Push Puppets

Push Puppets’ critically acclaimed 2025 release "Tethered Together" has drawn comparisons to Squeeze, Nick Lowe, XTC and Ben Folds in both the quirky writing and the gloriously polished production.

Push Puppets consists of Erich Specht (lead vocals, guitar), Steve Frisbie (backup vocals, guitar), Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums).

“Tethered Together” muses on relationships and loss as well as the weight and joy of life in a manner effortlessly poetic and married to the track like puzzle pieces. The band continues to churn out pop/rock would-be classics as they work on their fifth album, which will be released in 2027.

The Embryos

The Embryos formed in autumn 2016 when George T. Drag (Butterflies, Honda Pavarotti) joined up with Finn Swingley, Brian Daley, and Joe Daley (Demilos, Soft Speaker, The Saturday Nights). The Embryos have been a fixture on the Chicago music scene including numerous appearances at International Pop Overthrow fest and a highly successful 2024 residency at Montrose Saloon. Influences include Nick Lowe, Teenage Fan Club, and XTC.