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R&B Soul Visionary Son Little Returns With “In Orbit” And 2026 Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

R&B Soul Visionary Son Little Returns With “In Orbit” And 2026 Tour

Described as “a sumptuous blend of R&B and folk-pop” by WXPN’s The Key, Aaron Livingston aka Son Little is sharing “In Orbit” today, his first new music in three years. Sweet yet plaintive, Little pledges: “i’ll wait for you in orbit / but i don’t know how long that i can go.” Check out the song below.

“I read and watch a lot of science fiction, and I’m obsessed with the idea of a thing being in different places at the same time,” Little explains when discussing the meaning of the song. “In Orbit” plays with this idea lyrically, while using echoes and the spaces in my playing to suggest the great distance between lovers who for various reasons can’t be together.”

2022’s ‘Like Neptune’ established Son Little as the polyglot translator and rightful torchbearer of the celebrated musical tradition known as rhythm and blues. Continuing to revolutionize the modern understanding and expectation of the R&B sound, Son Little delivers an unadulterated transmission of Black American music performed in its praying and pleading mother tongue. With it, he completes the daunting tasks of confronting himself and pushing his sound to completion.

“I’ve always felt as though I was making music because I had to; something inside compelled me, fueled me,” Little shared. “This the first time in a long time I’m making music for the pure joy of creating.”

The result was a timeless body of work reflective of his deep internal desire to inhabit the most radiant version of himself and become a positive force in the lives of people around him. “Son Little’s Like Neptune is a stunning statement of purpose … his most emotionally vulnerable and sonically bold album yet,” declared Afropunk.

Son Little is currently on tour with Larkin Poe, crisscrossing Europe with upcoming shows in France, Munich, Warsaw, Madrid and more. He will also embark on a solo US run on November 29 with Candi Jenkins and a March 2026 West coast run has just announced this week. All upcoming tour dates are listed below.

2026 Tour Dates:
March 15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum
March 16 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
March 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubador
March 18 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
March 20 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
March 21 – Vancouver, BC @ The Pearl
March 25 – 29 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Festival

Folk Punk Icon Ani DiFranco Announces ‘The Spirit Of Ani’ With Lauren Coyle Rosen

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Folk Punk Icon Ani DiFranco Announces ‘The Spirit Of Ani’ With Lauren Coyle Rosen

New York, NY – Today, prolific singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco announces her
upcoming book, The Spirit of Ani, with coauthor Lauren Coyle Rosen, out March 3rd on
Akashic Books. The Spirit of Ani is a captivating journey of intimate reflections with
DiFranco, a pathbreaking, highly original artist of our time. In this powerful collaborative
work, the legendary musician/feminist/activist is in conversation with cultural
anthropologist Lauren Coyle Rosen. In these exchanges, Ani is remarkably open about
her creativity, spirituality, personal experiences, and evolving consciousness. She is
vulnerable and unapologetic, offering an unprecedented window into her fiercely prolific
journeys.

Preorder The Spirit of Ani HERE.

A limited number of preorders will include an autographed copy of the book and a signed Giclée print of Ani’s painting “Spirit Becomes Flesh,” which is reproduced here for the first time.

About The Spirt of Ani, DiFranco shares, “Lauren wanted to talk about my creative process and, more specifically, about its spiritual dimension – and so we did. I hope this book with be of some use to other seekers on the paths of feminism, spirituality
and creativity.”

Expanding on themes from her best-selling memoir No Walls and the Recurring Dream, Ani also offers fascinating reflections on contemporary popular culture—ranging from gender and queer politics, to the music industry in the virtual age, to climate change.

The book includes previously unpublished photographs and journal entries, song-birth
sheets, paintings, and the lyrics for some of her most treasured songs. The coauthors
explore how Ani’s music and art are profoundly tied to her experiences of the interconnectedness of all consciousness and tuning in to receive creative inspiration. Ani’s striking openness produces a book that is both meditative and activating. This is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the dedication, intuition, and vision that drive Ani’s lifelong journey of creating art that not only reflects, but also empowers, transforms, and heals.

Widely considered a feminist icon, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco is the mother of the
DIY movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label, Righteous
Babe Records, in 1990. She has released 23 albums, traversing folk, punk, hip-hop,
soul and electronic genres and addressing a range of autobiographical, political and
social issues. DiFranco is also a poet, author and Broadway performer. She released a
collection of poems and paintings titled Verses in 2007. Her memoir No Walls and the
Recurring Dream was a New York Times Top 10 best seller in 2019, and her children’s
books The Knowing and Show Up and Vote are out now. In 2024, DiFranco completed a
5-month run on Broadway as ‘Persephone’ in Hadestown.

Lauren Coyle Rosen is an award-winning author, artist, singer-songwriter, and cultural
anthropologist. Her nonfiction books include Hannibal Lokumbe (coauthored with
Hannibal Lokumbe), Law in Light, and Fires of Gold. She founded and writes for the
Spiritual Muses and is a fellow at Harvard University. She was formerly a cultural
anthropology professor at Princeton University, where she received the President’s
Award in Distinguished Teaching, among other honors. Coyle Rosen has also
published eight volumes of poetry and art. She is currently at work on her next
nonfiction book, Goddess: A History. In 2025, she released her first four music albums,
including, most recently, Athena Visions.

Queer Folk Duo Sweet Petunia Join Righteous Babe Records Roster

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Queer Folk Duo Sweet Petunia Join Righteous Babe Records Roster

Righteous Babe Records officially welcomes Sweet Petunia to its artist-driven roster, expanding a community rooted in independence, activism and fearless self-expression. The Boston-born duo bring a vibrant blend of loud queerness, grassroots politics and acoustic firepower, with upcoming single “Good Part” set to introduce this new chapter.

“Since founding Sweet Petunia seven and a half years ago,” the duo share, “the driving forces of our creativity and partnership have been a love of music, an intrinsic need to express loud and unabashed queerness, and a dedication to strong political and moral convictions.” After years immersed in Boston’s politically centered DIY scene, aligning with Righteous Babe felt like a natural fit.

“When presented with the opportunity to join forces with a label like Righteous Babe… it was an absolute no brainer,” they add, praising the collective’s artist-first ethos and community spirit. The partnership builds on shared values of autonomy, camaraderie and purpose-driven art.

Ani DiFranco echoes the excitement. “i want to welcome sweet petunia to the righteous babe family! we share so much DNA with our focus on community and social action and also that our instruments don’t need electricity! may they live long and prosper and carry the torch.” With “Good Part” on the horizon, Sweet Petunia step into the RBR fold with conviction and heart.

Folk Punk Trailblazer Ani DiFranco Reissues ‘Not a Pretty Girl’ For 30th Anniversary

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Folk Punk Trailblazer Ani DiFranco Reissues ‘Not a Pretty Girl’ For 30th Anniversary

Ani DiFranco marks 30 years of her landmark 1995 album ‘Not a Pretty Girl’ with a newly remastered anniversary reissue, available now exclusively via Righteous Babe Records. The album stands as a defining DIY statement, a fierce declaration of artistic autonomy that reshaped the independent music landscape and proved creators could retain control while commanding cultural impact.

Originally released on her own label, the record crystallized DiFranco’s refusal to bend to corporate systems, a stance echoed in “The Million You Never Made.” Its feminist core, foregrounding female anger and complexity, helped lay groundwork for ongoing conversations around identity and equality. The album remains as urgent and galvanizing as ever.

The 30th Anniversary Edition arrives with new 2025 remastering across vinyl and CD formats. The double vinyl features purple translucent pressings, a heavy stock gatefold with soft-touch matte finish, a 12-page booklet and a 12-inch art photo print of Ani shot by Mark Dellas, with select copies signed. The CD edition includes a 24-page booklet in a four-panel wallet.

Reverently repackaged by Grammy Award-winning art director Brian Grunert, this reissue honors the legacy of a record that redefined independence. Three decades on, ‘Not a Pretty Girl’ remains a rallying cry for artist control and unapologetic expression.

Double Vinyl 30th Anniversary Edition

New 2025 vinyl remastering
Heavy stock vertically oriented gatefold w/ soft touch matte finish
12-page booklet
12″ art photo print of Ani shot by Mark Dellas
2 standard weight purple translucent vinyl

CD 30th Anniversary Edition

New 2025 CD remastering
4-panel wallet with 24-page booklet

Indie Chamber Pop Duo Gracie And Rachel Ignite Protest Anthem “WTF”

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Indie Chamber Pop Duo Gracie And Rachel Ignite Protest Anthem “WTF”

Gracie and Rachel’s recent release on Righteous Babe Records, “WTF,” is a visceral call to consciousness in a moment of political chaos. With stark minimalism and unflinching lyrics, the duo captures the collective disorientation of watching our rights disappear, truth erode, and outrage become the norm. The song is both a reaction to rising authoritarianism and a refusal to stay silent, a galvanizing soundtrack to headlines that feel more surreal each day.

Newly reimagined by Brooklyn-based indie-pop artist Glassio, “WTF (the fuck the fuck)” brings a fresh catharsis to the original tune.

Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible” Pepsi Spot Still Oozes Cool

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible” Pepsi Spot Still Oozes Cool

Robert Palmer’s sleek, suited swagger met glossy brand power when Pepsi tapped into the energy of “Simply Irresistible” for one of its most stylish music video commercials. The spot leaned into Palmer’s signature aesthetic, sharp tailoring, hypnotic groove and that unmistakable cool detachment, turning a chart hit into a polished pop culture crossover moment. For longer than you would think, Palmer was simply the coolest mofo in the music world.

Taekwondo Legend Jhoon Rhee Delivers “Nobody Bother Me” Commercial Classic with E Street Band Member Nils Lofgren

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Taekwondo Legend Jhoon Rhee Delivers “Nobody Bother Me” Commercial Classic with E Street Band Member Nils Lofgren

Few local commercials have achieved cult status quite like the Jhoon Rhee Taekwondo “Nobody Bother Me” spot. Airing in the Metro Washington, DC area, the ad pairs martial arts bravado with a killer jingle written by Nils Lofgren, complete with the unforgettable chant, “Jhoon Rhee means might for right!” Two confident kids declare, “Nobody bothers me,” sealing its place in regional TV history. Equal parts motivational anthem and retro time capsule, the commercial remains a joyful reminder of when local advertising could punch its way into pop culture immortality.

Before The Fame, Hair Metal Heroes Cinderella Star In “Pat’s Dogs” Commercial

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Before The Fame, Hair Metal Heroes Cinderella Star In “Pat’s Dogs” Commercial

Long before arena tours and platinum records, hair metal upstarts Cinderella appeared in a scrappy 1983 cable commercial for a 24/7 hot dog cart called Pat’s Chili Dogs. Shot in exchange for free food and the promise of MTV airtime, the spot features the band belting an oddly infectious jingle, “Pat’s Dogs, the cook is never tired, Pat’s Dogs, the steam is always fired.” Amazing.

Berlin Electronic Producer Nadia Struiwigh Unveils “Kokoro” From ‘IKIGAI’

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

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Berlin Electronic Producer Nadia Struiwigh Unveils “Kokoro” From ‘IKIGAI’

Berlin-based Dutch DJ and producer Nadia Struiwigh introduces “Kokoro,” the first single from her upcoming album ‘IKIGAI,’ arriving in 2026 via her imprint Distorted Waves. Known for propulsive techno, Struiwigh shifts into intimate ambient and electronica terrain. “Kokoro,” meaning heart or spirit, signals a deeply personal chapter shaped by grief and reflection.

Created entirely on hardware in her Berlin apartment near Hermannplatz following her father’s passing, the album draws from circuits, signals and blinking lights that once connected them. “IKIGAI was born in the quiet space between grief and remembrance,” she explains. “Every sound, every sequence, every texture carries his fingerprint.”

“The name IKIGAI found me when I was at a crossroads,” she says. “Why am I still here? What am I still creating for?” Built using Japanese gear including Yamaha, KORG and Roland machines, the record weaves synthesized textures with field recordings from daily life, including her sister’s laughter, forming an intimate sonic tapestry.

“I built in silence and let the machines cry for me,” Struiwigh shares. With “Kokoro,” she channels memory into sound, opening a new era defined by atmosphere, vulnerability and electronic storytelling rooted in love and loss.

Pop Punk Revivalist Dylan Espeseth Ignites “Circles” With Raw Emotional Fire

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 22, 2026

0

Pop Punk Revivalist Dylan Espeseth Ignites “Circles” With Raw Emotional Fire

Pop-punk revivalist Dylan Espeseth unloads bottled frustration on “Circles,” a high-octane anthem that captures burnout, anxiety and the dizzying trap of repetition. Driven by pounding drums and urgent guitars, the track barrels forward with early-2000s pop-punk punch filtered through a modern emotional lens. It is fast, cathartic and brutally honest.

“I feel like I’ll never get better,” Espeseth admits. “Everything just happens over and over. I make the same mistakes, relive the same anxieties, sit and stare at the same walls. No matter how hard I try I feel like my life is just a cycle of misery.” The vulnerability fuels the hook, turning self-doubt into a rallying cry.

“Circles” marks the first taste of his debut full-length, fully produced by Aaron Sprinkle. The album, set for release in 2026, sharpens Espeseth’s blend of melodic instinct and emotional urgency. The production hits hard while keeping the confession front and center.

Raised on vinyl with his father and shaped by school orchestra, Espeseth draws from Fall Out Boy, Dashboard Confessional, Juice WRLD, Lil Peep and Bob Dylan. After teaching himself production during the pandemic, he carved a lane built on truth and connection. “Circles” surges forward with defiant energy.