Minnesota-based indie punk artist Zach Ewald was never one to shy away from ideologically charged music, and his latest EP, “Strike A Match” is no different. This compact, mission-first record features five (or eight if you get the CD version) brisk, no-frills songs that wear their conscience on their sleeve.
Over the recent years, Ewald has mixed punk, folk-punk and short-form releases, often explicitly tied to animal-welfare causes such as state donations and dedication to sanctuaries. Strike A Match is produced in the same vein, with the proceeds from album sales being donated to Cloven Heart Farm Sanctuary & Best Friends Farm.
The album opens with its title track, “The Restaurant Song,” a short and punchy single with communist undertones. Ewald’s voice drips with venom as he paints a picture of the plight of a restaurant worker while bringing themes of class consciousness to light.
“Annie A.L.F.” is a standout moment on the album as it diverts completely from the punk undertones of the other singles, opting for harmonica phrases that bring folk textures into the single. A.L.F. here probably refers to the Animal Liberation Front, with Annie A.L.F. being a fearless activist that fights for her cause despite multiple arrests.
https://concreteheadentertainment.bandcamp.com/album/strike-a-match
Ewald appears to have a penchant for character driven songs, with the other highlight of this album being the CD-exclusive single “Molotov Mary.” Just like Annie, this single tells the tale of a radical environmentalist, but takes it a step further with Mary “standing outside the butcher’s shop with a Molotov.”
Strike A Match certainly makes an impression due to its powerful moral and artistic stance. True to its lyrical tone, the production has that distinct indie/DIY sound to it and never feels overproduced. If anything, it feels raw, unpolished, and unfiltered in the best possible way.
Overall, Strike A Match is a focused, principled EP whose value goes beyond sonic novelty. It’s a small, sharp piece of community-driven punk activism. If you’re sympathetic to environmental, animal rights, and communist causes, or you enjoy stripped-back punk with a point, this release delivers.
https://bestfriends.farm/about/
https://www.clovenheartfarmsanctuary.org