Push Puppets ○ Tethered Together

  From CANADA 

Chicago-based indie pop-rock outfit Push Puppets present the single 'Shake It Like You Mean It', a lighthearted Spanish-tinged rocker about lowering your inhibitions, showcasing their fourth multifaceted album 'Tethered Together', released via Flowering Tree Music. After sharing a few reasons why it’s better to let it all out, that attitude is personified in a playful guitar solo that dances it’s way to the final choruses where the string quartet and the wall of vocals make it hard to not shake along

Push Puppets creates songs with earworm melodies and shiny production that belie often-bittersweet sentiments. This is the creative outlet for singer-songwriter and guitarist Erich Specht (lead vocals, guitar), who is joined by a core of Steve Frisbie (backup vocals, guitar), Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums).

"For such a simple little song, I enjoy how each verse explores a different facet of why it's best to express yourself fully," says Erich Specht.

The video is presented like a silent movie, featuring footage of pie fights, magic, and of course dancing hard dating back to the period 1894-1927. Produced by Scott Thiele and Sebastian Gonzales with video editing and animation by Tcomas Studio, Push Puppets are joined here by a string quartet, comprised of Stephanie “Sly” Young on violin, Katherine Andrick on viola, Molly Rife on cello and Kelly Jozwiak on violin (note: Janis Sakai performs in the audio recording).

Produced by Doug McBride (Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Silversun Pickups, Cheap Trick) and Erich Specht, ‘Tethered Together’ was mixed and mastered by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios in Chicago. Most of the songs on this album also involve a string quartet, with a horn section on one.

With impeccable songwriting that shines with lush harmonies, angular guitars, dramatic keyboards and strings backed by a smoking rhythm section, Erich Specht muses on relationships, loss, and the weight and joy of life. Poetic and seemingly effortless, his lyrics fit to the melody like pieces of a puzzle. Wearing his vulnerabilities like a badge of honor, this music takes us on a journey to unexpected places.

Push Puppets recently shared 'Launching a Satellite', a brilliant hymn on insecurity with its striking interplay between strings and electric guitar.  Other album highlights include 'This Whole Endeavor' with the ebb and flow of a past relationship set to a memorable piano riff, the arena-rock anthem ‘Similar’, exploring universal connections, the super-catchy 'Hearts Aren’t Souvenirs', the AM-friendly anthem 'Probably', and 'All Together On 3', highlighting the strength found in unity.

After a lighthearted interlude with the retro rocker 'Tell Colleen to Calm Down', the album delves into the pain of lost love in the Americana-influenced 'Hearts Are Fragile' before reaching a powerful and dramatic conclusion with 'The Logical Conclusion', driven by intense strings and piano.

The 'Tethered Together' album is out now, available on CD, digitally on fine digital platforms. It can be obtained in either format directly from the artist via Bandcamp. 

"Push Puppets know how to make music that is vaguely familiar and brilliantly original; songs that already feel like classics... the honest and relatable lyrics makes you think of the best of Difford or Tilbrook’s post-Squeeze creations" 
~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Meticulously crafted soundscapes recalling the infectious hooks of Fastball, clever lyrical turns of Ben Folds Five, the shimmering polish of Gin Blossoms... a clear understanding how to construct compelling musical moments" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Melodic rock with a philosophical, optimistic message... a warm, radio-friendly sound... the string quartet contributes an extra dimension to the song’s dramatic effect" ~ Skylight Webzine

"The perfect balance between accessibility and pop sensibilities to create a dynamic that feels both engaging and introspective... Effortlessly blending catchy melodies with heartfelt emotion, Push Puppets marks another impressive chapter in their evolving sound" ~ Music-News.com
 

Push Puppets

Tethered Together

'Shake It Like You Mean It' video out July 29.
Album released via Flowering Tree Music

29 July 2025

TRACK LIST

01 Similar (3:37)
02 Hearts Aren't Souvenirs (4:36)
03 Probably (3:29)
04 All Together On 3 (5:00)
05 Launching a Satellite (4:17)
06 This Whole Endeavor (4:35)
07 Tell Colleen to Calm Down (3:50)
08 Shake It Like You Mean It (3:10)
09 Hearts Are Fragile (3:29)
10 The Logical Conclusion (4:21)

ALBUM CREDITS
Lyrics & music by Erich Specht (ASCAP)
Produced by Doug McBride and Erich Specht
Mixed & mastered by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios
Recorded in Chicago at Gravity Studios and Erich Specht's studio
Erich Specht – lead vocals, guitars, string arrangements
Steve Frisbie – backup vocals
Kyle Magnusson – keyboards
John William Lauler – bass
Greg Essig - drums
Stephanie “Sly” Young – violin
Janis Sakai – violin
Katherine Andrick – viola
Molly Rife – cello
Mitch “The Lip” Goldman – trumpet on ;Hearts Aren't Souvenirs’
Tom Trinka – saxophone on ‘Hearts Aren't Souvenirs"
Norman Friede – trombone on ‘Hearts Aren't Souvenirs’
Tommi Zender – add. vocals, guitar, charango on
 ‘This Whole Endeavor’ & ‘Hearts Are Fragile’
Cover artwork by Crow Prints
Released & published by Flowering Tree Music (ASCAP)
Videos produced by Scott Thiele and Sebastian Gonzales
Video editing and animation by Tcomas Studio
Artist photos by Gabi Bucataru
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 

Keep up with Push Puppets
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook 
 Instagram | BlueSky | YouTube 
 TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music

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