From left to right: Brian LaRue, Josh Niese, Eric Wheatley and Erica Keene. Photo credit: Heidi Barger

Music is a universal language. It is the one medium that has the ability to touch everyone in the world in a unique and meaningful way. At least, that is what UF students Erica Keene, Josh Niese, Eric Wheatley and community member Brian LaRue, members of Truth Be Told/Eirene (pronounced like the name Irene) band, believe to be true and hope to achieve with their music.

The band, which is in the process of changing its name to Eirene, a Greek word meaning “peace,” writes its own material. Keene plays acoustic guitar and sings lead vocals while Niese keeps the beat on the drums, and Wheatley plays bass and contributes to vocals along with LaRue on electric guitar.

According to Niese, “the band has four original songs, and we are collaborating to write more.” Niese and Wheatley both agree that the band’s sound is “a combination of alternative, pop, punk and rock.”

The band members became acquainted through their involvement in Thursday Night Live (TNL), an on-campus contemporary praise and worship service. After two years of playing for the crowd at TNL in Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Keene received an e-mail from a new record label and wanted to submit a demo tape but was in need of a back-up band. She asked the guys to join her, and as the saying goes, the rest is history.

Since they came together as Truth Be Told/Eirene last year, the group members have managed to coordinate their schedules and combine their passions to perform some gigs. They have performed at churches, youth groups and coffee houses in Ohio and surrounding states. They have done all of this on top of pursuing degrees at UF and working. Keene and Niese are pursuing degrees in education, and Wheatley is pursuing a degree in communication. LaRue works full time.

In May, the band traveled to Nashville to audition with the Christian Music Presenters and gained the label’s endorsement. “This endorsement just puts their name on us and gives us some credibility as a new band. It also registers us on their Web site so people can book us for their shows,” said Keene.

Truth Be Told/Eirene members feel that God brought them together for a purpose, and they must continue their journey together to fully achieve their potential while also pursuing their individual dreams. “We get along so well because of our commitment to God and our desire to make Him famous and not us,” said Keene. Niese added, “We want to continue to play music that not only pleases God but also allows us to express ourselves and put a little bit of ourselves in each song. We want to create unity and tranquility and come together to worship Him through song and influence.”

Truth Be Told/Eirene can be seen from 7-10 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Oiler Block Party, sponsored by Residence Life, on the Cory Street Mall.

By Kim Haddix ’07, M ’08, Fostoria, Ohio