The IU Cinema has had a great track record hosting live accompaniment and composers for its presentation of silent films. Films such as Blackmail, Metropolis and The General have all gotten the live orchestral treatment under the IU Cinema roof. However, this past year the cinema invited a group of musicians that had a little something different to offer to the cinematic soundscape.
Based out of Boston, Alloy Orchestra is a trio of musicians who bring a very unique blend of musical styles and instruments. They recently performed at the IU Cinema for a two day engagement back in late September and early October where they performed original music for the film Varieté and a shorts program curated by the band itself called Not Just for Kids. I had the pleasure to sit down and talk to them about their beginnings, influences, process, and what it is like to bring a new dimension to underseen and classic films. This interview was originally done for WFIU’s profiles and edited down to 22 minutes. What I present here is a more extensive 40 minute version of the same conversation.
Sound of Silents: Alloy Orchestra included Varieté on September 30, 2016 and Not Just for Kids short film program on October 1, 2016.
David Carter is a film lover and a menace. He plays jazz from time to time but asks you not to hold that against him. His taste in movies bounces from Speed Racer to The Holy Mountain and everything in between.