I can’t believe it! This little project I started to play a random show has now been around for half a decade. Pushmi-Pullyu is now five years old. It started with me, a midi controller, and a basement full of drunk college kids. That night, Corey Murphy joined me for a keyboard solo, and he soon became my right-hand man. After being a duo for quite some time, Myles Coyne joined us for a bit. Since then, others have come and gone, each imparting some part of their personality. Together, through all the permutations, Pushmi-Pullyu has played SIXTY shows! Not bad for never touring.

The last year and a half has been completely taken up with Never Love A Stranger, the first proper full-length release of our material. There have been other releases, of course – a mostly-solo collection of rough cuts to hold people over while I lived in Norway; a split with Mark Roberts (aka The Enright House, now known as We Are Temporary); a few singles and compilation appearances. Now, we’re get ready to move forward with the band and our new lineup: Corey Murphy, Luke Annear, Sam Ludwig, Jamie Yanda and me, John Praw Kruse.

According to the National Network for Child Care,

“Five-year-olds are cheerful, energetic, and enthusiastic. They enjoy planning, and spend a great deal of time discussing who will do what. They especially enjoy dramatic play, usually with other children. Five-year-olds are more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others around them. It is less difficult for them to wait for a turn or to share toys and material.”

Going by that description, it’s time for us to share our toys and material. For the next week, Never Love A Stranger is completely free! We hope you enjoy it, and we hope you stick around for the next five years. On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who has ever supported the band by buying merch, coming to a show, or leaving a nice comment. It means a lot!