Draft:Pullstring (band)

Pullstring is an American alternative/indie rock band based in Minneapolis, MN that formed in late 2021. The band's current lineup consists of Alex Fuller (guitar/vocals), Chris Cuellar (bass), Josh Toke (guitar/piano), and Will Keebler (drums). Their debut album All I Know Is What I've Seen was released on December 9, 2022.

Formation (2020-2021)
The project that led to the creation of Pullstring was formed by guitarist/manager Josh Toke. He brought together friends that were musicians in order to record some demos that Toke had. The band first started out a project between Toke and drummer Tristan McGlauchlen called The Choads. Throughout 2021, McGlauchlen and Toke regularly met at Toke's studio to jam on song ideas and experiment with recording. Several demos were written and recorded including "Haunted", "B.O.P.", and "Dunes" during this time period.

Towards the end of 2021, Toke sponsored and booked a studio session at Basques Productions to take place over a weekend towards the end of January 2022. Around the same time period, Toke also met Alex Fuller via a mutual friend - they had never met until they had a jam session in Toke's basement studio. By the end of their second session in November 2021, "Isolated" and "Sunday Afternoon" were put together ahead of the "Greatest Threads EP" sessions.

Greatest Threads EP (2022)
Pullstring recorded and released an EP entitled Greatest Threads EP in January 2022. All recording of the EP was done on January 22nd and 23rd at Basques Productions in Saint Paul, MN. Some work was done on a sixth track titled "Dunes" but the band determined it would not be ready for the EP.

Josh "J-Ho" Hogan was present to contribute lyrics/vocals and Connor Gonzalez joined the band at Toke's request when the previous bassist did not show up to second day of the session. Zach Gonet was the sound engineer and mixing engineer while Macky Mikunda was the mastering engineer on this project. Towards the end of the session, Fuller suggested that the band name should be "Pullstring."

Pullstring's debut single "Sunday Afternoon" was released on April 1st, 2022 followed by the release of the EP on April 29th, 2022.

My Nguyen of Pitch Perfect said of the EP, ""From fast and hard-hitting to slower and more ambient grooves, the record [Greatest Threads EP] has it all here. The band keeps you on your toes throughout, throwing at you both unexpected and familiar tunes at once."

All I Know Is What I've Seen (2022)
Pullstring's debut album and singles from the album were recorded throughout 2022 with some sessions occurring as early as March 2022. Gonet and Mikunda were tapped again for post-production on this project. Twenty Something was the first song recorded shortly after the "Greatest Threads EP" and completed on July 8th, 2022.

Three singles were released ahead of Pullstring's debut album starting with a radio edit version of "Twenty Something" on August 12th, 2022. "When It Began" and "The Only Thing" were released on November 11, 2022 and November 25th respectively.

All songs are by Alex Fuller with the exception of "Dunes" which is by Fuller, McGlauchlen, and Toke.

Bowe of Good Music Radar said of "The Only Thing" single: "The song [The Only Thing] swells with the warmth of a winter fire, with fuzzy riffs accentuating the soundscape with fresh melodies. Mellow vocals roam melancholically in the compelling walls of guitar riffs. With the passion of prayer, the vocals desperately reiterate the reality of the protagonist."

Dev Patel of Sinusoidal Music said of the "When It Began" single: "The melody is so simple yet catchy and has an amazing alt rock vibe of 90s. The chorus kick in with full power and change in chord progression. The harmonies in the vocals and catchy hook makes the chorus so memorable...The guitar solo makes the track a perfect rock song with its rocking and face melting feels."

Present Day
Pullstring embarked on their first tour across the MidWest in March 2023 beginning with a headlining show at the 7th Street Entry on March 6th, 2023. After the tour, Pullstring and Tristan amicably split ways to better focus on their own individual goals.

After an online search and auditioning drummers, Toke found Will Keebler before the 2023 Midwest tour and brought him to replace McGlauchlen on drums. Throughout the summer of 2023, the new lineup focused on playing shows between Minnesota and Wisconsin while writing new music.

On Thursday September 14th, Pullstring released a cover of "Can't Hardly Wait" by the Replacements. Around this time, Connor Gonzalez chose to leave the band to pursue outside opportunities. Toke brought in Chris Cuellar to audition and the latter responded to an online ad.

Pullstring released their first original material on February 29th, 2024 with single "Pull It!" along with b-side "Spring Is Here".

Studio Albums

 * All I Know Is What I've Seen (2022)

EPs

 * Greatest Threads EP (2022)
 * Live and Concussed EP (2023)

Singles

 * Pull It! (2024)
 * Can't Hardly Wait (2023)
 * The Only Thing (2022)
 * When It Began (2022)
 * Twenty Something - Radio Edit (2022)
 * Sunday Afternoon (2022)