Art pop band Elk City presents their new album ‘Above the Water’, opening 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. And isn’t it fantastic that the band’s members draw from so many different backgrounds, considering how beautifully diverse their much-anticipated ‘Above The Water’ LP turns out, with tracks ranging from upbeat and grooving to slower tunes seemingly inspired by San Francisco’s summer of love and yet others meshing influences that span several different decades simultaneously. What a great mix!
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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.
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. 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’.
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.
The ‘Above The Water’ album is now available through all fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz andSpotify, 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
Artist photo by Jon Reino
LIVE SHOWS
Oct 27 BROOKLYN – Mama Tried – Album release party
Oct 30 (2pm) MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Porchistas Home Studio – Acoustic set (with The Porchistas, Glenn Morrow’s Cry for Help )
Nov 18 BROOKLYN – Union Pool (with SAVAK and Continuals)
Dec 17 BOSTON (Jamaica Plain) – The Midway (with Sleepyhead)
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