BEYOND THE NOTES
Photos by Tara Radmard
Photos by Tara Radmard
February 3, 2026 | Hailey Benzvi
Lily Sturges is a Los Angeles-based artist whose music blends pop structure with experimental textures. Raised in Culver City, she grew up in a creative household shaped by art. Her father attended art school, and she went to a Waldorf school, where creativity was encouraged from a young age. Although neither of her parents were musicians, Sturges has been singing since she could talk, first gravitating toward musical theatre before finding her own voice as a songwriter.
In high school, a musical production class gave Sturges insight into how music is made beyond performance, and during her freshman year she picked up guitar and started a band. This early experience helped shape her hands-on approach to creating and performing, but music didn’t initially feel like a realistic career path to Sturges. It wasn’t until she attended UCLA that pursuing music professionally became something she seriously considered.
Sturges’ sound is influenced by a wide range of artists, from pop icons such as Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kesha, and Pitbull to house music and alternative pop. While classic pop informs her sense of structure, more experimental genres like shoegaze influence her use of texture and atmosphere.
“The classic pop definitely influences more of the structure of my songs,” Sturges said. ”I like the idea of taking more from experimental music and combining it with a pop structure – it makes it more mainstream and easier and more fun for people to listen to.”
Her first single sampled shoegaze, signaling an early interest in blending polished pop with less conventional sounds.
That same sense of experimentation extends beyond her sound and into her songwriting process. She typically writes alone and at night, often in silence. Some ideas come during quiet moments, like while falling asleep, sitting in the bathtub, or even in the middle of a concert. While she mostly writes solo, Sturges hopes to collaborate more in the future. Lyrically, her work is grounded in real experiences. Every song is based on actual people and events rather than imagined scenarios, giving her music a direct and personal quality.
Sturges recently began working with Cherry Pop. The collaboration felt serendipitous because her high school band was called Cherry Pool, so she was extra excited to explore the opportunity. She's especially looking forward to the support the label can offer, from promotion to live shows.
“I wanna keep playing shows. As many shows as I can possibly play, I love performing,” Sturges said.
Looking ahead, Sturges’ new single “Want You Back” is set for a February 4 release that reflects a shift in her sound. Compared to her earlier, softer releases, her upcoming music leans more heavily into synths, house influences, and a stronger sense of energy, incorporating elements of rock and R&B. She’s focused on playing more shows, releasing merch, staying consistent on social media, and pushing herself creatively by writing new music regularly.
Sturges says that her sound can be described as mystical, fun, and compelling. Her long-term goals range from playing major festivals including Coachella to seeing one of her songs reach a million streams. As she continues to evolve, her work remains rooted in honesty, experimentation, and a clear commitment to growth.