Chicago Farmer “Mattress”
Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Chicago Farmer’s song “Mattress” from their forthcoming album Homeaid, which is set for release on March 6 via LoHi Records. Homeaid was produced by Chad Staehly; recorded, engineered and mixed by Nick Tveitbakk at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota; and mastered by Bruce Templeton at Microphonic Mastering. Album artwork, design and layout was done by Half Hazzard Press.
Musicians on “Mattress” are Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes: Chicago Farmer on vocals, guitar and harmonica; Charlie Harris on vocals and bass, Cody Jensen on vocals & keys, Frank Kurtz on vocals and drums; Jaik Willis on vocals and guitars; and special guest Carrie Chandler on vocals.
We had a brief chat with Cody Diekhoff (aka Chicago Farmer). The premiere appears just beneath the interview.
Americana Highways: What was the inspiration for this song about a mattress?
Chicago Farmer: Have you ever asked yourself “What am I even doing here? Why do I exist? What’s my purpose?” If you’re reading this right now let me ask you this, have you ever seen a mattress by the side of the road? And to your knowledge has anyone ever written a song about it? That’s why I exist, that’s why I’m here, this is my purpose. To write songs about such things!
I believe it was in 2019 when I really started seeing mattresses. In the morning I would take my coffee and guitar out onto the front porch. The neighboring house was rental and every six months or so the occupants would get kicked out. Often though, instead of taking their belongings with them they would just leave it all on the front lawn. So everyday I would just stare at their mattresses. Then I started noticing mattresses around town too in other people’s yards, on the side of the road, under the viaducts and on top of minivans wherever I went. As a songwriter of 20=plus years you have to be aware of these things, but also as a songwriter of 20-plus years I wasn’ t really sure I wanted a song about a mattress in my repertoire. It was in 2020 though when the band was rehearsing for our last album release that we noticed one of our band members was very late, which wasn’t uncommon. It was uncommon though that even he was this late. When he finally arrived I asked what happened and he said I-57 was backed up for miles because there were all of these mattresses in the road. Shortly after, I added the “Mattress” song to the repertoire.
Musically, this isn’t a brand new mattress. It’s worn in and funky. By far the funkiest song ever recorded in the Chicago Farmer catalog, which is just what it called for. It’s become the most requested song at the moment and I don’t think hearing the crowd singing the chorus at the top of their lungs will tire anytime soon. On a serious note though, the song is really about the struggles of someone taking the road less traveled. It might have fewer travelers but the debris it can leave behind is insurmountable. I’m at the age where fewer people are still holding on to their dreams while witnessing that most others have let go. There really isn’t a back up plan for us, so we keep traveling and telling the less traveled road tales.
This song will keep your head bobbing and your boogie woogeying. The jam portion is irresistible and the song is unique and funky good.
You can find the music here: https://orcd.co/cfmattress
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Chicago Farmer Collaborates with The Band of Heathens on the Heartfelt “Flyover Country”
