Dr. Dog, Tonight @ Marathon Music Works

There’s still time to catch the daytime session of East Nashville Underground if you head over soon (kicks off at 1PM)! If you’re looking for a change of pace this evening though, I recommend you should check out my This Weekend in Nashville Saturday pick, Dr. Dog at Marathon Music Works.

They’ve gone from a lo-fi alt/indie band to more of a psychedelic, retro, poppy sound over their constantly evolutionary decade of releases (7 full-lengths now). Not only has the band pushed and updated their artistic vision and musical direction, but, never content with just being great, Dr. Dog has strived to hone and improve their live show over many, many years of constant touring (and countless festival appearances). As a result, Dr. Dog has really become a musical force to be reckoned with. Their albums are a perfect harmony of old and new, progressive yet grounded, melodic and focused, and full of top-notch, fun rock songs. Their show takes these great songs and adds a new dimension to them, with sharp, larger than life delivery and added emotional weight. Their performance balances refined impressive musicality with feel-good, danceable aesthetics. Some fans will, perhaps, grumble about the band’s musical direction on recent releases but there’s no thing no one will deny: there’s nothing quite like a Dr. Dog show.

Direct support will be provided by Cotton Jones. Based out of Maryland, this husband and wife-fronted folk band blends elements of dreamy pop and indie rock and presents them in a haunting and melodic lo-fi delivery that isn’t quite like anyone else. Imagine Fleet Foxes sent back in a time machine.

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Opening the show, Nashville native Ri¢hie (Richie Kirkpatrick) channels perhaps some of the weirder elements of showmates Dr. Dog. Psychedelic garage rock with the occasional dose of western twang thrown in (and the same penchant for ’60s aesthetics as the other bands on the bill), Ri¢hie is a fantastic up and comer and a perfect choice to round out the lineup.

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Dr. Dog, Cotton Jones, and Ri¢hie perform tonight at Marathon Music Works. The show begins at 8PM (doors at 7PM) and tickets are still available here.