Strawberry Moons came together to capture how it felt to be alone last year.

“We’ve got a new song and video out for ‘Love in the Time of Virus,’ and yes, it’s about the pandemic, at least in a 1984-ish, story-song way,” says Strawberry Moons singer-guitarist-keyboardist Will A. Lerner. “Kyle Areford from Dead Feather Moon produced it, and Rory Morison from Drug Hunt directed the video. A love song set in a dystopian version of the pandemic year, it encapsulates the feelings of isolation, frustration, love denied and time stalled that so many of us felt during the last year. Not to mention the grief and the loss.”

The dream/psych/pop/art rockers came together when former Burning of Rome vocalist/keyboardist Aimee Jacobs started working with Shake Before Us defector Lerner. A year and a half of collaborations later, they debuted Strawberry Moons with Mrs. Henry’s bassist and drummer Jason Areford (“also our backcountry guide and hiking guru”) and Dustin Schemensky (“influenced equally by Bonham, Buddy Rich, and The Fall’s Karl Burns”), currently backed by guitarist Hector Duenas (“our handsome shredder”). Lerner, who has worked as a talent buyer for venues such as Oceanside’s Pour House, also played with Schemensky in Geese, Hip Priest, and Funhouse.

The debut self-titled four-song Strawberry Moons EP was recorded by James Page at Emerald Age Recording in Vista. A 2019 single for “Nicole’s Song” preceded a self-titled full-length released later that year, recorded and produced by Ben Moore at local Singing Serpent Studios.

Over the past few months, the band did a livestream performance from the stage at Bar Pink, which they’ve tried to help with fundraising efforts aimed at saving the venue. “We absolutely loved it there and will miss it terribly,” says Lerner. “It was an awesome place to perform, to watch killer bands, and just hang out. Great vibe, strong drinks, and no BS.” They also recently went out to the Salton Sea for a full band photo shoot, as well as filming the video for “Love in the Time of Virus.”

Lerner notes that “it appears we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But even as our future gets a bit brighter, it’s hard to shake the lasting impression that 2020 had. Like many, the Strawberry Moons have been consumed by the same feelings of uncertainty, isolation, and loss which have defined this past year. ‘Love in the Time of Virus’ is an ode to the fear and loneliness we suffered through, never knowing when the pandemic would subside or who we might lose as it ran its course.”

“When the lockdown started, I, like many people, went on long walks every day. It was strange seeing normally busy streets quieter: less cars, businesses closed, people avoiding each other. It’s what needed to happen, but I kept thinking that it wouldn’t take much for things to spiral out of control. As the Trump presidency continued to spread lies and misinformation, and with the pandemic raging, it wasn’t a stretch to imagine the U.S. succumbing to either martial law or societal meltdown. So what does a lockdown look like when gangs of police control the streets, when all activity is banned? And what do lovers kept apart do under these circumstances? They may risk anything for love, but taking such risks only increases the chances for tragedy. ‘Love in the Time of Virus’ is a time capsule, a metaphorical record of what it felt like to live through this pandemic.”