The Philadelphia-based quintet Dr. Dog has found popularity with both jamband and adult-alternative audiences. Combining sugary harmonies a-la The Beach Boys with an indie roth aesthetic, Dr. Dog is retro and relevant all at once. For the past several years, the band has honed its skills and built its fanbase opening for Wilco, The Raconteurs and The Black Keys among others. These days, Dr. Dog is headlining shows and touring in support of Fate, its latest release for Park The Van Records. On Monday, September 8, Dr. Dog will perform at Bottletree Cafe. Guitarist/vocalist Scott McMicken recently spoke to the Weekly's Brent Thompson about the band's new album and current tour.
BT: Scott, thanks for your time today. Dr. Dog has received some great press and performed at some high-profile opening and headline shows in the last couple of years. If you will, discuss the growth of the band leading up to the current album and tour.
SM: It's been a very consistently rewarding process, but nothing has changed drastically. When we got our manager three or four years ago, that changed the structure of the band. But lifestyle-wise and touring-wise, things haven't changed much. Once we put [album] We All Belong out, we had been touring so much and getting the opportunity to open up for all of these great bands and playing for an automatic audience. We'd been doing that for so long that it really seemed overdue that we step out and see what is out there for us as a headlining band. That made the last year quite a bit different for us and it's varied from town to town in terms of the [audience] turnout.
BT: If you will, talk about the recording process for Fate.
SM: That process was a real milestone for the band because it really felt like a different kind of record than anything we'd made before. That was because the live side of what we do as a band has taken over the primary energy for years. At first, it was all about writing and recording, but there's been a lot less time for that and a lot more playing. We've changed a lot as a band as a result of that and its come full-circle. When it came time to make a record, our expectations were different. It was a good situation to look at ourselves as a band and it was time to learn more about the studio craft.
BT: How did the songs evolve for Fate?
SM: Some of the songs came out of a recent burst of writing by [bassist] Toby [Leaman] and I. Toby and I - who are the main songwriters in the band - have been playing music and we've been best friends since we were about 12. We met as musicians, so it's been this thing that we've always done together. His identity as a songwriter and mine feel so overlapped in my brain. We don't really sit down and writer together, but there's a conscious sensitivity from one to the other. It feels like the direction he goes in songwriting, I can easily appropriate and vice-versa. By the time the band actually started, he and I had 150 songs written that had never been played. Plus, we've been writing new songs in the last six or seven years. There's always pressure when it comes to making a record because there are new songs and songs that didn't make it on previous records. Fate - like all of our other albums - encompasses songs written over a span of five years.
BT: How do you view the climate today in the age of home recording advancements, iTunes, satellite radio and the Internet?
SM: It's a double-edged issue for me like any other modern phenomenon that we're witnessing in changing times. On a very basic level, it is a wonderful thing for people to feel empowered to make their own music. Recordings now can rival what were previously very expensive recordings. There's a flipside to the flipside that's positive in that everyone can do it now and everyone can be heard. The industry is falling apart because of this and there is anarchy in the music business. Record companies are scrambling trying to figure out how to make money because people aren't buying music and it's leveling the playing field. Having 10,000 hits on your 'myspace' site isn't going to further you - it's irrelevant in terms of getting support. I feel like it's placed an emphasis on touring because it's the only way a band can make money. That's an organic quality that lies in the true function of being in a band - the live show is becoming an important part of indie rock culture.
Dr. Dog will perform at Bottetree Cafe with Delta Spirit and Seth Kauffman. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets for the 18+ show are $10 and can be purchased at www.thebottletree.com or by calling 533-6288.
BT: Scott, thanks for your time today. Dr. Dog has received some great press and performed at some high-profile opening and headline shows in the last couple of years. If you will, discuss the growth of the band leading up to the current album and tour.
SM: It's been a very consistently rewarding process, but nothing has changed drastically. When we got our manager three or four years ago, that changed the structure of the band. But lifestyle-wise and touring-wise, things haven't changed much. Once we put [album] We All Belong out, we had been touring so much and getting the opportunity to open up for all of these great bands and playing for an automatic audience. We'd been doing that for so long that it really seemed overdue that we step out and see what is out there for us as a headlining band. That made the last year quite a bit different for us and it's varied from town to town in terms of the [audience] turnout.
BT: If you will, talk about the recording process for Fate.
SM: That process was a real milestone for the band because it really felt like a different kind of record than anything we'd made before. That was because the live side of what we do as a band has taken over the primary energy for years. At first, it was all about writing and recording, but there's been a lot less time for that and a lot more playing. We've changed a lot as a band as a result of that and its come full-circle. When it came time to make a record, our expectations were different. It was a good situation to look at ourselves as a band and it was time to learn more about the studio craft.
BT: How did the songs evolve for Fate?
SM: Some of the songs came out of a recent burst of writing by [bassist] Toby [Leaman] and I. Toby and I - who are the main songwriters in the band - have been playing music and we've been best friends since we were about 12. We met as musicians, so it's been this thing that we've always done together. His identity as a songwriter and mine feel so overlapped in my brain. We don't really sit down and writer together, but there's a conscious sensitivity from one to the other. It feels like the direction he goes in songwriting, I can easily appropriate and vice-versa. By the time the band actually started, he and I had 150 songs written that had never been played. Plus, we've been writing new songs in the last six or seven years. There's always pressure when it comes to making a record because there are new songs and songs that didn't make it on previous records. Fate - like all of our other albums - encompasses songs written over a span of five years.
BT: How do you view the climate today in the age of home recording advancements, iTunes, satellite radio and the Internet?
SM: It's a double-edged issue for me like any other modern phenomenon that we're witnessing in changing times. On a very basic level, it is a wonderful thing for people to feel empowered to make their own music. Recordings now can rival what were previously very expensive recordings. There's a flipside to the flipside that's positive in that everyone can do it now and everyone can be heard. The industry is falling apart because of this and there is anarchy in the music business. Record companies are scrambling trying to figure out how to make money because people aren't buying music and it's leveling the playing field. Having 10,000 hits on your 'myspace' site isn't going to further you - it's irrelevant in terms of getting support. I feel like it's placed an emphasis on touring because it's the only way a band can make money. That's an organic quality that lies in the true function of being in a band - the live show is becoming an important part of indie rock culture.
Dr. Dog will perform at Bottetree Cafe with Delta Spirit and Seth Kauffman. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets for the 18+ show are $10 and can be purchased at www.thebottletree.com or by calling 533-6288.
It was a clothing company sub knew. Moving from Alaska to Arizona, which finally won initial fame in Los Angeles, California. From there, just started exploding.This unique top supra skate shoe also features a vulcanized outsole for grip and off the skateboard. As with all supra vaider this sneaker contains extra heel protection molded sockliner comfortable high memory polyurethane. Along with protecting the heel, the midsole Supra foam provides complete resistance to the impact of the foot, shoe nice touch to bending, advice and support ankle.Cheap supra shoes online uk store moving from Alaska to Arizona, which finally won initial fame in Los Angeles, California. From there, just started exploding.Supra tk society is a mark of success when it comes to shoe manufacturers & license keys sneakers, they said. Above has published a elegant & pretty, for tennis fans. This time make it more pretty & catch the eyes of his elegant stamped with the collaboration of supra shoes outlet.
Supra shoes on sale for men and women. Supra Skytop shoes Favorite celebrity Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber see some useful tips for some more high fashion skateshoes Department, and that’s fine shoes jeans.It’s a double ankle red tape provides great support of over a vulcanized sole with red stripes.Supra shoes is known as a mark of success when it comes to shoe manufacturers and license keys sneakers, he said. Above has published a very elegant and attractive, especially for tennis fans. This time make it more attractive and catch the eyes of his elegant stamped with the collaboration of black supra shoes outlet.Above often release new version of its award-winning models, but this day gives us pair of supra footwear on sale recently, lots of fans also like Red over shoes. Supra tk society will always be the attention getter and leather street shown above red shoes. The skate shoes, leather sports red construction is so lovely to pass up.Even Rihanna and Jay-Z made appearances with his favorite kicks above. This has helped tremendously Supra Footwear.Supra skytop shoes are designed and manufactured for use in skate shoes that are known as its quality and classic style. Supra shoes on sale for men and women. Supra Skytop shoes Favorite celebrity Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber see some useful tips for some more high fashion skateshoes Department, and that’s fine shoes jeans.
TAG:Supra Avenger,Supra Bullet,Supra Cruizer,Supra Cuban,Supra EE Diablo 1.5,Supra Indy Ns,Supra Skytop,Supra Skytop NS,Supra Strapped NS,Supra Suprano,Supra Thunder,Supra Thunder Lo,Supra TK Society,Supra TK Stacks,Supra Trinity NS,Supra Vaider,Supra Vega,Supra Vulk Low,Supra Dixon,Supra Bandit Mid,2011 mbt shoes ,mbt cheap shoes ,air jordan shoes ,jordan i shoes ,air jordan 1 ,supra shoes cheap ,women jordan shoes ,men jordan shoes ,kid jordan shoes ,mbt outlet shoes ,mbt shoes uk store ,supra shoes 2011 ,2011 supra shoes,MBT Fora Shoes,MBT Kafala Shoes,MBT Rafiki GTX Shoes,MBT Sandals Shoes,MBT Sini Shoes,MBT Tariki Shoes,MBT Tupu Shoes,MBT Vizuri GTX Shoes,MBT Wingu Shoes,MBT Sports Shoes,MBT Tembea Shoes,MBT Shoes Shuguli GTX,mbt shoes store,mbt shoes outlet,supra shoes,cheap supra shoes,supra store,supra shoes store,supra shoes,mbt shoes,mbt shoes,mbt shoes,mbt shoes uk,mbt shoes store,uk mbt shoes store,cheap mbt shoes,nba jordan shoes,air jordan shoes,cheap jordan shoes,nba jordan
It was a clothing company sub knew. Moving from Alaska to Arizona, which finally won initial fame in Los Angeles, California. From there, just started exploding.This unique top supra skate shoe also features a vulcanized outsole for grip and off the skateboard. As with all supra vaider this sneaker contains extra heel protection molded sockliner comfortable high memory polyurethane. Along with protecting the heel, the midsole Supra foam provides complete resistance to the impact of the foot, shoe nice touch to bending, advice and support ankle.Cheap supra shoes online uk store moving from Alaska to Arizona, which finally won initial fame in Los Angeles, California. From there, just started exploding.Supra tk society is a mark of success when it comes to shoe manufacturers & license keys sneakers, they said. Above has published a elegant & pretty, for tennis fans. This time make it more pretty & catch the eyes of his elegant stamped with the collaboration of supra shoes outlet.
Supra shoes on sale for men and women. Supra Skytop shoes Favorite celebrity Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber see some useful tips for some more high fashion skateshoes Department, and that’s fine shoes jeans.It’s a double ankle red tape provides great support of over a vulcanized sole with red stripes.Supra shoes is known as a mark of success when it comes to shoe manufacturers and license keys sneakers, he said. Above has published a very elegant and attractive, especially for tennis fans. This time make it more attractive and catch the eyes of his elegant stamped with the collaboration of black supra shoes outlet.Above often release new version of its award-winning models, but this day gives us pair of supra footwear on sale recently, lots of fans also like Red over shoes. Supra tk society will always be the attention getter and leather street shown above red shoes. The skate shoes, leather sports red construction is so lovely to pass up.Even Rihanna and Jay-Z made appearances with his favorite kicks above. This has helped tremendously Supra Footwear.Supra skytop shoes are designed and manufactured for use in skate shoes that are known as its quality and classic style. Supra shoes on sale for men and women. Supra Skytop shoes Favorite celebrity Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber see some useful tips for some more high fashion skateshoes Department, and that’s fine shoes jeans.
TAG:Supra Avenger,Supra Bullet,Supra Cruizer,Supra Cuban,Supra EE Diablo 1.5,Supra Indy Ns,Supra Skytop,Supra Skytop NS,Supra Strapped NS,Supra Suprano,Supra Thunder,Supra Thunder Lo,Supra TK Society,Supra TK Stacks,Supra Trinity NS,Supra Vaider,Supra Vega,Supra Vulk Low,Supra Dixon,Supra Bandit Mid,2011 mbt shoes ,mbt cheap shoes ,air jordan shoes ,jordan i shoes ,air jordan 1 ,supra shoes cheap ,women jordan shoes ,men jordan shoes ,kid jordan shoes ,mbt outlet shoes ,mbt shoes uk store ,supra shoes 2011 ,2011 supra shoes,MBT Fora Shoes,MBT Kafala Shoes,MBT Rafiki GTX Shoes,MBT Sandals Shoes,MBT Sini Shoes,MBT Tariki Shoes,MBT Tupu Shoes,MBT Vizuri GTX Shoes,MBT Wingu Shoes,MBT Sports Shoes,MBT Tembea Shoes,MBT Shoes Shuguli GTX,mbt shoes store,mbt shoes outlet,supra shoes,cheap supra shoes,supra store,supra shoes store,supra shoes,mbt shoes,mbt shoes,mbt shoes,mbt shoes uk,mbt shoes store,uk mbt shoes store,cheap mbt shoes,nba jordan shoes,air jordan shoes,cheap jordan shoes,nba jordan