I’m an eighteen-year- old music journalist who pretty much sucks at everything I do.  I do nothing with my life but go to shows.  Lord, how I live for shows.  I travel hours and hours to reach certain destinations and cities to go to shows and experience the feeling of live music.

 This past year, I journeyed on to my first year of college.  Going to a private university that I did not even want to attend, I made the best of it by making myself friendly with the music venues.  I love San Antonio, but the music scene up here is horrible.  And I hate even mentioning the word “music” and “scene” within the same sentence, but I’m being completely honest  with the music style  (I dig that word better) that San Antonio has to offer.  Don’t g get me wrong, there are a few local bands from here that have some talent.  But for the most part, I do not fancy it all that much. 

I matured as a human being while listening to Dignan.  Dignan is this beautiful five-piece band from McAllen, Texas.  They play the most harmonic and melodic tunes that anybody will ever hear.  (My father even loves their sound.  Come on now!)  Being in San Antonio separated Dignan and I a good four hours.  However, that didn’t stop me to seeing and hearing them.  I’d travel during the school week to see them and drive four hours in the wee hours of the night to make it to class the next morning.  Dignan is the one band that I’d do anything for.  They have molded me so much that I can’t even begin to explain.

It’s 2:02 in the morning as I sit in front of this computer and ramble on run-on sentences.  I’m sorry for my lack of correct grammar.  My weekly migraine decided to barge in on me today and keep my mind company.  There I go again- I’m getting off topic.

About an hour ago, I was at Sam’s Burger Joint listening to Dignan.  Right in front of lead singer, Andy Pena, mic as always, I stood there swaying side to side- more than likely looking like an idiot with uncontrollable spasms- and everything in my life felt right.  How many times does every SINGLE thing in a person’s life feel right?  Maybe it’s just me, but I hardly EVER feel that way.  And last night/ this morning, everything felt perfect.

It was Trey Perez, the drummer, last night to perform with Dignan.  He is pursuing his education and attend college in Austin.  Maybe that’s what did it.  The whole this-is-the-last-time-I’ll-hear-Trey-live momentum.  I swear for a second, I wanted to cry when they played their last song.  I thought to myself, “This can’t be his last performance.  Trey IS Dignan.  He belongs with Dignan.  Dignan can’t be Dignan without him”.  And then I realized, I felt the exact same way with Dignan’s former drummer too.  Except, I didn’t see Dignan live when the other drummer was there.  I started seeing them when Trey was there.  And I felt as if Trey grew with me; as my mind and soul grew with him being there.  That was taken away from me tonight. 

I’m not too sure where I’m getting with this.  I mainly wanted to state that tonight’s show was beyond amazing.  It was beautiful.  As always, their energy and passion took over the crowd.  My Lord, I love Dignan so much.  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain to a person how much I love them and how much they have changed me. 

I’m a college student who has a lot on my mind.  From my future to lack of future to ex lovers and  everything in between, it consumes my life.  I drown in my thoughts.  But, seeing and hearing Dignan live…that takes it all away.  I swear, it does.  During their set, not a single unhappy thought races through my mind.  My future has vanished.  My misery of being single and lonely has vanished.  It all vanishes.  Dignan is the unconditional love that is sent from some sort of high heaven to guide me.  I know I cannot possibly be the only person who feels this way about them.  And if I am, then hell, I sure am sounding like some crazy fangirl.  Really, though, if you haven’t already-PLEASE give Dignan a listen.  There music is something so beautiful that every person must hear before they die.

I want every person who reads this to give them a listen.  If you aren’t willing to cough up some bucks, I will personally e-mail you some of their tracks so you can experience the true joy that Dignan has to offer.  It’s an offer you can’t refuse.

They are currently about to start their tour with O’brother (in which is another band you will be reading an article from sometime soon).  Definitely check out the dates and locations.  If you are by the area, go out and support them.  Both bands put on mind blowing performances. 

Dignan & O’brother tour dates:

Aug 27 – New Bern, NC @ Broad Street Music
Aug 28 – Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
Aug 29 – Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Hall
Aug 30 – Greenville, SC @ The Channel
Aug 31 – Greenwood, SC @ Homemade Genius
Sept 01 – Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
Sept 02 – Atlanta, GA @ The Wonderroot
Sept 03 – Milledgeville, GA @ Buffington’s
Sept 04 – Macon, GA @ Cafe 567
Sept 05 – Columbus, GA @ Gallery 13
Sept 06 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
Sept 07 – Tallahassee, FL @ TBA
Sept 08 – Fort Walton, FL @ TBA
Sept 09 – Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box
Sept 10 – Pensacola, FL @ Sluggos
Sept 11 – Hanceville, AL @ Space Camp Festival
Sept 12 – Hattiesburg, MS @ 1126 House
Sept 13 – Louisiana @ TBA
Sept 14 – Louisiana @ TBA
Sept 15 – Shreveport, LA @ TBA
Sept 16 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
Sept 17 – Waco, TX @ Common Grounds
Sept 18 – Dallas, TX @ Mokah
Sept 19 – San Antonio, TX @ The Ten Eleven

 Check out Dignan on MYSPACE

and TWITTER

By Krista