Strawberry Guy
with Johanna Samuels
Presented by Get to the Gig Boston / MassConcerts
When Alex Stephens (A.K.A. Strawberry Guy) self-released his debut single in 2018, he was merely doing it out of a love for songwriting. What he wasn’t expecting was millions of streams and an avid worldwide fanbase.
A one-man impressionist, painting majestic soundscapes, Strawberry Guy blends truthful lyrics with lush arrangements to conjure new emotive worlds. Inspired by composers of the Romantic period, or Debussy, Ravel, and other classical artists of the 1800s, his wonderland moves like a Monet painting where arpeggios dance between meadows of dazzling dynamics and dramatic key changes.
Imitating nature’s effect on emotion, like 70s songwriters, or the fantastical soundtracks accompanying vibrant scenes in the Japanese animated Studio Ghibli films and video games, landscape is brought to the fore. Monet’s picturesque Meadow at Giverny features as the album’s accompanying artwork – perhaps a reminder of the rural Welsh countryside views through his childhood home’s window.
Take it slow, be at one with the wilderness and remember, when life gives you lemons, swap them for Strawberries.
Johanna Samuels is broadening the confines of pop music. The New York and Los Angeles based singer-songwriter’s work is lyrically and melodically driven, singing about the depths and dualities of life with her unique bell-like voice. Her deep understanding and reverence for the musical greats of the 1960’s and 70’s, Samuels has created a sound and musical place that is all her own – and invites you in. Her debut album “Excelsior!” (2021) produced by Sam Evian and released by Mamabird Recording Co., garnered praise for its lush beauty and complex explorations. NPR described Johanna’s music as “…so compulsively listenable, and so smart in the way she assesses space and communication, it’s just brilliant…what a voice.”
Johanna’s 2022 release, EP “Scam Likely” produced by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman, The National, Bob Weir and Hiss Golden Messenger…) with collaborations with Fruit Bats is just a taste of what’s to come. Her sophomore LP “Bystander”, also produced by Kaufman, was released in June of 2023. She’s currently recording a new LP with Jonathan Rado (Weyes Blood, Foxygen, The Killers) and has a 4 track EP expected June of 2024 produced by Jordan Lehning.
Samuels has shared stages with artists such as Faye Webster, Madison Cunningham, The Hold Steady, Watchhouse, Bonny Light Horseman, Lomelda, Courtney Marie Andrews, Tallest Man on Earth, Fruit Bats, Anaïs Mitchell, Cassandra Jenkins, Haley Heynderickx, Buck Meek, Sam Evian, Sean & Sara Watkins… and more.