Chicago indie rockers Ratboys bring their latest album, Singin’ to an Empty Chair, to The Pink Room at YES at the end of May. The band’s fifth album expands on the emotionally resonant, country-tinged indie rock that has defined their sound for over a decade.
Frontwoman Julia Steiner’s lyrics on the record explore themes of connection, rupture, and reconciliation, weaving intimate reflections on relationships with broader, sometimes dreamlike narratives. Tracks such as “Open Up” and “Just Want You to Know the Truth” combine gentle, shifting guitars with Steiner’s warm, vulnerable vocals, inviting listeners into the spaces between memory, longing, and understanding. Musically, the album moves from tightly wound indie pop to the relaxed sway of country rock, occasionally venturing into expansive, meditative arrangements, with the full band locked in together for the first time on every track.
Produced by Chris Walla, the album balances careful preparation with room for experimentation, creating a sound that feels both immediate and far-reaching. Fans can expect a performance that mirrors this diversity: intimate and heartfelt, yet sonically expansive, with moments of quiet reflection alongside sprawling, immersive passages. Ratboys’ live set promises the same cohesion and emotional depth that makes Singin’ to an Empty Chair their most compelling work to date.
