Jesse Gimbel is an accomplished singer-songwriter, performer, and DIY producer and engineer. With a body of work that goes back more than a decade, Dan and Jesse have a lot to talk about: making music all by yourself, being really good at finishing things, taking on the creation of the videos for his songs, and how the "time" to be creative will never really be there unless you go and make it happen. Jesse has a new single out called 'Minds On Fire' (with a video he animated himself).

John Morrison is a DJ, producer, musician, writer, podcast host, and a general Philly Renaissance man. Dan and John talk about John growing up seeing hip-hop at a young age thanks to his brother's influence, learning how to make his own samples, his tips for crate-digging, and the solitude of being your own beat-maker. More talk includes: high school tribes, getting someone else to edit your podcast, and how no one actually wants to be Joe Rogan, including Joe Rogan sometimes. John is the host of Culture Cypher Radio, a new program on WXPN 88.5 FM, and cohosts the podcast 'Seri...

Katie and Dan go way back to a sidewalk show in 2009 that they both played, and have been friends ever since. Katie returns to the show (she was one of the first guests, way back on #14) to talk about her new record, 'Long Night Moon', her music being featured on Netflix in a pretty odd scene for a folk song, and some general songwriting catch-up for the two.

Dan and Dave talk about Dave's massive catalog of music, his long journey as a songwriter and performer, and how Debussy was right when he said that it's a great life to be a musician, but a crummy job. From his studies of South Indian Classical tradition to embracing the pop song in so many of it's forms, Dave Cope is a writer and musician who likes to break up his own patterns and see what shakes out. His newest LP, 'Dave Cope and the Sass', is out now everywhere you get music. 

Episode image by Hannah Taylor

Kristen Levine and Paige Walter are the brains and brawn and the everything behind Cherry-Veen Zine, a real, on-paper zine that spotlights Philly musicians and artists. Dan, Kristen, and Paige talk about how they started the magazine, the evolution of it's style, and the moments when it really feels like they're getting somewhere. With plenty of similarities between zines and podcasts, it's a spirited conversation about the work and the rewards of being scene supporters in Philadelphia music community.

Photo by John Vettese

Dan and Mike were very nearly in a band together way back in 2004. 15 years later, they're catching up about Mike's newest project, Pretend Collective. Dan and Mike talk about Mike's time with bands like Hoots and Hellmouth, becoming himself as a musician and as a person, and the flip-side of always keeping busy as a musician. Pretend Collective's self-titled LP is out 9/13 on Giving Groove Records.

Back from a brief summer break, Dan talks with Yeho about his many, MANY projects, including Likebirds, Interminable, Circadian Rhythms, and more. Yeho tells about his musical education at CAPA as a clarinetist, studying in Miami, coming home to Philly, and finding himself in the jam band scene. The two discuss what kind of responsibilities are on performers and promoters in the midst of movements like #metoo, and racial exclusion in the music scene. 

Valentina Raffaelli returns to the show to talk to Dan about her upcoming record, 'Bring On The Fire', her fundraising to make it a reality, and all the tumultuous events that led up to the album being written in the first place. Talking openly about her recent separation from her partner, Valentina takes us through the writing and recording process of the record, and how it'll there to help others as much as it has helped her. Her fundraising campaign ends on July 17th, so if you like what you hear and want to help, go here to lend a hand. 

Dan and Marcelyn Lebovitz talk about the box of CDs she inherited from her brothers and how it changed her life, how much touring is "just enough", going to the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia, and diversity in Philly DIY. She also hips Dan to bullet journaling, and offers to give him voice lessons (she's a classically trained singer), which he probably needs.

Photo by Mistycat Media

Taking a break from format, Dan offers up a series of live performances from the West Philly Porch Fest, a DIY community music festival that boasted more than 180 acts performing over the course of an afternoon. Hosted on porches all over West Philadelphia, here are 8 performances, presented in a stream, giving you a taste of what it's like to wander the neighborhood in search of live music. Here's the artist list with episode times, do support the artists that you dig:

6:14 I Think Like Midnight

9:56 A Day Without Love

12:52 LikeBirds

18:26 Lady Sarkazm

20:54 St. Francis De Sales...

Dan and Elaine talk about her new live EP recorded at Philly's Music Ward, studying audio production as her school's only female recording student, what the Philly DIY scene has helped her accomplish, and a love of Sufjan Stevens. Elaine is on tour with Kate Dressed Up in June, go elainerasnake.com for more info.

After featuring Marc's band, Good Morning Daydreamer, on last episode's music compilation, it was good timing that he was able to talk with Dan. Dan and Marc go deep into how Marc came to music (spoiler: it involves a flute, and an upright bass), his influences (Miles Davis, Bill Evans, etc), and how he came back from a debilitating injury that threatened his ability to play music. The newest Good Morning Daydreamer record is called 'Rinse and Repeat' and is available everywhere you get digital music.

Join Dan as he takes a break from his usual tasks like talking to people, and brings you a lively compilation of new Philly music.

1) A Day Without Love- Believe

2) Rob Rapp- Reasons Don't Apply

3) Good Morning, Daydreamer- Clarity

4) Sophie Coran- Duller Star

5) Khemist- I Been On A Budget

6) Vassal- Fruit and Fist

7) Switch Mob- Connect The Dots

8) Philly Green- Lake Pleasant

9) Yeenar- Sinnerspit

10) Kiko Kaid- A Moment

11) Night Windows- Future Plans For Happiness

Dan and The Chairman Dances frontman Eric have a lively chat about his work with songwriter/producer/auteur Daniel Smith (Danielson), touring with Rhett Miller, and all the work and thought and work and people and work that goes into being able to do things like that. 

Ximena Violante and St. Clair Simmons, two members of the Latin folk/jazz/psychedelic group Interminable, sit down with Dan to talk about how they came to music, working in a band with so many different kinds of people and perspectives, how to tame a predominantly live sound in the studio, and coin the catchphrase "New People, Good Stuff".