Today we’d like to introduce you to Will A. Lerner.
Will, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The Strawberry Moons are a psychedelic pop band featuring myself, Will A Lerner on vocals, keyboard, guitar, and Aimee Jacobs (vocals, keyboard), Jason Areford (bass), Dustin Schemensky (drums), and newest member Hector Duenas (guitar, vocals). It all started with a conversation between me and Aimee; I wanted to form a band that showcased male/female vocals and strong melodies and harmonies, with influences including ’60s baroque/vocal pop, the folk-rock of the 70s, as well as more aggressive and modern post-punk. I knew of Aimee’s prowess as a vocalist from her previous band, and also that she’s a skilled keyboardist. Her love of modern psychedelic and synth-rock seamlessly combined with what l was already hearing in my head, so writing together was, from the start, a very natural and organic thing. We spent considerable time bringing together the right musicians, starting with my former bandmate John Falk on lead guitar and backing vocals. Jason joined up soon after and wisely suggested we add his long-time friend and bandmate Dustin to complete the line-up. This was in the spring of 2016. After John’s departure at the start of this year, Hector was brought into the line-up.
The Strawberry Moons have become one of the most active bands on the San Diego music scene, gigging regularly at traditional and non-traditional venues, as well as many local and desert festivals. We also toured twice in 2018, playing in cities in Arizona and California. We were nominated for a 2019 San Diego Music Award, Best Rock Band category. We’ve been featured on the county’s most popular local radio programs (91X Loudspeaker and The Local 94/9), have been the subject of feature articles in SD CityBeat and the San Diego Reader, and have been spotlighted on local television programs SoundDiego (NBC) and Unherd (ABC).
Most exciting of all, we have recently mastered our first full-length album, and released the debut single, “Nicole’s Song,” on June 24th. A video was also released with the single, one we feel mirrors the tone and theme of the song. We’ve had some wonderful feedback and reviews already. The second single, “Cigarette Hills,” is planned for a late August release, and the whole album will be released on September 24th. There will be a show to celebrate this at the Belly Up in Solana Beach.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being in a band, especially one that operates at the DIY level, brings with it a host of frustrations, disappointments and setbacks… although it still gives you the greatest highs you’ll ever know! For us, the most difficult period was when we had to part ways with our original guitarist, John Falk. He had been with Aimee and I the longest, and it’s him you hear on the record, not Hector. He wrote most of his own parts, and some of his melodic leads and counter-melodies elevate the songs in ways we would never have anticipated. The way we arrange our songs is such an organic process. Each member contributes something on a creative level no matter who’s the chief writer. Not only that, but John is one of my best friends, so letting him go was a very emotional process for both of us. We still play music together in other bands, so he’s still an important part of my life, both personally and musically. And fortunately for the Moons, Hector has proven to be an awesome addition to the line-up. He respectfully learned John’s guitar parts note for note, and his own contributions on the songs we’re currently writing have been amazing.
What else should we know about The Strawberry Moons?
Although I hate to limit us by genres or pat descriptions, I would call us a psychedelic indie-pop band, or a folk-rock band that combines art rock and psychedelia into its sound. There are a ton of excellent bands on the San Diego scene, but we’re definitely unique in our vocal harmonies, and how the female and male voices are intertwined. Plus, Aimee’s operatic training sets her apart from most other singers. We also have two strong lyricists in the band in myself and Aimee; we try to tell our personal stories in ways that invite the listener in… basically, finding a way to make the personal universal. We take our time to craft our songs, the right melodic and chord progressions, the proper arrangement and vibe. Each song should tell its own tale and create a universe.
Contact Info:
- Email: thestrawberrymoons@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrawberrymoons/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrawberrymoons/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/strawbmoonies
Image Credit:
Taylor Lewis, Andrew Rowley, Anastasya Korol, Jay Reilly, Adam Johnson, John Hancock, Paul Ryu
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