McAllen band tastes fame at SXSW
Five friends from McAllen have landed in the spotlight at the world's largest music conference.
In front of about 100 fans, they play a powerful 30-minute set. They stand atop a lofty 10-foot stage as spectators watch from the floor and balcony at the two-story Ace's Lounge on Sixth Street. The group finishes a song, and the crowd cheers. The lead singer leans toward the microphone.
"Thank you," he says in a meek mumble, a major contrast from his powerful, booming vocals. He trips over a few words before managing, "and we're from McAllen, Texas."
- HEAR WHAT DIGNAN SOUNDS LIKE ON WWW.FESTIVAROCKS.COM
The venue erupts in cheers. It's the first night of South by Southwest in Austin, and throughout the next four days roughly 2,000 bands from 50 countries will play. It has happened every March for 23 years, launching unknowns to stardom while hosting some of music's biggest acts, such as Metallica, Kanye West and Jane's Addiction, who all performed at this year's show.
But McAllen's Dignan dominated on the first night, if only for 30 minutes. Every displaced Valley native appeared to emerge to support the hometown band. And why not? It's rare that a group from McAllen plays South by Southwest, much less a prominent showcase on the first night. But Dignan did it, despite a hometown void of music industry exposure.
Dignan's set ends. The band has seconds to clear the stage. They hustle their instruments away as a barrage of people approache them. These smiling music fans shower the group with hugs, back slaps and handshakes.
I watch the scene unfold from a couch in the back. About a half dozen people buy Dignan's latest EP from the merchandise table, all paying cash despite the group offering it for an optional donation.
Bass player Devin Garcia walks by, his eyes scanning the scene rapidly. I tap him on the shoulder, asking how it felt to be up there.
"It was really incredible; we're just happy to be a part of-" he says, stopping mid-sentence when a photographer asks if he and the band will step upstairs for a photo. "Sorry, excuse me for a second."
Devin estimates he slept for just eight and a half hours during their time at South by Southwest. Dignan spent half a decade working for this accolade, and there's no sense in sleeping through it.
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Dignan started out using the typical rock band ingredients: guitar, bass, drums and a keyboard. But a few years ago they introduced an "x" factor.
Davey Palomo would tour with the band occasionally and sell merchandise. Then they asked him to join "and bang on stuff," he says. He agreed. Davey now enhances the sound with xylophone, trumpet or accordion, depending on what song the band plays. It's a perfect addition to Dignan's sweeping vocals and crashing percussions.
The band's music resembles a wave on a choppy day at the beach. It starts small, hinting at something grandiose and majestic, but it doesn't reveal its full scope until it's upon you. Before you realize what is happening, it has swept you up and you can't escape. You don't want to.
Dignan's strongest songs build toward a slow, towering crescendo. Lead singer and guitarist Andy Peña belts personal lyrics, capturing deep, universal themes. The songs address feuds with close friends and longings for affection.
Backup vocals come from keyboard player Heidi Plueger and Davey. The added harmony bolsters the sound to regal levels, particularly when Davey plays xylophone or trumpet. Dignan deserves comparisons to Arcade Fire, and less accurately Modest Mouse or The Shins.
Patrick Garcia co-owns Valley-based promotion company Goodbar Loves You, and he often books Dignan to open for larger bands from out of town. He calls the group a stand out amid a local music scene wrought with copycat bands. How many other bands have a trumpet player/accordion player/xylophone player/guy to bang on stuff?
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Lead singer Andy, 22, and bassist Devin, 21, started playing music together in 2002 before they had driver's licenses. They played late night sessions in the confines of McAllen's Church of the Living Word.
They learned the basics of musicianship, copying popular music. They became confident in their skills, switching to original song writing. They then added more band members, who have all left the band and been replaced. And they eventually started booking shows. In 2005 they became Dignan, named after Owen Wilson's character in the film Bottle Rocket.
At a show, Andy and Devin met Heidi, a 27-year-old Seattle-native attending school at Rio Grande Bible Study Institute in Edinburg. She joined to play keyboard, moving to McAllen permanently and quitting school. Leaving academics to join Dignan is common. Davey, 26, stopped his graphic design studies at the University of Texas-Pan American, and drummer Trey Perez, 21, passed up the University of Texas in Austin, where he had been accepted.
In the past two years, the group has toured the country, excluding California. They've played in major markets Chicago, New York City and Dallas. They headlined a festival in South Carolina, and they drew 400 fans to a show in Bushnell, Ill., a hamlet wrapped in a cornfield.
They often crash on floors while touring, a sacrifice that has paid off; Dignan's most recent road trip earned the band $3,500 of profit. But without question, the biggest measure of success was acceptance to South by Southwest.
Sponsors showered free swag upon them -drinks, massages and shoes. South by Southwest interviewed them for its Web site, and they met record industry folks, bands and fans, all no doubt excited for the band's new set of songs due in June.
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The night before South by Southwest, Dignan has booked a local show.
They open for Anathallo, a Chicago band often praised by music bloggers. The band will play before them at McAllen's Creative Incubator, a former south side elementary school recently converted to city-funded, low cost studio space for artists.
Dignan shows no signs of South by Southwest jitters, possibly because they have thoroughly tapered expectations.
Do they think they'll get signed to a major label? Probably not with the music industry's current financial woes, caused largely by illegal downloads. Will a legion of new Dignan fans emerge? The band would be happy with a dozen. So what's the ultimate goal for South by Southwest? Dignan wants to hang with friends and enjoy the experience.
But first, the band must play at the Incubator. More than 100 people have bought tickets, a massive crowd by the venue's standards. Andy and Devin help their mothers find seats. Sound check ends, and the band starts to play.
Dignan's hometown fans know the songs, dancing and singing in front of the stage. A group of unfamiliar strangers stand in the back of the room. It's Anathallo, and they have come to watch the opening group.
Trombone player and vocalist Brett Wallin bobs his head as Dignan plays. It's another show by Good Bar Loves You, and, as usual, ticket taker Victor Ituarte stands on a chair near the door, hoisting a sign above his head that says "free hugs." Anathallo's Wallin heads for the exit during the last song, stopping to speak with the free hugs guy.
"That's a good band," he says. "That's a damn good band."
The crowd cheers as Dignan ends its set. Wallin takes one more look at them.
"That's a world class talent."
The lights go out, and Dignan leaves the stage. In a few hours, they will drive north to Austin, where the world awaits them.
Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for Festiva. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.
