Last summer, rock ‘n’ roll six-piece Dr. Dog made a return to its Philadelphia home studio to record its seventh album, Be The Void (Anti-). In MAGNET #85 (order a copy here), we talked to the group’s founding members, co-songwriters and vocalists Scott McMicken (guitar) and Toby Leaman (bass), about that journey, and what it takes to bring a band with a formidable label deal and a professional touring setup back to its DIY roots. One thing that has remained consistent in Dr. Dog’s music across its evolving career is a juxtaposition of existential, occasionally desperate lyrical concerns with exuberant pop songs. Dr. Dog keyboardist Zach Miller will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new Q&A with McMicken and Leaman.
Miller: Cotton Jones makes some great music. Of us, Scott’s the most familiar with them, but even my peripheral exposure to them is enough to recommend them. I’ve never seen them live, but a lot of their recordings have the dreamy quality of early My Morning Jacket. Really great songwriters and arrangements, too. And most of all they sound like they’re having fun; it’s just one of those playful bands that you can tell is having fun putting together sounds.
