Author : Sharon Kay
I love how music brings people together. I love it even more how music can help families connect. Parents and kids dancing around and being silly together is tops on my “Favorite Things in Life” list—right under chocolate, because let’s face it, few things are better than chocolate.
I have a special affinity for kids’ music that is also really fun for adults as well—there’s only so much Polly Wolly Doodle a mom can take, right? I love it when bands appeal to the entire family! It’s not unusual for me to put on one of the kids’ CD and have a dance party with them in the house. Sometimes, we cook together as a family, WHILE dancing. Those times are super-fun, albeit messy. I only attempt those particular bonding moments if my kitchen is already past due for a good scrubbing.
There’s a band that I’ve found that could have the kids and me sock-hopping in the house for days—The Fuzzy Lemons! The Fuzzy Lemons’ “kindie rock” is catchy, fun, and downright good time music. If you have kids, do yourself a favor and plan a weeknight dance party with their CD!
I had the good fortune to interview band member Dana Harrison whose great vocals are heard on much of the CD, and she gave me the low-down on the Lemons.
ME: How did the Fuzzy Lemons start?
DANA: A long time ago in a neighborhood far, far away… A diverse handful of musicians were performing their own family-friendly music and teaching various children’s classes in Hoboken, NJ. An organization called Hoboken Family Alliance put out the call to performers for their annual Cabin Fever Festival, and a few of these intrepid musicians responded eagerly. Dana Harrison, Dave Lambert, and Kipley Wentz were already acquaintances at that time and had been making some noise about collaborating on a few projects. Realizing that we had each been asked to perform at the same event, we gathered at a local coffee shop called the Frozen Monkey (really!) and started plotting. “What if,” we asked ourselves, “we teamed up rather than competing for time slots?” We thought it would be a fun “surprise” for the community–sort of a family-oriented “supergroup.”
At our first rehearsal, we knew that there was some serious musical chemistry going on. A few weeks later, we’d added bass player Justin Michael and keyboardist Maiken DuBois; we did our first performance as a band on February 10, 2008 to a (we’re bragging a bit here) shocked and awed crowd of families. It was awesome! There were toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents all jammed into the venue. Because we play such varied music, there was something for everyone. The Fuzzy Lemons were born that day.
Not long after, we added our first drummer, Kimberly Dennis, and started booking shows and writing new songs. The Lemon train has been a-rollin’ ever since! We’ve been honored to perform all over the area, in NYC, PA, CT and out on Long Island, and have been thrilled to hear our songs on radio stations and the internet and even on cable!
ME: How many recordings have you all made?
DANA: We made a 5-song self-titled EP back in 2009 as a “demo” to sort of test the waters, but we now have a full-length studio album out, titled TO THE MOON, that includes 15 songs and a full-color comic book. We released two Halloween tracks online in the fall of 2012, and we are hard at work on our next full-length album.
ME: What is your favorite part of what y’all do?
DANA: Our favorite part of what we do is fostering a love of music in children, and providing an opportunity for families to spend time together participating in an activity that they can all enjoy together. Children’s music has come a long way from the days when it was cute for kids but intolerable for adults. We like to say that “our lyrics are for little ears but our music is for everyone.” When moms and dads can rock out together with their kids, enjoy our music at home or in the car or in concert, that’s the best feeling in the world.
I happen to agree completely with her. Music can unite everyone in a special way that few things have the power to do. Lucky for you that you are at site where we specialize in the two things that bring loved ones together and spark conversations that help us all get closer—music and food! I asked Dana about the Lemons’ favorite foods and what they ate while they were on the road. “We love everything from pizza to sushi to steak to cuban sandwiches. Hoboken has some of the best eateries in the world and we love them all. I need a little spice in my life. My favorite dishes are of the Thai or Indian variety. On the road before a show though, I eat sushi if I can find it because it’s filling but doesn’t make me fill bogged down like meat does. It’s hard for me to Jump, Wiggle, & Shake after a steak.” Some other Fuzzy Lemons members weigh in on their particular culinary favorites. Dave admits to giving into an American favorite, “Even though I shouldn’t, I can’t resist bacon cheeseburgers on the road.” Who can, Dave? I mean bacon? Cheese? Hamburger? I’ll take a couple right this minute!
Vanessa seems to go for healthier options while traveling. She typically orders a salad or club sandwich. It seems their palettes are as colorful and varied as the members themselves are!
When speaking of The Fuzzy Lemons’ band members, Dana said, “to use a food metaphor: It’s nice to taste a single ingredient, but fantastic flavor comes from combining great ingredients together. That sort of brings us back to our name — The Fuzzy Lemons — our mixture of instrumentation, voices, and musical styles… we call ourselves lemons because it’s a funny little fruit with endless possibilities.” Dana Harrison, Dave Lambert, Vanessa Garaio, Chris Moran, Mario Padron are all happy members of this sunshiny band where all ages dance to their music—hand in hand—together.
The Fuzzy Lemons’ Mocktail
Ingredients:
2-3 lemons
several sprigs of fresh mint
Lime sherbert or lemon sorbet
Seltzer or Sprite
Ice
1. Squeeze the juice of 2-3 lemons though a stainer into a cup to remove the seeds. In blender, add the lemon juice, several sprigs of mint, 2 scoops of lime sherbert or lemon sorbet, about 2 cups of Seltzer or Sprite, and ice.
2. Blend for about 30 seconds or until all the ingredients, especially the springs of mint, are dissolved. If you desire a thinker drink, add more ice or sherbert as desired and continue blending.
3. Pour in to glasses and garnish with a slice of lemon rind and a sprig of mint. Enjoy!
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