Strawberry Moon On the Making Of “Speak My Mind”
What was the creative process like for this particular song?
“Speak my mind” started as a riff that our guitarist TJ Meade brought to the table. We were immediately hooked by the relentless presence in the guitars and Katie Bowles found the soaring vocal melody quickly and naturally. We soon performed it for the first time at a Halloween house show and were psyched at how enthusiastically the crowd responded. The lyrics revolve around fear of getting older and still not having found yourself, and the promise to prioritize vulnerability as an act of self compassion. As long as I maintain my personhood and stand by my voice, values, and people, I trust the rest will fall into place.
How did you approach the arrangement and composition of the music for "Speak My Mind?"
The arrangement started with TJ's guitar riff. The other guitarist Liam McElroy, and our bassist Grey Stephenson quickly found the pocket. We emphasized the powerhouse vocals, searing guitar solo, and driving guitars in the creation of “Speak My Mind.” Christian Noonan tied it all together seamlessly on the drums. It all came together when we recorded it at Spacebomb Studios in Richmond, VA with Ricky Olsen.
What impact do you hope "Speak My Mind" will have on your audience?
The first and foremost impact I hope our audience finds is getting swept up in the momentum this song carries - it feels like a marathon. Lyrically, I hope that the song inspires people to stay true to themselves and not stress about falling in line with traditional milestones in getting older. The world has changed and the same path - lifelong career, buying a house nuclear family - isn't as accessible for so many now. It's a reminder to life to the fullest, stand up for yourself and your community, and be kind to yourself along the way.
Can you tell us more about you as a band?
Strawberry Moon has been active in the Richmond music scene for 8 years now. It started as a solo bedroom pop project with a lil loop pedal and a dying laptop and is now a five piece dynamic punk rock band who supports big names that come through Virginia and tours often along the east coast. We've recently been voted #1 Rock Band in RVA Mag in January of 2025 by thousands of Richmond residents and are still riding the high of that validation. We are steadfast in our beliefs in antifascism, trans and queer celebration, and abortion access for all.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and connecting with your audience?
Performing is my favorite feeling in the world. I get completely swept up into the moment and lose myself, and as someone who struggles with anxiety, this sensation is unmatched. The best part is when you look out into the audience and see people dancing and head banging and moshing to your music. That sense of engagement, the community coming together as one in that moment, is energizing. We've recently been prioritizing raising money for local mutual aid fundraisers in our city and it's so special to see how many of our friends and neighbors show up and participate. We are grateful to get to express ourselves, give folks a safe space to let loose and be themselves, and hope to have a positive impact on our community at the same time.
