Dr. Dog: the news is out

(Credit: Anti Records)

My Morning Jacket leader Jim James “discovered” Dr. Dog about five years ago. Since then, the Philadelphia-based quintet has steadily climbed the indie ranks with a superbly rich, retro sound that recalls such colossal acts as the Band, the Beach Boys and the Beatles.

Dr. Dog’s past two albums, 2007’s “We All Belong” and last year’s “Fate” were both critical and, relatively speaking, commercial successes, issued by tiny, New Orleans-based label Park the Van. Anti Records, purveyor of major albums by such diverse acts as Tom Waits, Neko Case and Nick Cave, signed Dr. Dog in July. The band is already hard at work on their Anti debut, due out in early 2010.

“I’m in Philly, at our studio, standing outside,” says singer-guitarist Scott McMicken by phone. “We’re just practicing some songs and recording.” In addition to recording on their home turf, the band worked at Dreamland Studios in upstate New York with producer Rob Schnapf, whose other collaborators include Beck and the late, great Elliott Smith.

During a lengthy interview, McMicken discussed everything from the theme of the new record to a recent breakup. He explained why he no longer drinks, and expressed admiration for former tour-mates James, Jeff Tweedy and Jack White.

You’re now labelmates with some extremely cool acts. If you could record with one of them, who would it be?
Hands down, no questions asked, Tom Waits. Tom Waits is majorly loved by our band. He’s the real deal, a real artist and a real oddball. [Laughs]

How far along are you in recording your Anti debut?
We’re really far long. We have been recording for the last six to seven weeks solid. We should be done in November.

Do you have an album title in mind?
“Shame, Shame”; it is the name of one of the songs. It includes the general idea we’re trying to put forth on the record. It has to do with certain aspects of relationships. But not specifically romantic, love relationships—relationships with yourself. How comfortable or uncomfortable you are with yourself. How responsible you are with yourself. On the song “Shame, Shame,” the character goes through stages of self-doubt and then something comes into his life and he’s a changed man.

Speaking of relationships, do you have a girlfriend?
I don’t. I did for a really long time. That stopped. Her and I, we’re really close. It kind of had a surprisingly pleasant end. [Bassist/singer Toby Leaman] has been married happily for four years. All the other guys in the band are happily paired off and living with their girlfriends. It’s a hard thing. When we met and started being together, there was no touring—there wasn’t this insanely demanding part of our life. It started as one thing in my relationship and then got really bad. Then we settled in and accepted it. There has to be a change in people’s expectations. They have to change and we have to compromise. Now, it’s acceptable if someone in the band says, “I can’t come and practice; I have to hang out with my girl.”

Dr. Dog has done just about all the late night shows: Letterman, Conan, Craig Ferguson and Jimmy Fallon. What’s it like watching yourself on TV?
The whole experience of those shows—from playing to watching them—is very exhilarating. The wires cross in your brain. You have been watching these shows for years and have all these preconceived notions and it all gets blown apart. It’s really a base-level thrill.

You’ve toured with My Morning Jacket, the Raconteurs and many other major acts. Who’s the coolest rock star you’ve met?
Man, I have met so many really awesome inspiring people. My Morning Jacket first took us on the road back [in 2004] when we were a barely functioning band. We were just existing making these little recordings, one of which I gave to Jim [James]. He taught us to just play our songs, forced us to buckle down. I was already a fan of them and in my ignorance, just assumed there would be rock-star excess. But these guys were just making dumb jokes [laughs], totally normal people.

Jack White is probably the biggest rock star dude we toured with. He’s so flamboyant, the way he acts and dresses—he really embraces his stardom. I thought for sure we were in for a weird, haunted hayride. [Laughs] But he’s a totally straight-laced, sober guy. That’s when I realized this is all just about working hard. He’s not coming from some mythical land. That guy works really hard to be Jack White.

Jeff Tweedy is just an incredibly wonderful, real person. Getting to know Tweedy, he’s such an un-rock star—watching him live his life, with his son, it only sheds more beauty on his music.

Tweedy successfully battled painkiller addiction. You’re an artist and strike me as an intense person; how do you unwind?
To be perfectly honest, I am a wound up person. But drugs and alcohol are not an option. I have been down that road. I know what lies in that route. I slip up sometimes, though. I quit drinking at 24. I’m 30 now. I had become an unhealthy person. By the time we started touring, I had been to A.A. meetings. Sometimes I get weak. It’s terrible. I’m not a drunk who starts fights or takes my clothes off. It just gets me depressed. I’m not interested in drugs, just the occasional psychedelic experience—or some weed here and there. [Laughs] For unwinding, I go to hobbies. I really like to draw and knit—to keep my mind busy, and my hands occupied.