27 October 2026 – Chicago Indie Rockers The Back Alley Announce Debut Album Back At Home and Release Pick Me Up

Chicago indie-rock quintet The Back Alley have announced their debut album Back At Home, scheduled for January 22, 2027. The announcement is accompanied by "Pick Me Up", a new single written while the musicians were touring. The song examines the frustration of being separated from loved ones by circumstances beyond personal control, an experience that becomes particularly familiar to musicians spending extended periods travelling between venues.

The group formed in 2022 and consists of vocalist Ralph Porter, guitarist Jaden Cone, drummer Ben Kremer, and Sal Defilippis and Hunter Olshefke, who are also associated with Ax & the Hatchetmen. Their earlier release Live From Picture-Minded Studio introduced a guitar-driven sound built around memorable melodies and energetic arrangements. According to the band, "Pick Me Up" represents a transition between that original musical identity and the more mature approach developed for their debut album.

The Back Alley have been building their audience through persistent touring, supporting artists including Hippo Campus, DICE, Empire of the Sun, The Runarounds, and West 22nd. Their current schedule includes additional performances with DICE and The Stews, while headline dates are expected to be announced separately.

Back At Home represents an important milestone for a young band attempting to translate live momentum into a substantial recorded statement. The album's title also captures a familiar contradiction in independent music. Musicians often spend months travelling to build a career that might eventually allow them to spend slightly more time at home. Unfortunately, nobody has yet developed a reliable method of promoting a touring band without occasionally requiring the musicians to leave the house. Follow more emerging guitar bands in our indie rock coverage.