"Ultimately, our friendship has to be more important to us than our music," says Ellington frontman Josh Taylor. "We believe in the importance of community, and we hope that sooner or later that message will come through all the noise we make." Ellington has been growing that community rather rapidly in the relatively short time they've been a band. What began as Josh, drummer Heath Attig and original bassist Adam Thompson playing for fun in an empty percussion lab at Trevecca Nazarene University, has grown into a serious, five-piece band packing out local Nashville Venues.
As Ellington replaced Adam with former Rachael Ferris bassist Rufus Ducote, brought on guitarist Kris Donegan, and keys player Heather Donegan, their sound developed into an often hard-rocking, yet ambient landscape, perfect for Taylor's thought-provoking lyrics.
Ellington has demonstrated a taste for good melodies and strong lyrics, but perhaps what sets them apart the most are their deliberate and careful arrangements.
"Our arranging grew out of necessity," says Attig, "we all come from very diverse musical backgrounds in pop, rock, jazz, classical, and really about everything. So, with all of the different colors available to us, we've really had to concentrate on creating space enough for everything to cut through."
When you look at Ellington as a whole, you see an attempt at honesty, understanding, and consistency.
"We feel like we have something to say, and we want to say it in every aspect of who we are: our personal relationships, our music, lyrics, and artwork, and even the way we conduct business," explains Taylor. "We really want to show people that while life can be dark, there is hope to be found if you're willing to look for it."
