NJ indie outfit ELK CITY presents vibrant raw-edged ‘Don’t You Wanna Try’, an anti-anthem for those bucking societal norms

Behold the latest audio-visual delight from New Jersey art rock collective ELK CITY. ‘Don’t You Wanna Try’ – an anti-anthem for anyone living outside of societal norms – is a stunning slice of what is on offer on their recently released ‘Above The Water’ LP. Formed in 2000 by drummer-producer RAY KETCHEM and vocalist-artist RENEE LOBUE and after 8 major releases before this album, this time they’ve changed things up in a record that is vibrant, raw-edged and bold, showcasing a new guitar-rich lineup, featuring guitarists SEAN EDEN (LUNA), CHRIS ROBERTSON (PSYCHEDELIC FURS side project FEED) and bassist RICHARD BALUYUT (VERSUS). The album was released via the Montclair, NJ-based Magic Door Record Label, founded by GUIDED BY VOICES’ KEVIN MARCH with Ketchem and LoBue.

Renée LoBue explains the story behind this song: “Putting music first was never a question for me, yet some around me questioned my choices. As years went on, the same people would tell me how I’ve inspired them for sticking to me creative guns. I’ve always known there is no blueprint for what a woman should want out of life. We are not all the same. The meat of the lyrics appear at the song’s end, “In another way I can be a light – for all those who doubt”.

Don’t You Wanna Try’  https://youtu.be/2vS8ACZEF4w
‘Floating Above the Water’  https://youtu.be/fGvgZMmwuvQ
Order the album  https://linktr.ee/elkcity
Bandcamp https://elkcity.bandcamp.com/album/above-the-water
Apple Music  https://music.apple.com/us/album/above-the-water/1648069921
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/album/4JfwZg4wHtAL05zAI8bNKA
‘Apology Song’  https://youtu.be/Vt5Ba0CIUgA
‘Your Time Doesn’t Exist’ https://youtu.be/nzP8N7aG3-c
‘That Someone’ https://youtu.be/bEyhHv9Y4eE
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/user-168836748