Serendipity has its privileges.

A year ago, George Stanford couldn't get the attention of his bandmates in Townhall, a regionally successful Philadelphia-based rock group, unable to get his new material heard in a democratic setting.

Stanford struck out on his own, and with talent and good timing, he quickly inked a major label record deal with Smash/Mercury. Now Stanford is touring the country in advance of his solo debut, opening for the likes of the John Butler Trio, Jon McLaughlin, and Will Dailey.

Stanford's sound mixes blue-eyed soul and pop with a knack for creative arrangements, an attribute he says comes from the fact that he started in music as a trombonist.

With an EP dubbed The EP in stores and a debut album coming in 2008, Stanford sat down with MP3.com at the Hotel Utah in San Francisco to chat and to play a few songs.

Listen to a full stream and download a free song from George Stanford's The EP right here.

Interview with George Stanford:

George Stanford - "My Own Worst Enemy":

George Stanford - "Nikole":

George Stanford - "Big Drop":