Elk City core members Renee LoBue and Ray Ketchem
Interview conduct May 12, 2018
by Dan Locke
Elk City’s soundscapes encompass galaxies while retaining intimate and introspective thoughts and feelings, like epic adventures under the skin. Everybody’s Insecure, the group’s fifth album, was released by Bar/None Records on March 16, 2018.
Collaboration is at the core of every great band, and Elk City’s lead vocalist Renée LoBue and drummer/producer Ray Ketchem are two people ready to strap themselves into wet suits, climb into the immersion tank and get the job done. This pair is ably abetted by guitarist Sean Eden (Luna) and extraordinary keyboardist Carl Baggaley. Elk City has just welcomed guitarist Chris Robertson and bassist Richard Baluyut (Versus) into their line-up.
Band Members
Renée LoBue, Ray Ketchem, Carl Baggaley, Chris Robertson, Richard Baluyut, Sean Eden
Dan Locke: Tell me about your background. How did you get interested in Music?
Renée LoBue: I’ve been drawn to and connected to music –radio and bands- since I can remember. I started in high school by singing on recorded tracks with other students. After that, I wanted to start a band. That’s how I met Ray.
Ray Ketchem: I grew up in West Virginia. I played in a cover band in high school called Vintage that played all kinds of classic rock songs. It was a good experience, but I was more interested in writing original music. When I moved to New York after attending art school and knew I wanted to start a band.
How did you form the band?
Renee: I met Ray through a “musicians wanted” section of the newspaper. We were both looking to start bands and I answered his ad. (Or, did he answer mine?)
Ray: Renee and I started a band in the early ’90s called Melting Hopefuls. When that band dissolved we stuck together and found new members and chose the name Elk City.
Facebook says your Genre is Art Pop. Can you get more into this and what does it means?
Renee: We’re a pop band, though we’ve always been a bit “left of center”. Lately, I like to call us “Unicorn Rock” or “Dream Pop for Insomniacs”.
You have been around since 1997. How did you keep the band going after all these years?
Renee: The sheer joy of it.
Ray: The inspiration to continue creating always keeps us going.
There are always new songs to work on. Always.
How did you pick your name?
Ray: There’s a very small area near where I grew up in known as Elk City. I suggested the name to Renee and she liked the sound of it for a band name. We liked that it seemed to mix a rural and urban element.
How have the crowds changed since 1997?
Renee: They’re even nicer.
Ray: There are more people snapping photos all the time. Remember when cameras or video recorders weren’t allowed in most clubs?
Your band does a lot of tribute albums what is your best cover? And do you do it the same way or different than the original?
Renee: We always strive to put our own twist on a song when recording a cover, to make the song our own, while honoring the artist.
Ray: Our version of “Close to Me” by The Cure is my favorite cover that we’ve done. I’ve always loved that song and we captured a vibe on our recording that echoes The Cure but is totally different from their approach.
Your new CD “Everybody’s Insecure”, March 16, 2018. Why did you pick that name for the CD? And what do you hope from this CD? What do you think is the best cut on the CD?
Renee: The title “Everybody’s Insecure” is taken from the song “Everybody’s Insecure” on the LP. We hope to reach more people with our music. We hope to touch more hearts and communicate deeper emotion. We hope people see bits of themselves in our music. The best cut on the CD? What do you think?
Ray: The title cut seemed to tell the story of the entire record. It touches upon the strengths of the band. I hope that this new LP will reach people and perhaps bring them joy or inspiration. My favorite track is “What If I Said You Were Dead” because it came together in one inspired evening.
Renee descript your singing abilities?
Renee: I sing from my soul. That’s what I do.
What is your day gig?
Renee: By day, I manage a private contemporary art collection.
Ray: I’m a music producer and own Magic Door Recording in Montclair NJ.
Tell me about the video Jerks on Ice?
Renee: The video for Jerks On Ice was conceived and directed by Matthew Buzzell. It’s the story of a child and the fantasy world she chooses to live in because of her out-of-touch parents.
Ray: We liked that Matthew’s concept had Renee and Sean (Eden) playing the parents and involved spooky stuffed animals.
You played CMJ back in 2007. What was that like and have you been back since?
Renee: Yes, we’ve played many CMJ’s actually. I believe we also played CMJ in 2010. It was fun. It was lively. It was live.
Ray: It’s exciting to have an influx of people from out of town come to NYC for a few days to hear/see live music.
You played SXSW in 2010? Do you remember how many gigs you played during the SXSW visit? And can you give me some insights on the fest?
Renee: We played 3 shows. We also saw many great shows by other bands. It was a good time. Austin’s beautiful…and there’s so much meat!
Ray: It’s quite expensive for a New York band to travel to Austin for SXSW.
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