Last updated: 3 hours ago
<a href="spotify:artist:4JLWTnEX6Ol8Pf2TsjxMVw" data-name="Brightener">Brightener</a> is the moniker of Palm Springs-based producer/songwriter Will Sturgeon. After <a href="spotify:artist:1RLmWUVl71EvUnqbIJXNca" data-name="The Miracals">The Miracals</a> disbanded in 2012, Sturgeon recorded brightener's first official release "<a href="spotify:album:2GNt9c8mISd1BZTdU9QfBH" data-name="Make Real Friends - EP">Make Real Friends - EP</a>," from his bedroom in 2013. MRF was received warmly by the internet and college radio, landing on the front page of Bandcamp who described the release as "totally effervescent, a lil' bit noisy, lovingly crafted bedroom pop."
After touring the country with <a href="spotify:artist:5KxxHTQit8vvtn3JFyw3MH" data-name="Julia Nunes">Julia Nunes</a>, Sturgeon took time to record a library of songs he had written throughout the past decade, and released his first full-length "Hummingbird" at the end of 2015. "Hummingbird" is a cleaner, folkier, and more thoughtful record than other brightener releases.
Sturgeon soon formed a live band for brightener (among the new members - his sister Abigail), and found rapid local success. brightener was asked to play the Coachella Music and Arts Festival on the Outdoor Theatre in 2016 — a major highlight of his career.
In 2017, brightener released their sophomore album "<a href="spotify:album:0ZE7SJg0E94Q6Sy7WJmtGK" data-name="Headroom">Headroom</a>" written, recorded, and produced in his bedroom by Sturgeon and mixed by <a href="spotify:artist:0aXs632YcXEwcT2kVNtFal" data-name="Sam Skinner">Sam Skinner</a> from <a href="spotify:artist:2gbT6GPXMis0OAkZbEQCYB" data-name="Pinegrove">Pinegrove</a>.
After releasing Headroom, Sturgeon took a break from brightener to play in <a href="spotify:artist:11oB0x4yNhEXwrLlkJw2T1" data-name="Tambourines">Tambourines</a>, while building up credentials as a producer. He was named Best Producer in 2018-2019 by CV Weekly for his work with The Sturdio. In 2020, Sturgeon plans to release the next brightener EP, "Stay Open", produced fully by Sturgeon.
After touring the country with <a href="spotify:artist:5KxxHTQit8vvtn3JFyw3MH" data-name="Julia Nunes">Julia Nunes</a>, Sturgeon took time to record a library of songs he had written throughout the past decade, and released his first full-length "Hummingbird" at the end of 2015. "Hummingbird" is a cleaner, folkier, and more thoughtful record than other brightener releases.
Sturgeon soon formed a live band for brightener (among the new members - his sister Abigail), and found rapid local success. brightener was asked to play the Coachella Music and Arts Festival on the Outdoor Theatre in 2016 — a major highlight of his career.
In 2017, brightener released their sophomore album "<a href="spotify:album:0ZE7SJg0E94Q6Sy7WJmtGK" data-name="Headroom">Headroom</a>" written, recorded, and produced in his bedroom by Sturgeon and mixed by <a href="spotify:artist:0aXs632YcXEwcT2kVNtFal" data-name="Sam Skinner">Sam Skinner</a> from <a href="spotify:artist:2gbT6GPXMis0OAkZbEQCYB" data-name="Pinegrove">Pinegrove</a>.
After releasing Headroom, Sturgeon took a break from brightener to play in <a href="spotify:artist:11oB0x4yNhEXwrLlkJw2T1" data-name="Tambourines">Tambourines</a>, while building up credentials as a producer. He was named Best Producer in 2018-2019 by CV Weekly for his work with The Sturdio. In 2020, Sturgeon plans to release the next brightener EP, "Stay Open", produced fully by Sturgeon.
Related Artists
The Anatomy of Frank
Joey Ryan & The Inks
Ghost Hotel
Modern Rivals
Enlou
Family Cave
Hey Anna
Leikko
Lakefield
Bonesetters
The Desert Line
Early Americans
Cellar Door
Coho
Bellamaine
