Welcome Strawberry is a band from Oakland, CA, led by Cyrus VandenBerghe, one of the most unassuming guitar gods of the Bay Area. He plays in four active bands at the moment, but Welcome Strawberry is his. Welcome Strawberry draws influences from campy 90s movies, retro video games, hot contemporary literature, and, of course, alternative sounds, new and old.
VandenBerghe’s solo work allows for even his loftiest visions to become a reality. Such is the case on their latest single, the shoegaze-tinged chaos of “The Silent One.” The new single features searing guitar work that explodes into complex rhythm sections, as VandenBerghe’s ghostly vocals cut through the noise to create face-melting textures. The way the vocals camouflage into the hectic arrangement yet peek through just enough to add catchy melodies to this dense wall of fuzz is a masterclass of subtlety. “The Silent One” is a hypnotic sonic journey that separates Vandenberghe from his peers by exploring the nuances of shoegaze and emerging with a refreshing take on the burgeoning genre.
“There’s enough pretty music in the world.” explains VandenBerghe when asked about “The Silent One.”
