ELK CITY haunts on Patti Smith-esque 'Floating Above The Water', latest taster of new 'Above The Water' LP

January 19, 2023

Elk City’s cool and elegant sound draws on 1980s “dream pop” and bits of 1960s folk-rock" ~ The New York Times

"This music is sophisticated – vivacious, harmonious and memorable due to many factors, not least of all is the remarkable vocal timbre and convincing delivery of vocalist Renée LoBue, recalling Eddie Brickell at times and Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick at others" ~ Music-News.com

"A formidable offering... animated, brazen and effervescent. LoBue’s commanding vocals are the icing on the cake, making for a highly infectious track" ~ The Spill Magazine

"White-hot, catchy and propels the listener ahead in forward motion... with a vocal timbre somewhere in the midst of Chrissie Hynde, Blondie and Patti Smith" ~ The Record Stache

Art pop band Elk City presents their new video for 'Floating Above The Water', a trippy chill track from their new 'Above The Water' album, out now via Magic Door Record Label. Performed live at Union Pool in Brooklyn, this video was recorded and filmed by H. Robert Escurel.

Some bands have that striped-sunlight sound; Elk City has that moon-reflecting-on-the-water sound. It’s always nighttime in Elk City - the same nighttime where Big Star liked to see the people. The same nighttime where, every so often, that ol’ killing moon comes too soon. Elk City's 'Above the Water' LP is that particular stripe of evocative post-everything rock ‘n’ roll, exalted and earthy at once, revelling in the joy of experience. Because that’s exactly how these songs got written in the first place - the band jammed until they existed.

Drummer-producer Ray Ketchem and vocalist-artist Renée LoBue have helmed Elk City since 2000, opening new chapters into their sound across 5 albums and 3 EPs. But with their 2022 LP, Above the Water, they’ve abandoned the script altogether, and that has everything to do with the group’s current lineup, which features guitarists Sean Eden (Luna), Chris Robertson (Psychedelic Furs side project Feed) and bassist Richard Baluyut (Versus).

Renée LoBue says: “The lyrics to “Floating Above the Water” are partially a nod to my favorite cult documentary 'The Source Family' - “There are homes we can live in. There are names we were given.” In a broader sense, it’s a call to float or rise above immersive illusions of the material world. Ultimately, it’s about expansion; remaining psyched (pun intended) about the continual journey of seeking that which opens doors to a soul’s unfolding.”

This single following their Suzanne Vega-esque confessional single 'Apology Song', upbeat introspective lead track 'That Someone' and the laid-back and philosophical 'Your Time Doesn't Exist'.

A new chapter in the Montclair, NJ band’s evolution, the new album is vibrant, raw-edged and bold, showcasing a new guitar-rich lineup. Released via the newly-launched Magic Door Record Label, founded by Guided by Voices drummer Kevin March with Ketchem and LoBue with a simple mission to release music created by the rich community of artists who surround them, this album reveals the band’s North Jersey roots and lineage with The Feelies, Yo La Tengo (with whom they share a former label, Bar/None) and Luna (with whom they share a guitarist).

‘Above the Water’ was recorded, mixed and mastered at Ketchem’s Magic Door Recording, opened in 2017 as an acoustically lush refuge for musical expression and experimentation. Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Luna and Gramercy Arms, partnered with legendary studio designer George Augspurger to transform a cavernous warehouse into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

The 'Above The Water' LP is out now, available across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, as well as Bandcamp. The band will be playing their album release show in Boston (Jamaica Plain) at The Midway(together with Sleepyhead).

LIVE PERFORMANCE CREDITS
Renee LoBue - vocals
Chris Robertson - guitar
Richard Baluyut - bass, vocals
James Baluyut - guitar
Ray Ketchem - drums
Video recorded and filmed by H. Robert Escurel

'Above The Water' LP recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Written and performed by Elk City
© 2022 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Album artwork by Ray Ketchem & Renée LoBue

ELK CITY presents endearing 'Apology Song' from 'Above The Water' LP, involving members of Versus, Luna and Psychedelic Furs side-project Feed

November 28, 2022

"Elk City’s cool and elegant sound draws on 1980s “dream pop” and bits of 1960s folk-rock" ~ The New York Times

"This music is sophisticated – vivacious, harmonious and memorable due to many factors, not least of all is the remarkable vocal timbre and convincing delivery of vocalist Renée LoBue, recalling Eddie Brickell at times and Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick at others" ~ Music-News.com

"A formidable offering... animated, brazen and effervescent. LoBue’s commanding vocals are the icing on the cake, making for a highly infectious track" ~ The Spill Magazine

"White-hot, catchy and propels the listener ahead in forward motion... with a vocal timbre somewhere in the midst of Chrissie Hynde, Blondie and Patti Smith" ~ The Record Stache

Art pop band Elk City presents new timidly confessional single 'Apology Song', a Suzanne Vega-esque offering from their new album 'Above the Water', following up earlier singles 'That Someone', which explores the dual nature of self and other, excitement and dismay, and the more laid-back and philosophical 'Your Time Doesn't Exist'.

Revolving around its founders, artist/ vocalist Renée LoBue and producer/drummer Ray Ketchem, the band is rounded out by guitarist Sean Eden (Luna), bass guitarist Richard Baluyut (Versus) and Chris Robertson of Punch Havana and Psychedelic Furs side-project Feed. Since their formation in 1999, Elk City has released five albums, three EPs and numerous singles. Pursuing a glimmering rock thread, Elk City makes potent atmospheric pop with psychedelic undertones and overtones.

A new chapter in the Montclair, New Jersey band’s evolutionary story, this album is vibrant, raw-edged and bold, showcasing a new guitar-rich lineup. Released via the newly-launched Magic Door Record Label, founded by Guided by Voices drummer Kevin March with Ketchem and LoBue with a simple mission to release music created by the rich community of artists who surround them, this album reveals the band’s North Jersey roots and lineage with The Feelies, Yo La Tengo (with whom they share a former label, Bar/None) and Luna (with whom they share a guitarist).

“Apology Song” is probably Elk City’s most well-crafted song to date. Straight up songwriting craftsmanship. I came up with the chorus late in the game. The band wanted something more, something additional to sink their musical teeth into. They asked me to come up with an add-on to the parts that were already there. That’s when I came up with the part that says, “I'm sorry. I did it. I got all caught up in my head. I'm sorry, you know it. My head got caught up in that thing”, I've never written a lyric so simplistic, yet meaningful. Both off-the-cuff and relatable AF,” says Renée LoBue.

"I've had this concept and have wanted to direct this video for a while now. I describe the video as "A sensual comedy packed with nutrition". As 'Apology Song' is heavy on drama, we knew we needed to go lighter/comedic with a video for the song. It's the visual wack-a-doo companion that balances the song's "heart on sleeve" message. Eat your fruits and vegetables, kids!"

‘Above the Water’ was recorded, mixed and mastered at Ketchem’s Magic Door Recording, opened in 2017 as an acoustically lush refuge for musical expression and experimentation. Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Luna and Gramercy Arms, partnered with legendary studio designer George Augspurger to transform a cavernous warehouse into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

The 'Above The Water' LP is out now, available across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, as well as Bandcamp. The band will be playing their album release show in Boston (Jamaica Plain) at The Midway(together with Sleepyhead).

CREDITS
Renée LoBue - lead vocals
Chris Robertson - guitars, backing vocals
Ray Ketchem - drums, backing vocals
Sean Eden - guitars
Richard Baluyut - bass, backing vocals
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Song written and performed by Elk City.
© 2022 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover artwork by Ray Ketchem. Album artwork by Ray Ketchem & Renée LoBue

New Jersey's ELK CITY releases 'Above The Water' LP featuring members of Versus, Luna and Psychedelic Furs side-project Feed

November 2, 2022

"Elk City’s cool and elegant sound draws on 1980s “dream pop” and bits of 1960s folk-rock" ~ The New York Times

"This music is sophisticated – vivacious, harmonious and memorable due to many factors, not least of all is the remarkable vocal timbre and convincing delivery of vocalist Renée LoBue, recalling Eddie Brickell at times and Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick at others" ~ Music-News.com

"A formidable offering... it comes as no surprise Elk City sounds so animated, brazen and effervescent. LoBue’s commanding vocals are the icing on the cake, making for a highly infectious track" ~ The Spill Magazine

"White-hot, catchy and propels the listener ahead in forward motion... with a vocal timbre somewhere in the midst of Chrissie Hynde, Blondie and Patti Smith" ~ The Record Stache

Art pop band Elk City has released their new album 'Above the Water'. A new chapter in the Montclair, New Jersey band’s evolutionary story, this album is vibrant, raw-edged and bold, showcasing a new guitar-rich lineup featuring members of Versus, Luna and the Psychedelic Furs side-project Feed.

The ‘Above the Water’ LP is being released via the newly-launched Magic Door Record Label, founded by Guided by Voices drummer Kevin March with Ketchem and LoBue with a simple mission to release music created by the rich community of artists who surround them.

Revolving around its founders, artist/ vocalist Renée LoBue and producer/drummer Ray Ketchem, the band is rounded out by guitarists Sean Eden (Luna) and Chris Robertson (Feed, Punch Havana) and bass guitarist Richard Baluyut (Versus).

Since their formation in 1999, Elk City has released 5 albums, 3 EPs and numerous singles. Pursuing a glimmering rock thread, Elk City makes potent atmospheric pop with psychedelic undertones and overtones.

Revealing the band’s North Jersey roots and lineage with The Feelies, Yo La Tengo (with whom they share a former label, Bar/None) and Luna (with whom they share a guitarist), this album asks the old New Jersey question, but this time with elegance and elocution - Have you got a problem with that?

‘Above the Water’ was recorded, mixed and mastered at Ketchem’s Magic Door Recording, opened in 2017 as an acoustically lush refuge for musical expression and experimentation. Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Luna and Gramercy Arms, partnered with legendary studio designer George Augspurger to transform a cavernous warehouse into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

Earlier, Elk City released the single 'That Someone', which explores the dual nature of self and other, excitement and dismay and the more laid-back and philosophical 'Your Time Doesn't Exist'.

The 'Above The Water' album is now available through all fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, as well as Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Renée LoBue - lead vocals
Chris Robertson - guitars, backing vocals
Ray Ketchem - drums, backing vocals
Sean Eden - guitars
Richard Baluyut - bass, backing vocals
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Song written and performed by Elk City.
© 2022 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover artwork by Ray Ketchem. Album artwork by Ray Ketchem & Renée LoBue

New Jersey-based collective ELK CITY present 'Your Time Doesn't Exist' single, a dazzling taster of their 'Above The Water' LP

September 21, 2022

"Elk City’s cool and elegant sound draws on 1980s “dream pop” and bits of 1960s folk-rock" ~ The New York Times

"A formidable offering... it comes as no surprise Elk City sounds so animated, brazen and effervescent. LoBue’s commanding vocals are the icing on the cake, making for a highly infectious track" ~ The Spill Magazine

"White-hot, catchy and propels the listener ahead in forward motion... with a vocal timbre somewhere in the midst of Chrissie Hynde, Blondie and Patti Smith" ~ The Record Stache

Art pop band Elk City presents their new single 'Your Time Doesn't Exist', from their forthcoming 'Above the Water' LP, which opens a new chapter in the Montclair, New Jersey band’s evolutionary story. Vibrant, raw-edged and bold, it showcases a new guitar-rich lineup featuring members of Versus, Luna and the Psychedelic Furs side-project Feed.

Elk City revolves around its founders, artist/ vocalist Renée LoBue and producer/drummer Ray Ketchem. Rounding out the band are guitarists Sean Eden (Luna) and Chris Robertson (Feed, Punch Havana) and bass guitarist Richard Baluyut (Versus).

Since their formation in 1999, Elk City has released 5 albums, 3 EPs and numerous singles. Pursuing a glimmering rock thread, Elk City makes potent atmospheric pop with psychedelic undertones and overtones.

'Your Time Doesn’t Exist' lays the entire Elk City story plain: It’s got a rock solid VU groove that reveals the band’s North Jersey roots and lineage with The Feelies, Yo La Tengo (with whom they share a former label, Bar/None) and Luna (with whom they share a guitarist). And it asks the old New Jersey question once more, but this time with elegance and elocution: Have you got a problem with that?

Renée LoBue says, “This is our most jangly jangle pop combined with our love of The Paisley Underground. Right out of the gate, the song serves as a reminder that time is just a construct. It's a bit of an emotional check-in song".

Earlier, Elk City released the single 'That Someone', which explores the dual nature of self and other, excitement and dismay. Opening with a riff akin to early Sleater-Kinney, it quickly goes Blondie before unleashing a full-fledged tornado that is uniquely Elk City. The shadow-laden video, which was filmed in NYC and Montclair, NJ, was edited by Ray Ketchem.

The ‘Above the Water’ LP will be released via the new Magic Door Record Label, founded by Guided by Voices drummer Kevin March with Ketchem and LoBue. These three neighbors, collaborators and friends launched the label with a simple mission to release music created by the rich community of artists who surround them.

‘Above the Water’ was recorded, mixed and mastered at Ketchem’s Magic Door Recording, opened in 2017 as an acoustically lush refuge for musical expression and experimentation. Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Luna and Gramercy Arms, partnered with legendary studio designer George Augspurger to transform a cavernous warehouse into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

As of September 21, 'Your Time Doesn't Exist' will be released through all fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, where 'That Someone' can also be found. Out on October 21, the full 'Above The Water' LP is already available for pre-order via Bandcamp,

CREDITS
Renée LoBue - lead vocals
Chris Robertson - guitars, backing vocals
Ray Ketchem - drums, backing vocals
Sean Eden - guitars
Richard Baluyut - bass, backing vocals
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Song written and performed by Elk City.
© 2022 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover artwork by Ray Ketchem. Album artwork by Ray Ketchem & Renée LoBue

New York art-pop band ELK CITY present 'That Someone', first release on Magic Door Record Label, co-founded by GUIDED B

August 31, 2022

Art pop band Elk City shares 'That Someone', a song exploring the dual nature of self and other, excitement and dismay. The sound is vibrant, raw-edged, guitar-driven and maybe even a little scary. The shadow-laden accompanying video was filmed in New York City and Montclair, New Jersey, as well as edited by Ray Ketchem.

The first single from their forthcoming 'Above the Water' LP, opens a new chapter in the Montclair, New Jersey-based band’s evolutionary story, showcasing a new guitar-rich lineup featuring members of Versus, Luna and the Psychedelic Furs side-project Feed.

Elk City revolves around its founders, artist/vocalist Renee LoBue and producer/drummer Ray Ketchem. Ketchem’s Magic Door Recording studio is homebase, where the band creates their uniquely swirling dream pop for insomniacs.

‘That Someone’ and the full ‘Above the Water’ LP will be released via the new Magic Door Record Label, founded by Guided by Voices drummer Kevin Marchwith Ketchem and LoBue. These three neighbors, collaborators and friends launched the label with a simple mission to release music created by the rich community of artists who surround them.

With a glimmering rock thread, 'That Someone' dishes up potent atmospheric pop with psychedelic undertones and overtones. Ketchem and LoBue's co-pilots here are uniquely qualified for this high-flying task: twin rods of lightning in guitarists Sean Eden (Luna) and Chris Robertson (Feed, Punch Havana), and electrifying bass courtesy of Richard Baluyut (Versus).

Since 1999, Elk City has faced the omnipresent question: What does Elk City sound like? Given their output of 5 albums, 3 EPs and countless one-off tracks, the answer is ever evolving. But that’s a good thing, revealing an even deeper question:

What does Elk City feel like?

It feels pretty good, man. 'That Someone' is definitive in this regard: Like so many Elk City songs, it feels like it’s happening at night, and there’s a storm coming.

Opening with a riff akin to early Sleater-Kinney or 'Loaded'-era Velvets, it quickly goes Blondie, then unleashes into the kind of full-fledged tornado that is uniquely Elk City.

“We’ve never used this much improv before,” says Renee LoBue of this initial single and the forthcoming album.

“The stuff you hear is happening in the moment, while tape was rolling,” says Ray Ketchem.

From there, Richard Baluyut became the band’s rehearsal tape archivist and obsessive editor, building out these rehearsal room jams into something completely different: The kind of elegantly crafted 3:30 pop songs that decades ago, bands would press onto a 12-inch, one to a side, almost as if to say, “Here’s a song you can get swept up in. Here’s a song about what it feels like to be alive.”

‘Above the Water’ was recorded, mixed and mastered at Ketchem’s Magic Door Recording, opened in 2017 as an acoustically lush refuge where musical expression and experimentation can unfurl. Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Luna, and Gramercy Arms, partnered with legendary studio designer George Augspurger to transform a cavernous warehouse into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

As of August 31, 'That Someone' will be available everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and Bandcamp, where the full album can already be pre-ordered. The 'Above The Water' LP will be released on October 21.

CREDITS
Renee LoBue - lead vocals, percussion
Chris Robertson - guitars, backing vocals
Ray Ketchem - drums, percussion, synths, sounds
Sean Eden - guitars
Richard Baluyut - bass, synths, backing vocals
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Songs written and performed by Elk City.
© 2022 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover artwork by Ray Ketchem. Album artwork by Ray Ketchem & Renee LoBue

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