Chicago's Ratboys Give a Goldfish a Big Day Out in New 'Anywhere' Video

Chicago's Ratboys have released a new song from their upcoming album, 'Singin' to an Empty Chair', titled 'Anywhere'. The track is infused with the anxious restlessness of yearning, bolstered by its twangy power-pop energy and rumbling drums. Julia Steiner's powerful vocals deliver the emotional lyrics: "I can't relax now/I can't, you're gone/But when you're back/I'm going anywhere/That you're going."

To accompany the release, a heartwarming music video was released, showcasing a man bonding with his beloved pet - a goldfish. The duo is seen enjoying diner breakfasts together, reading in the park, and taking a dip on Lake Michigan's shores to take in the Chicago skyline.

The song draws inspiration from guitarist Dave Sagan's family dog, whose anxious attachment style has captured Steiner's attention. "Whenever Dave's mom leaves the room, oh man, his whole world just falls apart," she noted. This sentiment resonates with many listeners, as Steiner believes that the experience of making this record has given her hope for the future.

'Singin' to an Empty Chair' is set to be released on February 6, 2026, and was written and recorded at a cabin in Wisconsin's Driftless Area, as well as sessions at Electrical Audio in Chicago and Rosebud Studio in Evanston. The album will be co-produced by Chris Walla, who also handled their previous record 'The Window'.

Steiner aims to document her experience of being estranged from a close loved one through this new record. She wants to bridge the gap between them and reach out for connection. "A big, overarching theme of this record is my attempt to update this person on what's been going on in my life," she explained.

While 'Singin' to an Empty Chair' may have a melancholic tone, Steiner notes that it also brings hope for the future. The album will be released with a North American tour, kicking off February 25th in Detroit and wrapping up April 18th with a hometown show in Chicago.

As the release of 'Anywhere' highlights, Ratboys are once again delivering emotionally charged indie rock, accompanied by infectious melodies that capture their signature power-pop energy.

omg i just got the most amazing idea for a new recipe u know how they say "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down"? well what if we took that to the next level and made a cake with activated charcoal powder? like, it'd be so cool! think about it, you could have this whole 'mysterious' vibe going on while eating your fave dessert i've been meaning to try out that stuff anyway...

omg u guys i just listened to chicago's ratboys new song 'anywhere' and it's like... my heart julia steiner's vocals are giving me life she's so raw and emotional about her experience of being estranged from someone close to her but at the same time, there's this hope for the future that's just so inspiring i love how the music video is also super sweet, showing Julia bonding with her dog ... anyway, if u haven't listened to 'anywhere' yet, u gotta check it out!

I'm all about these emotional power-pop vibes ! Julia Steiner's vocals are insane on this one - I feel like she's literally pouring her heart out. And can we talk about how adorable the music video is? The bond between Dave and his goldfish is giving me all the feels . I love how Ratboys are tackling tough topics like being estranged from a loved one, but still managing to infuse it with hope for the future. Can't wait to dive into their new album 'Singin' to an Empty Chair' in Feb 2026

lol idk why they gotta make songs about rats... but seriously, who wouldn't wanna bond over breakfast & lake views with their goldfish BFF? steiner's got a point tho - being estranged can be super tough, but at least she's makin' music about it and also, chris walla co-producin' that's like, the ultimate power-pop dream team

the music video is super heartwarming it's amazing how they managed to convey Julia Steiner's emotional lyrics through the visuals, especially with the bonding scenes between her and the goldfish . i love how the song itself has that twangy power-pop energy - it's so catchy! what's also interesting is that Dave Sagan's family dog inspired the song, and now we know that Julia Steiner has been touched by his anxious attachment style . anyway, i'm excited for 'Singin' to an Empty Chair' and can't wait to see how it all comes together

I just got back from vacation and I'm still trying to get used to my phone's autocorrect . So like, have you ever noticed how some songs can just evoke such strong emotions? Like, I was listening to this song 'Anywhere' by Ratboys and it totally made me think of my own grandma... anyway back to the song . I love that they're talking about being anxious and stuff, but at the same time it's so uplifting? And that music video with the goldfish is just too cute . I'm also kinda obsessed with Chris Walla, he seems like such a cool producer...

Ugh I'm so over these new music trends Anywayz, this song 'Anywhere' is kinda growin on me... The guitar riffs are pretty catchy & Julia Steiner's vocals are insane! But you know what's even more chill? Watchin a dude hang out with his goldfish in the park while makin a music video I'm not mad at that. And omg, their next album 'Singin' to an Empty Chair' is gonna be so good! Chris Walla co-producin it's like the icing on the cake Can't wait for the tour in Feb 2026

I'm so excited for this new album! The music video for 'Anywhere' is so sweet and I love how they incorporated the goldfish into it . Julia Steiner's vocals are giving me all the feels, it's like she's singing directly to my soul . I can totally relate to the anxiety and restlessness in this song, it's like she's speaking straight to mine . And I love how they're trying to bridge the gap between her and someone close to them - hope for the future is so important! The fact that Dave Sagan's family dog inspired this song is just too cute Can't wait for February 6th, pre-ordering it ASAP!

I'm loving the new track from Ratboys ! The anxiety and yearning vibes really resonate with me, you know? It's like they're singing directly to your soul . And can we talk about how adorable is the music video with Dave's family dog? A goldfish? That's just too cute . Julia Steiner's vocals are always on point, and it sounds like this new album is really personal for her - I'm excited to hear more about that . Maybe we can expect some emotional rollercoaster vibes from the rest of the record? Fingers crossed they deliver

The new Ratboys song is giving me LIFE ! I love how they're tackling complex emotions like longing and connection in a way that's both deeply personal and universally relatable. Julia Steiner's vocals are insane, as always . The music video for 'Anywhere' is so wholesome and heartwarming - who doesn't need to see a guy bonding with his goldfish? The lyrics have me feeling all the feels, and I can already tell that this album is going to be a real emotional rollercoaster ride. Can't wait for February 6th!

I'm feeling like this new song from Ratboys is super relatable , especially when it comes to Julia Steiner's lyrics about longing for someone who's no longer in your life. It's like she's speaking straight to the heart of a lot of people out there. I mean, can we talk about how politics often try to sweep away our emotions and individual experiences? But with music like this, it feels like artists are pushing back against that and saying "no, we want to feel and explore these complex emotions". It's all about human connection and understanding, you know? And in a way, I think that's what the Ratboys are trying to do with 'Singin' to an Empty Chair'. By sharing their own personal stories, they're giving us permission to process our own feelings.

man i think julia steiner is being super relatable here she's talking about these deep emotions & attachment issues with her fam member and it's not like she's trying to be dramatic or anything...i mean, who hasn't felt that way right? the music video is actually kinda adorbs too, love how it shows her bonding with her goldfish tho

Man, I'm totally vibin' with this new song from Ratboys - 'Anywhere' is like, the perfect blend of anxious emotions and catchy hooks . I love how Julia Steiner's vocals bring this emotional depth to the track, it's like she's speaking directly to our souls. And can we talk about that music video for a sec? That dude bonding with his goldfish is literally the most heartwarming thing I've seen all year . It's clear that Steiner drew inspiration from her own experiences and is pouring her heart out on this album, 'Singin' to an Empty Chair'. I'm so hyped for the release in February 2026 - it's gonna be a wild ride of emotions, but I'm all about it .

man i love how this song is like super relatable cuz weve all had those moments where were so anxious to reconnect with someone special but at the same time its dope to see julia steiner sharing her story thru music & it sounds like shes really found hope in this new album, which is honestly super inspiring

I'm so stoked for this new album from Ratboys, I've been following them since their earlier stuff and they're just getting better ! The way Julia Steiner pours her heart out in 'Anywhere' is honestly giving me all the feels - it's like she's speaking straight to my soul. And that music video? Too cute for words . I mean, who wouldn't want to bond with their goldfish over breakfast and lake views? It's like they're the ultimate couple goals . What really resonates with me is how Steiner's using her experience of being estranged from someone close to create something that's both melancholic and hopeful - it's like she's putting her finger on this universal human feeling we all can relate to . I'm definitely going to be tuning in for the North American tour, especially since they're coming to Chicago in April!

I'm loving this new song "Anywhere" from Ratboys! The music video with the dude and his goldfish is too cute . I can feel the anxiety and longing in Julia's vocals, it's like she's singing directly to me . The way Dave Sagan's family dog inspired her songwriting is so cool . It's amazing how a record can be both melancholic and hopeful at the same time . I'm definitely counting down till February 6th for "Singin' to an Empty Chair"

**Diagram:** A simple diagram of a heart with two overlapping circles, one representing hope and the other longing

They should just get a dog already, make it easier to write about anxiety

You know, I was listening to this new song from Ratboys and it hit me, we all go through those moments where everything just feels empty and we're left wondering if things will ever get better . It's like, we're searching for that connection, that feeling of being seen and heard by someone else. And I think that's what this song is really about - the longing for human touch in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

But what struck me was how they turned their personal experience into something so universal. We've all had those moments where we're left behind or feeling lost, right? It's like, that ache in our chest, that sense of disconnection. And I think that's what makes this song so powerful - it's not just about the band's personal struggles, but about our own experiences too.

It's also interesting to see how the music video was made, with this guy bonding with his goldfish... it's like, we're reminded that connection can come from unexpected places . Maybe it's not always with humans, maybe it's with something (or someone) else that feels like a companion. Anyway, I'm excited for their new album and the emotions it's going to evoke

I'm so down for this new album, it's like they're speaking straight to my soul The way Julia Steiner pours her heart out in those lyrics is just beautiful And can we talk about that music video? A goldfish companion is everything I love how the band is using their personal experiences and emotions into this record. It's like they're saying, "Hey, it's okay to not be okay"