When thinking about the Nashville independent scene, it’s natural to include bands from surrounding suburbs – Franklin, Murfreesboro, Antioch, etc. However, Cookeville, TN is often left out of that consideration. At about a 90-minute drive, it’s nestled halfway between Nashville and Knoxville – a tough drive for a quick show from either direction but, as a college town, a strong candidate for musician’s to bond together and thrive in their own scene. Looking at the artists self-identifying as Cookeville based over on Bandcamp, there is definitely a scene happening over there worth keeping an eye on. One recent release from the area leaving quite an impression is The Dog’s Body recent full-length Deer of Wisdom.
Released via Gezellig Records, Deer of Wisdom is a Southern rock record at its core. Not in the way that Skynyrd or The Black Crowes are Southern Rock but in the way that Drive-By Truckers, Glossary and Deer Tick embody the genre – personal lyrics reflecting Southern hardships fused with a unique blend of guitars and emphatic melancholy. Listening through the record a few times, every track on the record exemplifies this balance if you’re open to actively listening through the lyrics.
Musically, the album fuses together a delightfully wide range of modern rock influences from the last 25 years. The punk rock blast of “New Moons”, the chuggy rock anthem of “Skeletons”, the sweaty unfurling of “Adderall” and the buoyancy of “Little Sins” are all part of a larger tapestry of that keep the record interesting start to finish.
Rock music of any genre is not easy in 2025. It’s a format that’s been done to death and often comes with a serious lack of authenticity. Maybe emerging from Cookeville solves that problem? The distance from larger metro areas is a both a burden and a boon but it creates an opportunity to create something unique to The Dog’s Body own yet immediately familiar. Whatever it is, Deer of Wisdom is a reminder to keep paying attention.