New Jersey's ELK CITY releases seventh album 'Undertow', one of 2023's top releases, via Magic Door Record Label

December 12, 2023

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

"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

"Clever lyrics, winning arrangements and superb production, but with a seemingly darker underbelly... one of the best albums of 2023. From start to finish, this is a solid offering – a thoroughly pleasing and inspired aural experience" ~ The Spill Magazine

New Jersey art-rock outfit Elk City present their seventh album 'Undertow'. From the opening title track, this album sucks you into a different kind of record. Recorded, mixed and mastered by renowned producer (Guided By Voices, Luna, Gramercy Arms), this album was released via NJ-based Magic Door Record Label, co-founded by Guided by Voices' Kevin March, Ketchem and artist Renée LoBue.

'Undertow' was created with peculiar pop constructs built of rare materials, found only in the wilds behind Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, where Elk City meticulously built this record and this band a whole other way. Songs often begin with improvised live-jams that become load-bearing beams for layers of instrumentation and harmonies. Elk City’s live shows also push boundaries of what a band should be.

Founded by Renée LoBue and Ray Ketchem, Elk City is rounded out by Luna’s Sean Eden, Richard Baluyut (Versus) and Chris Robertson (Psychedelic Furs side project Feed, Punch Havana).

After seven albums, Elk City are still deliberately hard to define, still seekers, leading the listener on a journey to new sounds and feelings. And as long as they remain curious, they will report back what they have found, with albums like 'Undertow', packed with siren songs to lure you in and fill you with a devout ecstasy, body and soul. You came here looking for something. And now you know... Welcome to Elk City.

Like their previous album 'Above the Water', this record is inspired by the band’s love of documentaries and films that explore the allure of cults and extreme alternative lifestyles. Ahead of this album, the band released the singles 'Tried To Move On' and 'Strong (You're Not Alone)'.

“The albums 'Undertow’ and ‘Above the Water’ were written and recorded simultaneously. We actually considered releasing them together as a double album. Numerous songs on ‘Undertow’ are long and sprawling and take the listener on unexpected adventures. But, of course, there are a few pop songs too,” says Ray Ketchem.

Renée LoBue adds, “Undertow is the darker continuation of our latest 'Above the Water' LP. As Ray mentioned, both records were recorded at the same time. Undertow stands alone as a listening experience. You can hear us going deeper into unchartered sonic waters.”

The 'Undertow' album is out now, available across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written and performed by Elk City
Renée LoBue - vocals
Sean Eden - guitars
Chris Robertson - guitars, backing vocals
Richard Baluyut - bass, synths, backing vocals
Ray Ketchem - drums, synths, sounds
Claudia Chopek - violin
Recorded, mixed and masted by Ray Ketchem
Produced by Ray Ketchem
Created at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
© 2023 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover artwork by Renée LoBue
'Strong' video directed, filmed and edited by Ray Ketchem
featuring Renée LoBue, Chris Robertson and Richard Baluyut
'Strong' video filmed at Eagle Rock Reservation & Kip's Castle Park, Essex County NJ
Elk City live photos at the Bowery Ballroom by Eric Kayne

'Undertow' album pre-order / Bandcamp https://elkcity.bandcamp.com/album/undertow
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/1HfBv1vvbuy2dMRoPIWyaW
Album digital order https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/elkcity/undertow

New Jersey art rock collective ELK CITY release their seventh album, 'Undertow', via Magic Door Records

September 22, 2023

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

"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

"Clever lyrics, winning arrangements and superb production, but with a seemingly darker underbelly... one of the best albums of 2023. From start to finish, this is a solid offering – a thoroughly pleasing and inspired aural experience" ~ The Spill Magazine

New Jersey art-rock outfit Elk City present their seventh album 'Undertow'. Like their previous album 'Above the Water', this record is inspired by the band’s love of documentaries like 'The Source Family' and 'Wild, Wild Country' - films that explore the allure of cults and extreme alternative lifestyles. In the lead up to the album, the band released the singles 'Tried To Move On' and 'Strong (You're Not Alone)'.

Founded by Renée LoBue and Ray Ketchem, Elk City is brilliantly rounded out by Luna’s Sean Eden, Richard Baluyut (Versus) and Chris Robertson (Psychedelic Furs side project Feed, Punch Havana).

Ketchem, a renowned producer (Guided By Voices, Luna, Gramercy Arms)recorded, mixed and mastered the 'Undertow' album, which is being released via Montclair, NJ-based Magic Door Record Label, co-founded several years ago by Guided by Voices' Kevin March, Ketchem and artist Renée LoBue.

“‘Undertow’ is the companion piece to our 2022 album ‘Above the Water’. Both albums were recorded simultaneously. We actually considered releasing them together as a double album. ‘Undertow’ is the darker of the two. Numerous songs on ‘Undertow’ are long and sprawling and take the listener on unexpected adventures. Of course, there are a few pop songs too. Like all our albums, there are pop songs, but Undertow has a musical darkness that is unique to this release, yet lyrically it seems to be about independence and personal strength,” says Ray Ketchem.

Renée LoBue adds, “The most interesting thing about these records (to me) is that the water theme was not planned. The water theme revealed itself to us after. Even more ironic: The cover art pieces that were chosen for both records have water themes. I created both pieces of art before the records were done. At the time I didn’t realize they were part of a larger water theme expressed in the music. Upon completion, we were able to look at both the art + the music with a way more objective lens. We could see the hidden theme looking back at us. It had been there all along.”

From the opening title track, 'Undertow' sucks you into a different kind of record with peculiar pop constructs built of rare materials, found only in the wilds behind Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, which legendary studio designer George Augspurger helped transform into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

This is where Elk City has meticulously built this record and this band a whole other way. Songs often begin with improvised live-jams that become load-bearing beams for layers and layers of instrumentation and harmonies. It’s a process that both asks questions and answers them. What is a pop song? (Whatever we say it is) How many guitars are too many? (none) Should we add strings here? (Yes! No! Strings and what else?) Elk City’s live shows also push boundaries of what a band should be, adding and subtracting, sometimes pulling James Baluyut (Versus) into the vortex, sometimes playing acoustic, never afraid of what ifs and what is rock, really?

Even after seven albums, Elk City are still deliberately hard to define, still seekers, unafraid to shed this life and lead the listener on a journey to new sounds and feelings. And as long as they remain curious, they will report back what they have found, with albums like Undertow, packed with siren songs to lure you in and fill you with a devout ecstasy, body and soul. You came here looking for something. And now you know.

Welcome to Elk City.

As of September 22, the 'Undertow' album is available across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. On September 30, Elk City will be playing a reunion show for the 90’s band Velocity Girl at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom, followed by a December 1 show with Ted Leo in their hometown of Montclair, NJ.

CREDITS
Written and performed by Elk City
Renée LoBue - vocals
Sean Eden - guitars
Chris Robertson - guitars, backing vocals
Richard Baluyut - bass, synths, backing vocals
Ray Ketchem - drums, synths, sounds
Claudia Chopek - violin
Recorded, mixed and masted by Ray Ketchem
Produced by Ray Ketchem
Created at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
© 2023 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover artwork by Renée LoBue
'Strong' video directed, filmed and edited by Ray Ketchem
featuring Renée LoBue, Chris Robertson and Richard Baluyut
'Strong' video filmed at Eagle Rock Reservation & Kip's Castle Park, Essex County NJ

Keep up with Elk City
Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Apple Music | Tidal | Qobuz | Spotify | Press contact

Magic Door Record Label
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New Jersey art pop heroes ELK CITY present whimsical single 'Tried to Move On’

September 1, 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

"Formidable... animated, brazen and effervescent. LoBue’s commanding vocals are the icing on the cake... highly infectious" ~ The Spill Magazine

New Jersey art-rock collective Elk City present 'Tried To Move On', the second taste of 'Undertow', the band's seventh album to date. This follows the voluminous consciousness-building lead track 'Strong (You're Not Alone)', a swirling neo-psychedelic folk song baked in cult obsessiveness.

Founded by Renée LoBue and Ray Ketchem, Elk City is brilliantly rounded out by Luna’s Sean Eden, Richard Baluyut (Versus) and Chris Robertson (Psychedelic Furs side project Feed, Punch Havana).

Ketchem, a renowned producer (Guided By Voices, Luna, Gramercy Arms)recorded, mixed and mastered the 'Undertow' album, which will be released via Montclair, NJ-based Magic Door Record Label, co-founded several years ago by Guided by Voices' Kevin March, Ketchem and artist Renée LoBue.

“'Tried to Move On' finds the band following our pop tendencies. The song is perfect for the end of summer, while the weather is still inviting outside. Close and intimate during the verses and chorus, the song opens up in the middle with a triumphant instrumental section," explains Ray Ketchem.

"In the production, I used small, close sounds to create the rhythm track. I recorded the sound of various metal objects, such as music and microphone stands, and then manipulated the audio. The songs feature one of my favorite lyrics, “the hours turn into weeks, turn into years”.

Renée LoBue adds, "A boomerang of a breezy pop song that slides into your DMs to say, "Hi, you're living in denial." Wearing pastels and beaming. Bursting with... Joy? Anger? It’s “All Gucci” as the kids say, until the chorus barrels through, morphing into a different song that's not on the guest list. You're left in a whirlpool of self-created confusion. But I do like whirlpools because they remind me of jacuzzis and any correlation between our band and jacuzzis satisfies me to pieces. People put up with hunks of BS because fooling themselves is easier than walking an unknown path. Walk your unknown path. But keep your jacuzzi."

Like their sixth album 'Above the Water', this record is inspired by the band’s love of documentaries like 'The Source Family' and 'Wild, Wild Country' - films that explore the allure of cults and extreme alternative lifestyles.

From the opening title track, 'Undertow' sucks you into a different kind of record with peculiar pop constructs built of rare materials, found only in the wilds behind Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, which legendary studio designer George Augspurger helped transform into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

This is where Elk City has meticulously built this record and this band a whole other way. Even after seven albums, Elk City are still deliberately hard to define, still seekers, unafraid to shed this life and lead the listener on a journey to new sounds and feelings... Welcome to Elk City.

As of August 30, 'Tried To Move On' will be available across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where the full 'Undertow' album (out September 22) is already available for pre-order.

CREDITS
Written and performed by Elk City
Renee LoBue - vocals
Sean Eden - guitars
Chris Robertson - guitars, backing vocals
Richard Baluyut - bass, synths, backing vocals
Ray Ketchem - drums, synths, sounds
Claudia Chopek - violin
Recorded, mixed and masted by Ray Ketchem
Produced by Ray Ketchem
Created at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
© 2023 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover artwork by Renee LoBue
'Strong' video directed, filmed and edited by Ray Ketchem
featuring Renee LoBue, Chris Robertson and Richard Baluyut
'Strong' video filmed at Eagle Rock Reservation & Kip's Castle Park, Essex County NJ

'Undertow' LP pre-order https://elkcity.bandcamp.com/album/undertow

New Jersey indie outfit ELK CITY returns with powerful single 'Strong (You're Not Alone)', heralding new 'Undertow' album

July 23, 2023

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

"Softly beaten drums and tremolo guitar guide us into the song... allows the song to ebb and flow around the gentle charm of acoustic instruments and the grit of the electric" ~ Joyzine

"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

"Formidable... animated, brazen and effervescent. LoBue’s commanding vocals are the icing on the cake... highly infectious" ~ The Spill Magazine

New Jersey psychedelic art-rock collective Elk City announces that they will release their seventh album 'Undertow' on September 22. Ahead of that, they present the voluminous consciousness-building lead track 'Strong (You're Not Alone)' , a swirling neo-psychedelic folk song baked in cult obsessiveness.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by renowned producer Ray Ketchem (Guided By Voices, Luna, Gramercy Arms), 'Undertow' will be released via Montclair, NJ-based Magic Door Record Label, co-founded by Guided by Voices' Kevin Marchwith Ketchem and artist Renée LoBue.

Like their latest 'Above the Water' LP, this record is inspired by the band’s love of documentaries like 'The Source Family' and 'Wild, Wild Country' - films that explore the allure of cults and extreme alternative lifestyles.

It sure is tempting to join a cult. To drop whatever it is we do over and over and just plain start over, with a fresh sense of community and identity and a new way to love and live and be in this world a whole other way. Cult-life can’t be any crazier than how we’re doing it now, in this backwards, modern world in which we find ourselves. So… it could be time to X out of this celestial Zoom, peel off the athleisure wear and slap on a space tunic that says, ‘Hey, I’ve found something else, and this is my new family now and they can give me inner peace and Heaven on Earth in exchange for letting go of everything I thought I was and society expects me to be’.

Let’s do it.

This is the pull of 'Undertow', sucking you into a different kind of record from the opening title track. Peculiar pop constructs built of rare materials, found only in the wilds behind Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, NJ. which legendary studio designer George Augspurger helped transform from a cavernous warehouse into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

This is where Elk City’s founding members, Renée LoBue and Ray Ketchem, along with Luna’s Sean Eden, Richard Baluyut (Versus) and Chris Robertson (Psychedelic Furs side project Feed, Punch Havana) have meticulously built this record and this band a whole other way. Even after seven albums, Elk City are still deliberately hard to define, still seekers, unafraid to shed this life and lead the listener on a journey to new sounds and feelings... Welcome to Elk City.

“'Strong (You’re Not Alone)' just may be the highest of heights we’ve reached as songwriting collaborators. A ‘non-single’ single, unapologetically present in its dream catcher-waving vibe. The least pop of pop songs on our upcoming Undertow LP, yet here it is, served up first: Sprawling, moody, nonsensical, captivating, and much like Rob Zombie sang: More Human than Human. Baby steps in believing in oneself. “Ooh, you never know what you’re made of till you climb the top.” Let this one guide you, heal you, inspire you, strengthen you. Hacky sacks optional. Also: It’s way cheaper than therapy," says Renee LoBue.

Ray Ketchem adds, “Strong (You’re Not Alone)” is an example, where we let the song forge our path. We observe, listen and follow where it leads, but we relinquish control in order to open the channels within ourselves".

As of July 19, 'Strong (You're Not Alone)' will be available across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. , where the full 'Undertow' album (out September 22) may also be pre-ordered.

CREDITS
Written and performed by Elk City
Renee LoBue - vocals
Richard Baluyut - bass
Sean Eden - guitar
Chris Robertson - guitar
Ray Ketchem - drums
Recorded, mixed and masted by Ray Ketchem
Produced by Ray Ketchem
Created at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
© 2023 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Single cover photo by Ray Ketchem
Video directed, filmed and edited by Ray Ketchem
featuring Renee LoBue, Chris Robertson and Richard Baluyut
Filmed at Eagle Rock Reservation & Kip's Castle Park, Essex County NJ

Keep up with Elk City
Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Apple Music | Tidal | Qobuz | Spotify | Press contact

Magic Door Record Label
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email

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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