Some songwriters are too good to ever stop sharing their talents with the world. And in an age when so many of the best have created wide networks and established their own brand of music, there’s essentially a system in place to encourage artists to stay at it even when their plans might change.

Even so, what a relief it was last fall when Scott McMicken shared that he was not only signed to ANTI- records, but that he had formed a new band of his own — Scott McMicken and THE-EVER-EXPANDING.

The news provided alleviation for the many fans of Dr. Dog, the great Philadelphia-based band that had over the course of two decades become a soulful force in the indie rock realm before announcing in 2021 that the group was done touring.

One of its two lead song scribes and vocalists, McMicken had unquestionably been on the rise for his work beyond the band, and the first album from his new project — appropriately titled Shabang — has put a major strut in the step of Dr. Dog devotees and newer fans who’d come around to the group late or perhaps gravitated toward McMicken himself in recent years.

Assembling a large, varied cast of mostly unfamiliar players for the recording of the new record, McMicken was able to call this Voltron-like monstrosity together again for the band’s first ever tour, a short run of four shows that will surely live on as some of the best he’s ever hosted.

In what was a special treat for those on hand at Union Stage in DC on April 21, McMicken led THE-EVER-EXPANDING through a remarkable, pleasing set that pulled almost exclusively from Shabang, showed off the incredible musicianship of this newly acquainted group of friends and reinforced that Scott is indeed a wildly creative songwriter with a rare acumen and advanced senses.

Stream Shabang, the new album from Scott McMicken and THE-EVER-EXPANDING, via Spotify:

There were more instruments on stage than the eyes could examine to start the night, and the color prism from the album — art that Scott designed with his wife, Leann — could be seen on one of his electric guitars and on what looked like a throwback MIDI controller with drum pads.

After his mates all settled into position and he himself finished tinkering with a few things, McMicken was ready: “Game on, folks,” he said at center stage.

Scott wore a toque, a striped shirt and tattered pair of work britches, and he was surrounded by talented people ready to grind along with him: drummer Nick Kinsey, pianist/organist Jared Samuel, keyboardist Zach Tenorio, percussionists Elizabeth Pupo-Walker and Neil Ochoa, electric guitarist Benny Yurco, and Michael Nau plucking the ukulele.

Nau, a widely regarded singer-songwriter out of Cumberland, Md., is the one person Scott had been close friends with long before the project. And though Yurco isn’t on the album, he was filling for Paul Castelluzzo. With the group rounded out by so many accomplished musicians, all of whom contributed to vocals, the group flourished through the set like a seasoned, synchronous squad, rather than one just recently formed.

While so much of the night would be a celebration of the group’s fascinating sound across a dynamic blend of original tunes, save for one unexpected cover, underneath it all was McMicken’s brilliant song crafting that helped make Dr. Dog one of the most adored and lasting bands of these times.

Starting the night with “Reconcile,” McMicken and his team coalesced through an especially unique mix of instrumentation that showed this and most songs to be adventurous and thoughtful in pursuit of uncommon melodies and grooves. Graced with Scott’s timeless, expressive voice — it seizes control of the listener’s consciousness — this and every track on the album translated to live magic at Union Stage on April 21.

“Another One,” a song Scott penned about overcoming creative hurdles, came to life in spectacular, swirling fashion, utilizing lesser seen devices like the wooden whistle, maracas, congas, and more to create an intrepid sense of continuation. And with the amusing “Restart,” the group conjured a vastly different texture altogether — pops, buzzes, boings perfectly timed with Scott as the abiding director.

Watch the official music video for Scott McMicken and THE-EVER-EXPANDING’s “Restart” via YouTube:

“It’s a real treat for us to play these songs to you, so thank you for helping us by coming out to see us,” he said. “Thanks, DC.”

While several members of the band moved about to handle different instruments, Scott rotated through an assortment that included acoustic and electric guitars and even doubled up on the wood flutes later in the night. He even floated what looked like a handcrafted noise maker similar to a wind chime, made of what looked like keys and jewels.

Tracks like “Mountain Lion,” however, did give McMicken the seams to show what he can do specifically on an electric guitar — he looked and sounded like a master of the instrument in giving this exotic jam a rich, bluesy touch at Union Stage. His eyes were closed as he yanked the strings, and his bandmates couldn’t help but smile in watching him go off as they each took part in making this song dazzle.

But a down-to-earth figure even with all of Dr. Dog’s success, Scott heaped praise on his team throughout the night, showing a genuine appreciation for each of them and their abilities.

“I’m so honored to play with these people,” he said. “This band is good. I can say that, alright. I’m allowed to say shit like that.”

McMicken called out Kinsey as vital to the band’s existence. Nick, who’d get up from the kit to bang a chest drum or move back to the percussion headquarters, is the person Scott enlisted to put the crew together in the first place.

“None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Nick,” Scott said of the respected drummer. “And … he’s my father.”

McMicken was playful, seemingly rejuvenated to be starting something so fresh and different and perhaps just to be having fun as a member of this gang. A winsome spirit that shined through in any Dr. Dog recording, he’s clearly attracted a crew of likeable people in looking to start the next chapter of his career.

Scott fondly recalled what led to the band’s head-turning name. Nau, with whom McMicken’s worked on numerous projects, was apparently the victim of an untimely and disruptive gear glitch of sorts. As a strange sonic interjection doomed that particular studio take, Scott somehow derived from the reverberation the name of the band: THE-EVER-EXPANDING.

A gorgeous piece of songwriting fit for some sort of modern-day fairytale, “Letters To The Editor” was a stunning example of McMicken’s grandeur as an impassioned lead vocalist and the peculiar beauty he illustrates with words.

The track pulling its name from the band’s, “Ever-Expanding” was a surreal amalgamation of instrumentation, a worldly sound that Scott said had roots in rumba and turned into an all-out bash at Union Stage. With so many different tools being used by players with varied backgrounds and influences, each song resonated as distinct and complex.

Watch the official music video for Scott McMicken and THE-EVER-EXPANDING’s “Diamonds In The Snow” via YouTube:

The room was treated to a couple of prospective songs the band has in the works, further reassurance that Scott will be sharing more new music in addition to helping run Press On Records, the tape cassette-focused label he co-founded and where he began putting out his own material in 2017.

The group worked through just about every song on the new album, including an aptly zany version of the title track and a delightful take on “Grateful,” another piece that hears Scott’s vocals at their most splendid.

McMicken and THE-EVER-EXPANDING covered the classic “Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum, perhaps a telling view into the band leader’s mind.

“Number One song ever?” Scott proposed, eyes widened for convincing effect.

The group was joined for several tracks by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jocie Adams of the night’s opening act, Arc Iris — Tenorio is also a member of the Providence-based band — and so THE-EVER-EXPANDING actually enlarged right in DC before Union Stage patrons.

And upon returning to stage to encore, the band delivered an unforgettable rendition of “Diamonds In The Snow,” a stirring, reflective masterpiece that should place this record — or tape — as one of the very best to grace 2023 thus far.

Despite the darkness of these strange times, one of the brightest lights in all of music has restored his shine. In different shapes and sizes, Scott McMicken will keep making music. But the form it has taken in THE-EVER-EXPANDING is nothing short of marvelous.

Setlist

Reconcile
Another One
Restart
What About Now
Mountain Lion
Ace In The Hole
Letters to the Editor
Ever-Expanding
In My Mind
Love Struck
Maria
Shabang
Grateful
Worried Mind
A Whiter Shade of Pale (Procol Harum cover)
All My Friends
Diamonds in the Snow

Here are images of Scott McMicken and THE-EVER-EXPANDING along with opening act Arc Iris performing at Union Stage the night of April 21, 2023. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Vock.

Arc Iris