Trying to record a release-worthy EP with a podcasting USB microphone on a laptop that didn't support the mic's software MAY have been a lofty goal. And had the 30+ year-old snare drum sounded more "vintage" and less... "defective," live drum tracking MAY have been a possibility. However, these factors DID make for a fairly economical approach to my first EP (geo geo), and though I wish I could have snuck into Capitol Studios for a few days, my ushering job could only pay for so much studio time (read: NO studio time).

To avoid human interaction and the outflow of money, I did everything myself: the writing, the arrangements, the instrumentation, the vocals, the producing, and the album design. It was recorded over a period of 4 months, in between my dorm room in Los Angeles and my house in Palm Desert. This record is the archetype of the DIY, Garageband indie movement, though I would hope it moves away from The Ramones and more towards Bon Iver. At the risk of sounding like a Pitchfork review, I would categorize this record as "laptop folk." This record is fully, completely Will Sturgeon.

I started on the internet 3 years ago and it is by far my primary source of communication and exposure. As my YouTube and Myspace fanbases grew, so did my confidence, and I started to push my songwriting limits. Though I still don't play solo shows, people noticed me first because of my performances. In three years, my YouTube videos have received over 2.5 million views. However, I quickly found these live acoustic videos unfulfilling, as my musical palette began to change. I began to focus less on just writing catchy pop songs and more on creating environments and textures in my music. That is what I tried to do with geo geo, and I did the best that I could. I hope you give it a chance.

Will Sturgeon is a 19 year-old student at the University of Southern California, one of thirteen songwriters in the first class of the new Popular Music Program. At the moment, his songwriting and performing efforts are going towards a new band, The Smiles. geo geo - EP is his first official release.