is September 18-20 at Wiggins Park on Camden Waterfront. Tickets are available as 3-day and single day passes, and this year features some great Philadelphia artists like Grace Gardener, Zoe Lemon, Te Vista, Daniel Villareal, The Flying Vees, and many more.

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 Dude In The Pocket featuring John Faye- I'll Be There Moustapha Noumbissi- Adeline Radiator Hospital- A Fine Vintage Jodaki- TARGET CAPITALISM Barney Cortez- Kill Your Heroes Muscle Tough- Sucked Into The Phone

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 has always been deeply involved in the New Jersey music world. On top of their original music, Joe and the band have made multiple volumes of recordings of traditional New Jersey Pine Barrens folk music, going back to the 19th century. Dan and Joe go deep into the history and traditions of Pine Barrens folk music, as well Joe's journey as a musician who started out in punk and emo bands. Pay-to-play shows, touring, spending time in the Library of Congress, working with the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, working with the Felice Brothers, and so much more gets covered in this conversation.  Jackson Pines have a new LP out of their original tunes called 'Wheel', available wherever you get your digital music. And do check out 'Pine Barrens Vol. 1' and 'Pine Barrens Vol. 2', the band's collections of traditional New Jersey folk music.

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 this year's fest, including folk like Erin Fox, Moustapha Noumbissi, Miss Olivia, Max Davey, and Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise. Dan brings festival organizer Ben Perkel on the show to chat a bit about the event and some of the behind the scenes action as well. In the end, they took a frown and turned it upside down with a great day hanging out in West Philly and seeing some outstanding Philly music.  We're taking the next few weeks off. Dan and John are busy getting the late summer and early fall episodes together, and Dan still has to fly back to Hong Kong at some point. So we'll be back very soon with some great interviews and music to share with you all.

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 Chill Pills- That One Time Humbleman Band- No Kings Planette Automatic- Dance Around Jojo and the Grease- The Stage Night Windows feat. Love? Said The Commander- Josie

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, King", from Labrador's new album.  The new Labrador LP, 'The Rosy Red World' is out June 5th on No Way Of Knowing Records. The band will play on June 12th at Johnny Brenda's with Old Souls and Maxwell Stern and the Good Light Band. They'll also be down in Newark, DE on June 13 at Newark Bike Project with Death By Indie and Red Birds. We're having a party! 25 O'Clock will be doing a live taping on June 20th at The Grape in Manayunk. RSVP here, the event is free. There will be conversations with and live performances from The Blackburns and Máty, as well as plenty of hang-out time. Do attend.

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 it will be a great time. RSVP at the link above. Do attend.

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 Extensions- Say I Can (Live) Bethlehem and Sad Patrick- Breezy Catbite- I Wish I Had A Date Lovecartel- Paradoxica Greg Mendez- Gentle Love/Frog Honey Badgers- I Am A Garden Ben O'Neill Trio- Waves We're getting a jump on June's playlist, so if you're a Philadelphia artist, please send your track and press info to [email protected].

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 Show', is out now wherever you get your digital music. She'll be at Thunderbird House on May 2nd to celebrate the EP release, and supporting the  Kulfigirls vinyl release show on June 5th at Warehouse On Watts.

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.

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 [email protected]. 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

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).