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What happens when you mix Philly basketball angst, touring-musician coffee rituals, and the creative spirit of The War on Drugs?
In this episode, bassist Dave Hartley dives into all of it — from Joel Embiid’s emotional truth to the cultural roots of Drugcember to Remember, to how he balances his band life with his solo project, Nightlands.

We kick things off with coffee talk — pour-overs, strange co-ferment experiments, and why musicians obsess over brewing rituals while touring the world. 

And of course… we go deep on the Sixers, the emotional rollercoaster of Philly fandom, the youth movement, Embiid’s complicated greatness, OKC’s rise, the Eastern Conference chaos, and what it means to root for a team that is equal parts hope and heartbreak.

If you love basketball, music culture, Philly stories, and the creative heartbeat behind The War on Drugs, this conversation is for you.

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🔥 Topics Covered
 • Dave’s coffee routine on and off tour
 • Co-ferment coffee experiments & flavor debates
 • The origin and purpose of Drugcember to Remember
 • The War on Drugs’ deep ties to Philadelphia
 • How Dave balances band life with Nightlands
 • Philly fandom: hope, humor, and heartbreak
 • The Sixers’ young core vs. their aging stars
 • OKC’s rise and how it changes the NBA landscape
 • Music recommendations for winter
 • Holiday traditions, gratitude, and creative renewal

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☕️ Helpful Links

The War on Drugs (Official Site)
https://www.thewarondrugs.net

Dave Hartley – Nightlands
https://nightlands.bandcamp.com

Drugcember to Remember (Tickets/Info)
https://www.thewarondrugs.net/drugcember

Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia Venue
https://johnnybrendas.com

Cat & Cloud Coffee
https://catandcloud.com

Okonski - Entrance Music https://okonski.bandcamp.com/album/entrance-music

Beach Boys Christmas Album https://shop.thebeachboys.com/products/the-beach-boys-christmas-album-vinyl?srsltid=AfmBOoqWgxvzg4qBqCx3n3Sg9tktHz3Ax-MzQLl5QYOpN2DWEwLr5GK7

🏀 If You Enjoy This Episode…

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Believe, Suffer and hope again.

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