American indie darlings Push Puppets share earworthy single ‘This Whole Endeavor'
05 March 2025
Newsdesk
Chicago's Push Puppets tease a wonderful track in "This Whole Endeavor”, which happens to be the latest track to grace our ears from their highly anticipated album “Tethered Together”, dropping May 16 via Flowering Tree Music. Fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Erich Specht, this indie pop-rock band crafts infectious melodies and polished production, weaving heartfelt lyrics that dive deep into bittersweet emotions.
"This Whole Endeavor" captures the highs and lows of a relationship's end, starting with a catchy piano hook and flowing, sincere lyrics. The song unfolds a tale of love gone wrong, from a chance meeting at a bar to the inevitable breakup, with vivid imagery like "a vapor trail across the auburn sky." The reflective bridge leads to a powerful finale, as Specht, now sharing his bed with his basset hound, can't help but wish his ex was still there.
Behind its rock elements, this song reveals the perfect balance between accessibility and pop sensibilities to create a dynamic that feels both engaging and introspective.
Having made quite a name for themselves, Push Puppets is primarily the solo project of songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Erich Specht. However, this record offers a beneficial and highly interesting twist of fate in terms of the blossoming of his melodic sound, here performing as a quintet.
On this track, Specht is joined by Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums), as well as Tommi Zender (back vocals and guitar) for this track. On this particular album, they are joined with a string quartet on most songs and a horn section on one.
Regarding this single, Specht shares, "I get a kick out of referring to love at first sight as ‘a trainwreck just about to happen’. My Pete Townshend fandom might be apparent in this one between the 70s synth phrases and guitar smacks. As much as I hate to admit it, after reflecting on the lyrics, it seems clear that this song is somewhat about the relationship with my ex-wife".
Effortlessly blending catchy melodies with heartfelt emotion, Push Puppets marks another impressive chapter in their evolving sound. Push Puppets earlier released “All Together on3”, kicking things off in the most beautiful Crowded House-esque way.
Frontman 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.
"This album offers a nod to the artistic excesses of the 70s, whether it's a wall of phased vocals or a moment where guitars and strings rip a quick line together between phrases. The tracks are widely varied yet cohesive - and within a given song, you're likely to be taken elsewhere" says Erich Specht.
The first single 'All Together On 3' put listeners on notice that this album will be pushing musical boundaries. This second single, 'This Whole Endeavor', assures that the album will rock.
As of March 5, 'The Whole Endeavor' 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.
