SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: PUSH PUPPETS – “SIMILAR”

PUSH PUPPETS – “SIMILAR”

A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE

Once in a while, a band comes onto your radar that surprises you – they’ve been around for a good while, their music is awesome, their music has been well received by the music press, and they don’t even live that far from you, but you’re just hearing about them now. Today is one of those days where we can pay the pleasure forward – so now you too can enjoy this fresh find from a band that itself is not-so-new after all.

Based in Chicago, Push Puppets is the creative outlet for singer-songwriter and guitarist Erich Specht, currently a five-piece involving Steve Frisbie (backup vocals, guitar), Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums). Crafting catchy indie rock with superb pop sensibilities, today we present their new single “Similar”, a catchy track that calls to mind such artists as the Presidents of the USA,

Blending elements of The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” and the pop allure of mainstream 90s college rock, Push Puppets have a winning formula here. On this song, they are joined 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).

Previewing the band’s fourth long-play album Tethered Together (out on May 16 via Flowering Tree Music, the video for “Similar” is produced by Scott Thiele and Sebastian Gonzales with editing and animation by Metamorse Studio. The video features eye-popping animations of DNA, brain synapses, x-rays, fireworks and other imagery that support the lyrics.

“Similar” is the third vibrant teaser of their record, their meticulously crafted soundscapes recalling the infectious hooks of Fastball, clever lyrical turns of Ben Folds Five, the shimmering polish of Gin Blossoms. The Shins and Toad the Wet Sprocket also come to mind here. With a clear understanding how to construct compelling musical moments, their production allows each element to gleam, resulting in tracks that are both immediately engaging and possess a lasting resonance.

On Tethered Together, Erich Specht muses on relationships and loss, as well as the weight and joy of life, in a manner that is poetic and seems effortless, his lyrics fitting 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.

As of April 16, “Similar” is available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The Tethered Together album, now available for pre-order, will be released digitally and on CD on May 16. Push Puppets will hold their album release show at Robert’s Westside in Forest Park, IL on May 30. Tickets can be had at https://link.dice.fm/Ea70b8e06c96.

Single 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 home studio
Erich Specht – lead vocals, guitars, string arrangements
Kyle Magnusson – keyboards
John William Lauler – bass
Greg Essig – drums
Stephanie “Sly” Young – violin
Janis Sakai – violin
Katherine Andrick – viola
Molly Rife – cello
Cover artwork by Crow Prints
Released & published by Flowering Tree Music (ASCAP)
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 
Artist studio photos by Gintas Zaranka

While you are here, you can also enjoy their previous two singles “All Together on 3” and “This Whole Endeavor”:

Push Puppets
[Single]
(Flowering Tree Music)
Release Date: April 16, 2025

Artist Links

Background Photo Credit: Gintas Zaranka