2010 marks 10 years since Elk City’s first release, and the band is celebrating with a new album, House Of Tongues, which was just release via Friendly Fire Recordings. Unlike some groups that lose creative edge and flounder over time, this outfit proves with this LP that it’s more cohesive than ever—and the addition of a fresh face with new keyboardist Carl Baggaley didn’t hurt, either. Elk City’s founding members, singer/songwriter Renee LoBue and drummer/producer Ray Ketchem, made this mix tape for MAGNET. Plus, check out this video chronicling the recording of House Of Tongues.
“Jerks On Ice” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/JerksOnIce.mp3
Wire “Lowdown”
Ray: Wire do so much with so little. Little grooves, little sounds, little ideas that become huge when assembled in the right order. It’s what they don’t play that makes the songs work. Then there’s the whisper-to-a-bellow voice of Colin Newman. You can be more bad-ass with clean guitars than distorted ones. I learned that from listening to Wire. Video
Erykah Badu “Tyrone ” (Live)
Renee: Anyone who writes a song with the opening line “I’m getting tired of your shit” is a genius in my book. This song has the same effect on me that the Jerky Boys do: I want to stop listening, yet I can’t. Video
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti “Bright Lit Blue Skies”
Renee: This is a cover of the Ramrods’ song from the ’60s. Sheer pop, positive-vibing in less than three minutes: part Brian Wilson, part David Johansen. I saw Ariel Pink live recently. He was so sweet, in a strung-out way, until he said, “I think it sounds pretty good up here!” Some guy in the audience retorted, “It doesn’t sound that great,” which was followed by Pink’s “Fuck you!” It still thrills me to tape concert tickets to my wall. Ariel Pink’s went up as soon as I got home. Video
Love “A House Is Not A Hotel”
Ray: Arthur Lee warns us about the collapsing world around us, “The water’s turned to blood/And if you don’t think so/Go turn on your tub.” The neuroses displayed on Love’s 1967 classic Forever Changes is certainly defining, but in the end, Lee’s positivity wins out. Video
Big Star “Kangaroo”
Ray: We chose Kangaroo as our first band name, with this track being the namesake. The moniker didn’t stick, but that’s no reflection on the brilliance of this recording. The cowbell that “wrecks” the last verse is stoned inspiration for neo-psych to this day. Did you think the Flaming Lips invented that stuff? Video
Brother JT “Be With Us”
Ray: Brother JT is an underground treasure. A truly genius songwriter. Elk City had the privilege of working with Brother JT on many of the songs on our 2007 LP, New Believers. “Be With Us” is a great example of his pop sensibilities and distinct voice. Audio
The Breeders “Don’t Call Home”
Renee: While I love this song and the entire Safari EP that it hails from, “Don’t Call Home” always makes me uncomfortable. Kim seems understatedly angry and, perhaps, strung out. Is that really John Murphy’s voice we hear as the song vamps out? What’s wrong, Kim? If you’re upset, I’ll take you out and buy you a carton of cigarettes. My treat. Video
John Cale “Fear Is A Man’s Best Friend”
Ray: “Life and death are just things you do when you’re bored,” sings Cale in his calm baritone before the track implodes. Cale manages the neat trick of being avant and poppy at the same time. Video
Steely Dan “Kid Charlemagne”
Renee: There is a parallel universe that exists between Steely Dan and indie rock. Yes, I’m fully ready to be pummeled with all of your black-rimmed glasses right about now, but hear me out. “I was dressed for success/But success it never comes”: classic Pavement lyrics that could have also been sprouted out of the mouth of Donald Fagan. Elk City are big Dan fans. We saw them in the second row at the Beacon Theatre last summer. Oddly, Jerry Seinfeld was sitting behind us, and as if he were in an episode of Seinfeld, Jerry had to keep getting up as people found their seats, used the restrooms, etc. He was so polite, and no one pushing past him even seemed to notice who he was. Video
T.Rex “Cosmic Dancer”
Ray: “I danced myself right out the womb/Is it strange to dance so soon?” Marc Bolan sings in the first verse of this classic glam track only to follow the next verse with “I danced myself into the tomb.” That sums it up, doesn’t it? Video
The Mendoza Line “Thirty Year Low”
Ray: I produced four albums for the Mendoza Line between 2000 and 2007. “Thirty Year Low” is an outtake that was recorded on a sunny afternoon with just Tim Bracy, me and John Troutman playing the simple instrumentation. John giggled his way through the backing vocal and lent some stunning lap steel. One of my faves. Audio
Jefferson Airplane “Today”
Ray: The definition of beautifully haunting psychedelia. Video
The Jesus And Mary Chain “The Living End”
Ray: I always think of The Jesus And Mary Chain as an “idea” band. “We’ll blur everything we do with deafening white noise.” Period. Works for me. Video
Wham! “Everything She Wants”
Renee: This song makes me feel clean. Just showered, while dusk descends on the undisclosed adventure of the evening. The night is mine to consume, and I’ll do it with a black blazer on. Pardon me while I slick my hair back, slip into my 380ZX and grab a Sade CD. So clean and chic, this song is cologne for the soul. Video
Phish “Backwards Down The Number Line”
Renee: If someone asked me who I’d want to work on a song with, my usual answer might be Patti Smith or John Cale or Bobby Pollard, but lately, I’d respond “Trey Anastasio, of course!” His soft voice and unapologetic melodies say, “Trust me, these melodies will open up to you and you’ll love me for it.” And then, then, who can forget the guitar wankfest on this number? Call me, Trey. Video
Os Mutantes “Panis Et Circensis”
Renee: The intoxicating harmonies and cadence of this song make me want to release doves from a cage. Wait! This song makes me want to release myself from a cage! Ah, the Beatlesque breakdown and waltz at the end! Take me on a trip. Put me and my uptight personality in a blender, and, please, feed me … to myself. Only this time as a smoothie. Video
Lime “Angel Eyes”
Renee: Embedded in my head since I was 14 and going to teen dance clubs like Butterfield’s in Lodi, N.J.. Lime is different than other dance music. Lime has staying power. A studio project, done quickly, but, oh, the years of joy these songs have given to countless dancing feet! Lately, I listen to Lime every day. It’s about being unapologetic. I am your song and you’re going to love me and listen to me and dance to me, and then you’re going to come back for more and it’s going to get better and better. Video
