ALLEY MATTRESS - BLUSH MN (DULUTH) - 7/31/2021
Review by: Josh Eiberg Writer @jooddityart
Edited by: Eric Martin, Writer/Editor @eamartin95
You see a mattress in an alleyway. It is meant to be good luck. That’s the motto of Alley Mattress’s founding member, Ish McDonald. Alley Mattress has gone on a Midwest tour this summer that ranged from Chicago to Duluth. The band’s music has splashes of punk and blues over unconventional song structures. Alley Mattress states that their purpose is fast-paced shows and music to get rowdy to. On July 31st, Alley Mattress performed to help gain awareness about the Line 3 Pipeline.
Like so many bands during the COVID-19 pandemic, making an EP and touring faced a few challenges. However, Alley Mattress came together to make both goals a reality. In 2021, they released the tracks “Serpent Bones,” “Here We Go”, “Stella”, “100”, as well as the Alley Mattress EP which contains six additional new songs. To promote the release of the EP, the band went to Duluth to play at Blush MN. Blush MN is a community-based art gallery and intimate music venue where independent artists can play. Other artists that were also featured that night at Blush MN were Safe for Now, Robyn Graves, PB&J, and Robot Rickshaw.
During Alley Mattress’ set, they played “Dino Love”, “Drink and Smoke”, and “You Don’t Have to Pay”. “Dino Love” expresses the primal and rocky relationships where people go “back and forth”. “Drink and Smoke” is perfect for vice indulgence during this anxiety-riddled time. “You Don’t Have To Pay” discusses relationships formed at music gigs where all are welcomed, and you don’t have to pay for the connections. Alley Mattress is the sort of band that yearns to make relationships with other bands but also highlights important causes to raise donations.
The mission of the evening was to draw attention to the development of oil sands pipeline 3 by Canadian corporation, Enbridge. The oil pipeline was developed in 1967 but recently gained attention due to protests opposing the new line. Issues with the pipeline include a history of oil spills near the headwaters of the Mississippi River, violation of Ojibwe Treaty Rights, fueling sex trafficking, and assaults on indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit peoples. The gig raised $500 which was used for supplies for the protestors.
Alley Mattress are bringing attention to issues like #stopline3 because they matter and music matters. Alley Mattress has plans to do more shows with bands from the area like TIMISAROCKER, Briefcase, and Northern Hammer. The band will continue to rock your socks off while trying to better our communities with art and activism. Hopefully after reading this article, the reader can visit Alley Mattress links like Bandcamp, Spotify, etc. but also take the time to support the Stop Line 3 Legal Defense Fund and understand that water is life. #stopline3.
Listen to Alley Mattress on Bandcamp
