The members of Ratboys were teenagers when they met by chance, and now in their 30s, the Chicago band formed by two college friends almost two decades ago appears to be on the brink of something big.

The band's sophomore LP releases Friday ahead of two sold-out shows at Thalia Hall in April. A January album preview at Schubas Tavern sold out within 55 seconds.

Read this story for free. To continue reading, sign up for The Rundown and get unlimited access to WBEZ.org. Chicago soul band Hollyy released their debut album last week. They’re celebrating this ...

Singer, guitarist, and composer Hannah Frances recorded her breakout 2024 album, Keeper of the Shepherd, in Vermont, and now lives there full-time. But she still has one foot planted here. “I come to ...