Editor’s Note: This is the first article in what will be our regular column covering San Angelo’s night life and live music scene by Will McDaniel
When I was hired to write a night life column for The Concho Democrat, there was no question the venue I would cover first—The House of Fifi DuBois. It was Valentine’s weekend. Lynn Massey and Justice played on Friday night, and 12 Mile with September Moon played Saturday. I can come up with lots of reasons not to go out—except for my love of music. Music draws me out. Oftentimes my peers lament the lack of excitement in our town. So, any place where people gather to sing and dance and play is worthy of our attention. There is plenty to report on by simply getting out there.
Lynn Massey & Justice At The House of Fifi DuBois
When I arrived at The House of Fifi DuBois, the wind carried the smell of roses. It was too good to be true, especially on Valentine’s Day. A deep wave of flowery smell rushed through the air, almost like someone had gone sprinkling rose water around the streets.
The House of Fifi Dubois was decked out in red lights and classic pop decor. Lynn Massey and Justice, a western swing band was playing. The unofficial dress code is a bright red button up shirt, black boots, and a fine hat. Couples are two-stepping and spinning around the white-wood dancefloor. The couples gently swayed to “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, then went straight into a pretty fast swing number.
As a bassist, I noticed all the instruments, including the gorgeous Pedal Steel, which looked and sounded like a million bucks. Danny Edwards plays a Music Man five-string bass, which is rare in western/swing music. Typically, a four-string “Fender-style” is in order.
“I played a four-string for 20 years, but a friend introduced me to the five-string, and I went up to Wichita Falls to see this one,” Edwards said. “The neck is so smooth, plus it’s easier on my shoulders.” The deep range of the five-string and the maple drum kit rounds out the rhythm section.
Couples tooke turns with refreshments, then got back to the dance floor for another whirl. I asked the bartender, Erin, what the most popular order was. “Besides domestic beer, green tea shots,” she said. A cup of cold beer is two dollars at Fifi’s.
Everyone Is Here To Dance
About half the crowd is dancing.
I love watching couples dancing, holding each other close—the swaying of their hips, the red light, the white wood dance floor. I wonder what they are whispering to each other.
One couple in matching red T-shirts was about to dance. I saw her get up, and gently pull on his arm, then they were off, dancing. Dancing with a capital “D” dancing. I was envious, frankly.
They loved each other deeply, and had been together a while; you could see it in the way they moved. I thought about how much fun they’re having.
Saturday – A Green Tea Shot Before The Show
September Moon opened for 12 Mile Saturday night. I arrived at The House of Fifi Dubois early and staked out a seat at the bar. While I scribble in my notebook, a lady comes up and starts rifling through her purse.
“Don’t worry I’m not gonna make you move,” she says, trying to catch some of the light so she can find what she’s after. I introduce myself.
“Oh yeah you’re the camera guy, you’re here all the time, I should know by now. You’re here every time 12 Mile plays.” This brings me some joy; I take this as a testament to how friendly everyone is at Fifi’s.
I order a green tea shot which, to my surprise, tasted exactly like Lipton green tea. I have a great fondness for green tea. So the existence of this shot could pose a problem for my reporting abilities.
Toni, the owner, runs a very tight ship. Manning the soundboard and lights. The first act arrives on stage, and she helps them settle in, making final adjustments to microphone stands and speakers, before returning to the soundboard and the MC stand at the back of the house.
“Did you all survive Valentine’s day?” she asks as we settle in for the show.
September Moon and 12 Mile both put on a very cool performance. The sound was rocking modern Nashville country followed by a really solid classic red dirt style. Members of both bands we’re all well acquainted with lots of the audience members, getting in and mixing with everyone after the show. It was a very nice evening to be out listening and watching.
The Best Sound at Fifi’s
I make my way out to the front porch where two women are sharing a break from the bustle. They look like they could possibly be sisters. We chat a little bit and they ask me why I’m carrying the camera around my shoulder. I tell them that I’m out taking notes for a night life column I’m writing.
“Oh I see,” says the first woman, quite intrigued “so, tell me…” growing deadly serious now, “What are you trying to do? What is your goal?” She has the tone of someone who is deeply interested in your life, maybe in the kind of way a teacher might inquire about your intentions.
“I mean, what are you trying to achieve exactly? To capture the moment? Do you want to get people to go out there and do it? To get people through the door? What are your intentions?”
“Uh, yes.” I say, unprepared to really give a definitive answer. I’m a little unsure myself.
“Well,” she tells me “if you want people to get out there and do it, you gotta tell them where the sound is the best!”
“And where is the best sound in Fifi’s?”
“Right up front, right behind the dance floor, and then the floor itself, that’s the best sound in the house.” And of course, right in the direction of Toni’s soundboard, the best place to be able to monitor the atmosphere completely.
I thank her for the advice and head back inside.
“I’m actually a writer!” She says.
“Oh wow, that’s so cool!” I reply and turn to her companion who has a look of disbelief on her face.
“She’s a vet tech.”
That lady is a writer. We’re all writers.
Backstage At The House of Fifi Dubois
After the opening set, I catch the lead singer of September Moon as she shakes hands and greets the happy audience. I get the chance to go back to the Speakeasy and chat with the band.
Katherine and Daniel Brown, lead singer/guitar and rhythm guitar respectively, both play Taylor guitars. Marc Miralez plays drums, and Mo Stevens on bass guitar. Sitting down, Marc jokingly takes a seat on Mo’s lap. Typical rhythm section antics, but we all agree that a good rhythm section should be joined at the hip.
Katherine and Danny started out playing open mics and acoustic shows, before getting hooked on the full band experience. Katherine tells me her first memory of live music was a Pantera show as a toddler, tagging along with her dad.
“At that time, it was totally cool to bring your kid to the bar,” she said. “I know that’s frowned upon these days, but it was fun, and I got to grow up around live music.” Memories recounted in “Bar I Grew Up In” which the band unanimously agrees is the track they were all looking forward to playing.
Pantera, Heavy Metal And Gospel Influences
Miralez relates to Katherine’s story. He too is a fan of Pantera, and grew up listening and playing heavy metal and rock.
“I started playing drums when I was seven,” he said. “My buddy across the street and I got together. My uncle played drums and taught me how to play, and his dad taught him guitar.”
Daniel’s first musical memories were of gospel quartet.
“My grandmother played piano, and I would nap underneath while she played. My grandma would play, then my dad would join in playing gospel quartet. I’m a pastor’s kid, so I grew up in worship teams doing whatever they needed.”
Likewise, Stevens grew up in a musical family.
“Starting on stage with my dad, he was a bass player, and they started me with the fiddle, so I started taking lessons when I was three. 25 years now, so I’ve been playing my whole life.”
Feeling The Music
Bass guitars, and standard guitars, are tuned in 4ths, and violins in 5ths, so I wonder if this change in thinking impacted the way he felt the music.
“I never really saw it like that, I just follow the music. Once you hear how the songs are played, how they change, you can feel what’s coming.”
His answer reveals, in a way, a deep understanding of music, something that really only comes from a lifetime of practice. The actual changes involved in music have nothing to do with what instrument you play, but rather a deeper understanding of the relationships each chord has with other chords.
This implies that a cerebral understanding of music misses what it’s really all about. That maybe over thinking it makes you lose some of that magic. Playing the song, and making people get out there and do it, to dance.
“It’s cliche but you really do play the same for a crowd of two or two hundred,” says Katherine, “you really have to know your audience.”
After six years together, the band has two albums out, one on Spotify, and a third one in the works, and are signed to Mesquite St. Records. You can catch them at the Fort Worth Music Festival, March 1st.
Dancing At The House Of Fifi Dubois
The House of Fifi DuBois is known for dancing. Fifi’s dance floor is the main attraction according to the patrons I spoke with. The bar itself was totally covered up, and I managed to slip into a booth that I thought was unoccupied. Sitting at the far corner was a good friend of mine, Bryan, and his date Chloe. We strike up our typical conversation.
“There’s no place like this in town,” He says, twirling his handlebar mustache. “People are here to dance, you can ask anyone here to dance. Anyone.”
“Are you sure about that?” I ask, doubtful, memories of a rejected dance echoing in my mind.
“To quote an old movie,” he says “everybody gets to die, not everyone gets to live.”
Over the next few songs, Chloe and Bryan are talking me into going out and dancing. And in my mind I’ve already know that I want to, but I wonder if they are lying to me somehow and would it actually be awkward and uncomfortable. I just don’t dance, its not my thing. And some of these people are really good, and really fast.
Finally, the band begins a slower tune.
Peer Pressure
“You should go ask one of those girls to dance.” says Chloe. I look over and accept that I’m going to do it, I’m going to get onto that floor and dance. Not next time, this time, let’s see what it’s all about.
“I’ll go up and introduce you,” and she leans over to the next booth to ask on my behalf. Suddenly, I head for the dance floor. We greet each other, and she gives me some simple instructions.
I Learn How To Two-Step All Over Again
The last time I two-stepped was in 4th grade. So, I was a little rusty. I started to loosen up a bit, and then the steps came naturally. In a few moments of going around and around, I realized that I needed to be steering the ship a little bit more as we almost crashed into the beam in the middle of the room. And then the traffic started to arrive. It felt a bit like driving in a roundabout, trying to find the next available lane.
I noticed quickly that the more I was thinking, the worse I was dancing. She was very patient as I almost stepped on her shoes a few more times, and things started to make more and more sense. I have to say that twirling did prove a little more difficult but it’s my favorite move.
The song is over, we thank each other for the dance and the instruction, and I go back to my booth, where Bryan and Chloe cheered me on. They were right, you can dance with anyone at Fifi’s. Whatever your anxieties are, fear not, just watch the traffic, and try not to scuff their sneakers up.
It was a great weekend of fun at The House of Fifi Dubois, and I look forward to my next night out, and my next column. If you have ideas for this column or bands or venues you would like to see featured, please get it in touch by emailing editor@conchodemocrat.com
