The question about music movies usually is: Are they interesting because of the music or the movie? This year's Sound Unseen festival has a few of both.

In its seventh year, the festival of music 'n' movies runs Wednesday through Aug. 24, and there's a winner the first day: "Loudquietloud: A Film About the Pixies." The title comes from the '80s-'90s band's fondness for songs with soft verses and loud choruses — a pattern later adopted by Nirvana and countless other bands — and, sure enough, the movie alternates between moments of reflection and passion.

"Loudquietloud" documents the 2004 reunion of the band, which kicked off at Minneapolis' Fine Line Music Cafe (there are lots of audience shots so, yes, if you were there, you may be in the movie). The film boasts plenty of great music, including "Monkey Gone to Heaven," and it's fascinating to watch for signs of the discord that reportedly plagues the band but isn't much in evidence here.

Directors Steven Cantor and Matthew Galkin artfully edit the backstage footage, which includes singer Black Francis reciting affirmations and drummer David Lovering talking about being sober, while drinking.

The film will be shown three times, starting with 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis.

I was iffy on the music in "Downtown Locals," but that didn't keep me from enjoying this graceful documentary about seven folks who perform in New York subways. Puppets are alarmingly popular in this group, but, mostly, the puppets stay in the trunk. The film zeroes in on the difficulties and joys of performing, and brother/sister filmmakers Robin and Rory Muir smartly broaden their focus to include a cop whose job is busting buskers who don't follow the rules. Shown twice, the first time at Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minneapolis at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

How could you not love a dad/mom/preteen daughter act that sings songs inspired by vintage slides the mom picks up at flea markets? "Off and On Broadway: Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players" has maybe a bit too much music — I'm guessing the Trachtenberg's twee songs, which recall They Might Be Giants, work better live — but these three could not be more adorable. Famous fans David Cross and Regina Specktor, who are interviewed, agree. 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis.

Sound Unseen is showing lots of other films (accompanied by lots of live musical performances). Others include "The Big Lebowski," a bio of an indie music guru called "The Treasures of Long Gone John" and the profile of Chinese punkers, "Wasted Orient." I'd urge you to head toward those rather than the fourth movie I saw, "High Tech Soul," a talking-heads documentary that traces the roots of techno music to the streets of Detroit. The film is thorough and persuasive, but it completely misses the music's sense of fun. Shown twice, the first time at 10 p.m. Saturday at Bryant-Lake Bowl.

Chris Hewitt can be reached at chewitt@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5552. What: Sound Unseen festival

When: Wednesday-Aug. 24

Where: Several venues, including Bryant-Lake Bowl and the Riverview Theater, both in Minneapolis

Tickets: $15-$5

Online: soundunseen.com