Band provides energy at True/False Festival

Ellie Come Home played several times at the film festival.

By Jess Camp

Published March 6, 2007

As film viewers strolled from movie to movie this past weekend during the True/False Film Festival, they also had another option to break up the monotony between the array of documentary films.

But what is a good energizer for the crowd?

A live band, of course.

It gets the spectators pumped up and ready to have another movie-watching session.

Ellie Come Home, a local band that features a five-piece orchestra, took the stage Saturday night to keep the cinematic lovers occupied while they waited for a movie to start.

Onlookers said they liked this change of entertainment.

"I think it improves the atmosphere," freshman Dalena Hardy said. "It draws in the audience's attention."

Kevin McHugh, a man who looked like he could be your dad — if your dad is the type who seems cultured and attends artsy film fests — said he thought music wasn't necessary between the movies, but he preferred it over just sitting there.

McHugh had seen the band earlier in the day when it performed between a different pair of movies.

"I think they're great," he said. "They sound like Rachel's."

Pianist Seth Ashley said his band's musical inspiration is drawn from Rachel's, a jazzy rock band, so McHugh was correct with his observation.

MU graduate Carolina Ebeid said she enjoyed the band's performance.

"I think this is absolutely necessary," she said. "It would be chaotic without them."

Ellie Come Home consists of a violinist, a cellist, a pianist, a guitarist and a drummer.

At Saturday's show, though, only the pianist, violinist and cellist performed.

Violinist Maura Dunst said Saturday's show was different than most of the shows they put on.

"Usually we have drums and a bass, and most of what we play is louder and more upbeat," she said. "Due to both the lack of drums and song choice, this show is more mellow."

Ashley said the band played at last year's True/False, and that is how they got the gig again.

"We're volunteers, but it's awesome playing," Ashley said.

Although they might not get paid, the members do sometimes get free movie tickets.

"Space permitting, they let us in," Dunst said. "But we are the last let in."

Ashley and Dunst agreed that this year's festival was busier than last year's.

Hardy, who had never heard the band's music before, said the performance was enjoyable.

"It's relaxing music," she said.

Ebeid, who had never heard the band play before either, said she was captivated by their music: "I'm in rapture. It's beautiful."