Our new album
is out now!
So thrilled to share our new album, made with the wonderful kids musician Suzi Shelton! Produced by the incredible (and GRAMMY®-winning) producer Dean Jones, and featuring amazing guests like Little Miss Ann, Hot Toast Music Company, Katie Ha Ha Ha, and Jason Rabinowitz of the Pop Ups.
It’s a sweet, playful, and joyful celebration of friendship for all ages, and we couldn’t be more excited for you to hear it.
'We’re Friends Now' is a celebration of friendship: making new friends, bonding with people who are different from you, sharing meals and adventures and even a very confusing train ride. (You’ll see!)
In a world that can isolate and divide us, 'We’re Friends Now' is a return to what matters most for our young people and beyond— building connection, support and JOY with the friends around us.
The album features 11 folk, indie, and pop-inspired songs, written and performed by award-winning children’s musicians Suzi Shelton and Benjamin Weiner (of Princess Backpack and Benjamin) and produced their friend, the GRAMMY®️-winning Dean Jones, with guest appearances by Little Miss Ann, Hot Toast Music Company, Katie Ha Ha Ha, and Jason Rabinowitz from the Pop Ups.
We hope you enjoy, and guess what? We’re friends now!
Love,
Benjamin & Suzi
credits
released March 6, 2026
We’re Friends Now by Suzi Shelton and Benjamin
A New Folk-Pop Project for Kids
Backpackia Records
Produced by Dean Jones at No Parking Studios, Rosendale, NY
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Music
Recorded 2024 - 2025
Release on March 6th, 2026
DistroKid - distribution
Jason Rabinowitz - co-producer of Best Rester
Jessica Jones - sax
Mark Murphy - upright bass
Melody Allegra Berger - violin/fiddle
Rebecca Coupe Franks - trumpet
Katie Ha Ha Ha - vocals
Little Miss Ann - special guest
Hot Toast Music Company - special guest
Kids - Zahi Weiner Alfonso, River Shrenka, Wilhelmina Powers, Hailey Levine and Marlowe Congar
MetaData:
album title: We’re Friends Now
artists: Suzi Shelton and Benjamin
label: Backpackia Records
release date: Friday, March 6th 2026
Producer: Dean Jones
Recorded at No Parking Studios, Tilson, NY
Copyright: Backpackia Records 2026
all rights reserved