By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – CHICAGO, In the contemporary indie rock ecosystem, few bands have managed to cultivate as much genuine goodwill and critical momentum as Ratboys. The Chicago-based quartet, led by the evocative songwriting of Julia Steiner and the inventive guitar work of Dave Sagan, has spent the last decade evolving from a DIY folk-punk project into a powerhouse of what many critics have dubbed "post-country." Following the widespread acclaim of their latest studio effort, Singin’ to an Empty Chair, the band is now preparing to offer fans an expanded look into the creative world of that record. This week, Ratboys officially announced a deluxe edition of the album, set to arrive on September 25 via New West Records, a label that has become a vital home for artists blurring the lines between Americana and alternative rock.
The upcoming deluxe release is not merely a collection of b-sides or throwaway demos. Instead, it serves as a testament to the community the band has built within the indie scene. The expanded tracklist features a series of reimagined versions of the album’s original songs, performed by a curated list of the band’s peers and inspirations. Among the contributors are the high-energy Toronto punk outfit PUP, the atmospheric indie-rockers Wild Pink, the jangle-pop masters Ducks Ltd., the melodic Minneapolis trio Bad Bad Hats, and the rising Chicago songwriter Free Range. By inviting these artists to interpret their material, Ratboys have effectively turned Singin’ to an Empty Chair into a collaborative dialogue, allowing the songs to take on entirely new textures and emotional resonances.
In a statement reflecting on the project, lead singer and guitarist Julia Steiner expressed the band’s excitement regarding the transformation of their work. Steiner noted that the project began as a simple desire to cover a personal favorite and blossomed into a larger celebration of friendship and musical influence. She described the experience of hearing her own songs filtered through the lenses of other artists as a "total trip" and a profound honor. This sense of humility and interconnectedness has long been a hallmark of Ratboys’ ethos, and the deluxe edition appears to be the ultimate realization of that philosophy.
To whet the appetite of listeners before the September release, the band has shared their own contribution to the deluxe set’s bonus material: a spirited cover of "Fix My Brain" by the Texas punk legends The Marked Men. Originally recorded during a session for SiriusXM earlier this year, the track showcases the more aggressive, driving side of the Ratboys sound. It serves as a bridge between their current polished production and the raw energy of their early days, proving that despite their growth, they haven’t lost their appreciation for the fast-paced, melodic punk that helped shape their musical identity.
Coinciding with the deluxe album announcement, Ratboys also reached a major milestone in any independent artist’s career: the release of their first NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Filmed at the iconic desk of Bob Boilen, the performance captures the band in an intimate, stripped-back setting that highlights the strength of Steiner’s lyricism and the group’s tight-knit chemistry. The setlist was a carefully balanced mix of old and new, featuring the fan-favorite epic "Black Earth, WI" from their previous work, alongside two standout tracks from Singin’ to an Empty Chair: "Penny in the Lake" and "What’s Right?" The Tiny Desk appearance serves as a perfect companion to the deluxe announcement, providing a visual and acoustic counterpoint to the high-fidelity recordings of the album.
The deluxe edition’s guest list provides a fascinating cross-section of modern indie rock. The inclusion of PUP, known for their frantic energy and gang vocals, suggests a high-octane take on "Know You Then," while Wild Pink’s involvement on "Strange Love" likely leans into the expansive, cinematic arrangements that have defined their recent work. Ducks Ltd., with their signature 80s-influenced guitar lines, are a natural fit for "Light Night Mountains All That," and the pop sensibilities of Bad Bad Hats will undoubtedly bring a new melodic sheen to "Anywhere." Free Range, a fellow Chicago act, rounds out the collaborative efforts with a version of "What’s Right?" that promises to highlight the song’s introspective core.
Beyond the studio, Ratboys are preparing for an extensive period of touring that will take them across the globe well into 2026. Their schedule includes a rigorous run of dates throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America. A significant portion of these dates will see the band joined by Smidley, the solo project of Foxing frontman Conor Murphy. The pairing of Ratboys and Smidley is a natural one, as both artists share a penchant for blending emotional vulnerability with sophisticated musical arrangements. The tour will hit major festivals and legendary venues alike, including a high-profile appearance at Mexico City’s Corona Capital and a massive homecoming show at Chicago’s Salt Shed to close out the year.
The release of Singin’ to an Empty Chair (Deluxe) comes at a time when the original album is still being digested by audiences. When it first arrived, the record was praised for its maturity and its ability to balance the band’s quirkier tendencies with a newfound sense of gravity. Songs like "At Peace in the Hundred Acre Wood" and "The World, So Madly" demonstrated a band comfortable with silence and space, a departure from the "crunchy" indie rock of their early albums. By adding five covers and a high-energy punk tribute to the mix, the deluxe edition ensures that the album’s legacy will continue to grow, offering different entry points for new listeners and deep-dive material for longtime fans.
The full tracklist for Singin’ to an Empty Chair (Deluxe) is as follows:
01 Open Up
02 Know You Then
03 Light Night Mountains All That
04 Anywhere
05 Penny in the Lake
06 Strange Love
07 The World, So Madly
08 Just Want You to Know the Truth
09 What’s Right?
10 Burn It Down
11 At Peace in the Hundred Acre Wood
12 Fix My Brain (SiriusXM Session)
13 Know You Then (PUP)
14 Light Night Mountains All That (Ducks Ltd.)
15 Anywhere (Bad Bad Hats)
16 Strange Love (Wild Pink)
17 What’s Right? (Free Range)
As the band prepares for the release and the subsequent tour, the focus remains on the music’s ability to connect people. Whether it is through a collaborative cover or a live performance in a crowded club, Ratboys continue to play "the long game," building a career defined by steady growth and artistic integrity. With the deluxe edition of Singin’ to an Empty Chair, they are not just looking back at a successful release, but are inviting their friends and fans to help define what the album means in a broader context.
For those looking to catch the band live, the upcoming tour dates offer plenty of opportunities:
Ratboys 2026 Tour Dates:
09-09 Brighton, United Kingdom – Patterns
09-11 Asten, Netherlands – Misty Fields
09-12 Leffinge, Belgium – Leffingeleuren Festival
09-18 Cincinnati, OH – Fountain Square
09-20 Camden, NJ – XPoNential Music Festival
09-25 Nashville, TN – WNXP Summer Line Series
09-26 Urbana, IL – Pygmalion Fest
09-27 Ferndale, MI – DIY Street Fair
10-08 Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre (Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine)
10-14 Lexington, KY – The Burl
10-15 Bloomington, IN – The Bluebird
10-16 Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
10-17 Little Rock, AR – Harvestfest
10-18 Birmingham, AL – Lakeview Marina
10-20 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
10-21 Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
10-22 Chattanooga, TN – The Parlour at The Signal *
11-22 Mexico City, Mexico – Corona Capital
12-19 Chicago, IL – Salt Shed
- (Shows marked with an asterisk feature support from Smidley.)
In a music industry that often prioritizes the "new" at the expense of the "lasting," Ratboys’ decision to linger on Singin’ to an Empty Chair and explore its various facets through a deluxe edition is a refreshing move. It allows the songs to breathe and evolve, proving that a great album is never truly finished—it is simply a starting point for further creation. Fans can expect the deluxe edition to land on streaming platforms and physical shelves this September, marking another chapter in the storied career of one of Chicago’s finest musical exports.
