We had the pleasure of sitting down with Erro, the band led by Nikki, to dive into the creation of their debut full-length album, Strawberry Moon. Known for their seamless blend of retro 60s and 70s rock influences with a modern twist, the album captivates listeners with its rich soundscapes, authentic energy, and emotional depth. In this candid interview, Erro takes us behind the scenes, sharing the inspiration, challenges, and unforgettable moments that shaped Strawberry Moon. From their layered instrumentation to their commitment to raw, organic recording processes, the band offers an intimate look at how they crafted an album that feels both timeless and uniquely their own.
Join us as Erro reflects on their journey, the collaborative magic that fuels their sound, and what fans can look forward to in the next chapter of their story.
RM: Your debut full-length album, Strawberry Moon, blends retro warmth with a modern twist. How did you approach creating a sound that feels both familiar and fresh?
Most of the songs on this album are meticulously layered with organic and inorganic sounds. Using instruments like acoustic guitars, piano, and drums creates an earthiness a listener can hold on to, while an atmosphere of electric instruments like synthesizers, keyboards, and guitar effects weave in and out of the structure. We dove DEEP into finding the perfect tones for every part on each song and I think that’s why the organic and inorganic worked so well together. The hours of work really shows and the result is a pretty seamless blend between retro and modern.
RM: The album captures an instant sense of connection, like meeting a new friend you feel you’ve known forever. How do you translate that feeling into your music?
In a word? Honesty. First, the lyrics leave it all out there. While some of the imagery and metaphors paint a vivid picture of thoughtfulness, introspection, and emotion, the feeling in each song does not get too clouded. Meaning can sometimes get lost in poetic license, but this album aims to keep that meaning accessible from song to song and I think that creates an open lane of communication between the music and the listener. Second, the way it was recorded captured a LOT of human nature. There are some mistakes, some studio banter, randomly recorded sounds, etc. Every sound on this album was played by someone. We didn’t edit anything to make it perfect. We left the imperfections. We played through the entire song repeatedly instead of copying and pasting the successes. I think when the honesty of the lyrics is combined with the “take me as I am” style of playing, it shows that it’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to be imperfect. We have the opportunity to say that first to whoever listens to the music, and I think by us coming forward and saying that, an instant connection is made.
RM: If you could describe Strawberry Moon in three words, what would they be and why?
Eclectic. One listen through this album and you will hear sooooooo many different styles and flavors. There’s the raucous energy of “Wild Day”, the dancing beat of “La Mia Dea”, the adventuring spirit of “Golden”, the tempered ballad “That Way”—you get the point.
Resilient. This album is built to stand the test of time. There are big things and little things happening on every track which means even on its 10th, 20th, or 30th listen you have a high chance of hearing something you hadn’t before. The capacity to unveil something new with each listen, coupled with the overall fresh yet familiar sound gives us confidence that this album can be enjoyed for years to come. Welcoming. Something about how the album progresses from start to finish is comfortingly mysterious. It pulls you in and then you want to stay and keep listening. The final track “Shine” presents an extra level of vulnerability that kind of makes you want to take the journey again and start over from the beginning.
RM: Nikki, when you started Erro in 2019, your vision was to showcase your songwriting and guitar skills. How has that vision evolved over the past four years?
The initial vision is still alive but fluid. In my early years I would write with a genre, tone or just general idea in mind but through experience I’ve learned that songs really write themselves and our only job is to guide them. Trying to force fit tones or style to a song results in an end product that feels forced. With that in mind, I have become much more open to possibilities especially when it comes to tonal character.
RM: Erro has grown into a collaborative powerhouse. How do each band member’s contributions shape the band’s unique sound?
Tones are like snowflakes no two are alike so changing any variable in a song is going to change the sound even if its slight. Part of the allure that Strawberry Moon brings to the table is those variable changes, different drummers on different songs, different vocal combinations, multiple pianists in some capacity. The overall flavor is similar but each song is uniquely spiced.
RM: Your music features multiple vocalists, harmonies, and dynamic soundscapes. How do you balance these elements to create a cohesive sound?
For instrumentation, we try not to overdue it which helps to give the songs a bit of air. For vocals, it really just happens naturally for us which we realize is a rare thing.
RM: The band draws heavily from 60s and 70s rock influences. Are there any specific artists or albums from that era that inspired Strawberry Moon?
I don’t think you could pin us down to say one artist or album inspired what we created. We try to maintain our own thing without too much outside influence. However, we absolutely LOVE The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, CSNY, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Van Morrison, really all the majors from those eras. It is the shared love of these bands that strengthens our bond as artists and lays the foundation for a shared musical vision.
RM: Most of the tracks were recorded in a single take. Was this challenging, and how did it impact the final result?
Some tracks were most definitely more difficult to capture than others. It really comes down to the song in question. I think most songwriters would agree that when something feels “right” it just flows naturally. The challenge comes when we work outside of our typical comfort zone or genre. As far as impacting the final result, imperfections are audible in nearly every song on the album. You wouldn’t typically hear in a modern music production but that seemed to work in our favor giving the album resonant overtones of authenticity.
RM: What was the most memorable or unexpected moment during the creation of Strawberry Moon?
Everyone who contributed to the project probably would answer this question differently but most likely every answer would include a recording session. For us the recording process has become a time for exploration. Going into a session with an open mind for what is possible creates space for those magic moments and those types of memories have the power to transcend time.
RM: What do you hope people take away from experiencing your album?
The meaning of music varies widely from person to person. For us, the takeaway vibe is authenticity, and we hope the listeners are able to find a piece of themselves in the music and connect with it on a personal level.
RM: What’s next for Erro? Can we expect live performances, new collaborations, or other projects in the near future?
Last year was a huge in the writing department for us so we are already working on the next album. In the meantime, we have a few singles scheduled for release in the coming months featuring new artist collaborations.
Erro’s Strawberry Moon is more than just an album; it’s a heartfelt exploration of authenticity, collaboration, and connection. With its blend of organic and modern elements, the record invites listeners to experience a raw and unfiltered journey through sound. As the band looks to the future, with plans for new singles, collaborations, and an already budding next album, it’s clear that their creative momentum is unstoppable.
Erro’s ability to channel honesty and emotion into their music ensures that their work resonates deeply with audiences, offering not just songs, but a shared experience. As they continue to push boundaries and evolve, fans can look forward to even more compelling stories and soundscapes from this remarkable group. Keep an eye on Erro—they’re just getting started.
