The life and legacy of Lil BUB, the world’s most cherished cat, will be celebrated with the release of Lil BUB: The Earth Years, a hand-numbered, limited-edition, 376-page coffee table book and exclusive 7″ record, Transmissions From Space, (featuring two new pieces composed by Lil BUB herself, from her intergalactic afterlife) releasing May 21 via Melodic Virtue. The artful docu-journal was lovingly compiled by her “dude” Mike Bridavsky and features beautiful photos and a complete chronological, biographical commentary about her extraordinary life as well as an intro from Jackson Galaxy, foreword by Steve Albini, and exclusive quotes from Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Black, El-P (Run The Jewels), Andrew W.K., Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Kimya Dawson, David Yow (The Jesus Lizard), Aesop Rock, and more. The casebound, 9″x9″ book is limited to 3500 numbered copies (3000 standard, 500 deluxe edition), with the deluxe versions signed by Mike Bridavsky and artist Aaron Tanner and packaged inside a silver-embossed slipcase paired with a full color 7″ picture disc of the music (standard edition contains regular black vinyl). An additional 80-page book of Lil BUBinspired artwork titled Transmissions From Earth: Original Art Inspired by Lil BUB is also included in the deluxe package, along with a 2″ minted commemorative coin housed in individually-numbered, wooden display boxes. 30% of the book’s proceeds will benefit Lil BUB’s Big FUND, a 501c3 non-profit established by her family to advocate for animals with special needs.

In celebration of the release day, Aesop Rock made an exclusive track just for BUB. Lil Bub’s former caretaker/owner, Mike Bridavsky explains: “Shortly after BUB passed away in December of 2019, we started planning a Memorial Event in our town of Bloomington, IN. The 800 seat venue sold out within days, and people were flying in from all over the country for it with guest appearances from Steve Albini, David Yow, Blasko, and Aesop Rock. For this event,  Aesop Rock prepared a beautiful rhyme in her honor. Unfortunately nobody ever got to hear it because the event was cancelled literally the day before due to the first lockdown restrictions that were enforced due to the pandemic. Now, a year and some months later, Aesop’s rhyme will finally be heard in an exclusive video showcasing Lil BUB’s New Commemorative Book, accompanied by one of BUB’s original extra-terrestrial compositions.”

 
Sharing his thoughts about both her life and the book release, Bridavsky, states, “Ever since BUB landed on Earth back in the summer of 2011, she has brought immeasurable positivity, hope, and happiness to millions of people all over our planet. Since the moment I took the first photo of BUB’s remarkable face, I’ve had the dream of making a deluxe coffee table photo book featuring her photographs. And as with all things BUB, everything came together serendipitously after she departed back into space and our longtime friend and collaborator Aaron Tanner (who was responsible for designing BUB’s website, and most of her merchandise) began designing and manufacturing coffee table books for notable bands. To commemorate the unmistakable good she brought to us in her 8+ short years on Earth, Aaron and I have decided to collaborate on this beautiful book in honor of one of the Most Amazing Cats On the Planet: LilL BUB.”