Elk City are a five-piece rock outfit that recently released their latest single “Strong (You’re Not Alone)” on the 19th of July, 2023. This band uses their talent to bring you a charming and unique sound that is vibrant on the palette and potent in its messaging. We were very curious to understand the process by which these gems are crafted and we recently had the chance to interview the band, so read on!
Please introduce us to Elk City? What is your philosophy or approach to the music you create and play live?
Ray Ketchem: Elk City began around the turn of the millennium when our previous band, Melting Hopefuls, broke up. The two founding members are me and Renée LoBue. In the years since, Elk City has shuffled our line-up numerous times, but our philosophy has always been to follow our musical instincts and let the songs guide our path. We most often write songs as improvisations and develop unscripted moments in the studio.
Your new single 'Strong (You're Not Alone)' is making quite a splash in the blogosphere. Tell us about it.
Ray Ketchem: Thanks. “Strong (You Not Alone)” was written in two distinct parts. The droning, psychedelic part one was written by Renée at home and developed by the band. The sweeping melodic (part two) came from one of our improvisational sessions. Richard Baluyut, our bassist, hatched the idea to combine the parts into one song, sewn together by the similar bass part.
Renée LoBue: Thank you. “Strong (You’re Not Alone)” is a group effort; a great example of how music can develop when we work collaboratively. To me, always the most rewarding form of creativity.
Tell us about your forthcoming record? Is it quite different or similar to your most recent album 'Above The Water'?
Ray Ketchem: ‘Undertow’ and ‘Above the Water’ were written and 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. But, of course, there are a few pop songs too.
Renée LoBue: Undertow is the darker continuation of our last LP, Above the Water. As Ray mentioned, both records were recorded at the same time. We considered releasing them as a double album. Undertow stands alone as a listening experience. You can hear us going deeper into unchartered sonic waters.
Would you say that the reason you began making music is still the reason that you are still making music today? Please explain.
Ray Ketchem: Music is a way of communicating ideas and feelings that can’t be expressed through words alone. The desire to communicate through music remains the same for me today as it ever was.
Renée LoBue: Yes. Very much so. Music has always been a vehicle for personal freedom. Making music is pure. It's joyful. It’s the highest (perhaps) most enlightened version of myself. It's a need. It's love. It's a passion not to be ignored. It's a passion that serves as loving fuel for a fulfilled life.
How have the artists you've interacted with or the music you love influenced the way you create, release or consume music today?
Ray Ketchem: I don’t think the way music is released or consumed actually effects the music we make. Additionally, I don’t think the artists we interact with effect the music we make. We express ourselves from the inside, but outside forces, with the exception of spiritual inspirations, don’t have much impact.
Renée LoBue: On a subconscious level we’re always ingesting the art of others-whether that's music, a film, and an art exhibit. I don’t know the exact equation of how we apply that to what we do, however, I believe we all do automatically.
We understand that Renée is also a visual artist. Renée, can you tell us a bit about this aspect of your creativity?
Ray Ketchem: We’re both visual artists. We often collaborate on band artwork, posters, etc. Renée does the art and I do the design. I studied visual communication in art school and have spent much of my adult life working as an illustrator.
Renée LoBue: I'm a self-taught visual artist (as well as a self-taught musician). Much like the music I create, I improvise my visual art, meaning I usually don't have a plan for what it's going to be beforehand. The art I create is intuitive. I follow the vibe I'm getting and- on a subconscious level- the pieces create themselves. It's rewarding to have my art featured on our (and other artist’s) album covers, show posters and imagery. The use of our visual work paired with our music bridges a deeper connection to revealing our creative personalities.
What is your favorite thing about performing for people in a live environment? Do you prefer festivals or venue-based gigs?
Ray Ketchem: The bigger audience, the better, but we enjoy every show we play. I would say venue gigs usually have more reliable sound systems, but outdoor festival gigs are memorable because you never know what the weather holds. Every performance presents a unique opportunity to share the experience of music with an audience.
Renée LoBue: I love festivals and venue-based gigs equally. What I love about playing live is meeting and befriending fellow musicians. Playing shows is another way of being exposed to the creativity happening around us. One of my favorite things about playing live is surprising people + surprising myself. What will I do (or not do) during a performance? I don't think live performance in any genre, in any medium should be safe. I do believe a live performance should be an experience. I hope to take my own advice by going further with uninhibited live creativity.
Your new album was recorded at Magic Door Recording and is being released via Magic Door Records. Can you tell us about this rising New Jersey independent label and also the studio?
Ray Ketchem: ‘Magic Door Recording’ the studio came first. It’s our home base, but also, it’s the studio where I produce other artists. It’s where I’ve worked on 11 albums with Guided By Voices and together with their drummer, Kevin March, where we launched the record label. Renée, Kevin and I started the label as a way to release the music being created at Magic Door, but we’ve also welcomed other artists from our scene into the fold. Chris Robertson, Elk City’s guitarist is also working and part of the label.
Renée LoBue: We are the label, Magic Door. We started discussing a record label based on the music recorded at Magic Door Recording before the pandemic. Little by little, we began promoting the bands on the label. Slowly, people began to connect the dots and realize we started a record label, which is exactly how we wanted people to find out.
Are you also involved with other music groups / projects apart from Elk City?
Ray Ketchem: Yes, we’re all a part of a band called Gramercy Arms, that I recently produced. Renée and I also made an album and EP as Flowers of America, which is more a solo vehicle for Renée. Records from both projects are available from Magic Door Record Label.
Renée LoBue: To add to what Ray said, we’re both in the NYC/Dave Derby collective, Gramercy Arms. I have Flowers of America (FOA) -my solo thing. I’ve also performed vocals and percussion on many of the records made at Magic Door Recording. I should probably keep a list of records I sing/play on, but I’m lazy in that respect.
Apart from the release of your new album, can you share anything about your plans for the next year or so that fans of Elk City can look forward to?
Ray Ketchem: We hope to broaden our audience with ‘Undertow’ and go out on tour. Perhaps we can return to France and Italy and Spain again.
Renée LoBue: We hope to play more live shows. We’d love to get back to playing in Europe. I'm excited about new jams that will inspire new songs that will inspire new recordings. More art, in all forms, all the time.
Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator