Artist description "A peer who I admired for his passion and conviction told me the key to life is to put your balls into it. This encountering of advice was the turning point in my performance and writing style." - Aubrey Stork The seed was planted at the young age of 12 for Toronto singer/ songwriter/ storyteller Aubrey Stork. Now 20, Stork's background is quite interesting. As a self-taught musician Aubrey's musical career began as part of the duo Ben & Aubrey. The group generated a following of impressive stature. After years of collaboration, Aubrey experienced matters closer to his own heart and left the group to pursue his own vision. As a man of many hats and no stranger to business, Aubrey recently graduated from the Recording Arts Management program at The Harris Institute for the Arts. He is now running his own indie label, PURPLE FLAG and is focusing full throttle on his own music. He's finally launched his solo career with the debut album "Metaphor Of Life". "Metaphor Of Life" is a snapshot of Aubrey's life. It tells a story of what was and what is, a story of love and loss. To say the least, this album exemplifies raw, honest emotion. There is a humble familiarity that flows through each song. Stork's sonic diary of thoughts is complimented with an enhanced component allowing listeners to connect with the roots that inspired the music. In its entirety, "Metaphor Of Life" is an uplifting story that is guaranteed to invoke a new rhythmic beat in all of our hearts. Every live show embraces a symbiosis. The somewhat sullen feel of the alt/folk/roots music is delivered beautifully by a fun, poetic and energetic Aubrey as he enjoys interacting with the crowd. He tells stories between songs, include comedic anecdotes and will spontaneously invite an audience member up onto the stage to sing or dance with him. "The element of improvisation is key. The audience comes not knowing what to expect and I too come with some degree of not knowing; this is what makes for a different show every time and keeps people coming back", says Aubrey. Translating life into music and from music to emotion, moving worlds in his listeners, Aubrey writes, "Don't look back in hope, look forward with courage…and hold my hand" - Frozen Smiles (A.Stork)

Music Style Folk/Rock/Pop

Musical Influences CSNY, Phish, The Beatles

Group Members Aubrey Stork

Instruments Guitar, Harmonica, Bongo

Albums Metaphor Of Life

Press Reviews DIARY FUELS THORNHILL SINGER'S NEW LABEL BY GEOFF ROBERTS Dec. 11, 2001 ---------------------------------------------------- Thornhill singer Aubrey Stork has taken a diary chronicling his innermost thoughts about a painful breakup and spun it into his own record label and interactive recording. Metaphor of Life, the tentative title of Stork's recording, lays his soul bare in a series of diary entries set to music. A graduate of the Harris Institute for the Arts in the recording arts management program, 19-year-old Stork has been performing in the Greater Toronto Area since he was 12, when he was inspired by a friend of his mother. "I picked up his guitar and progressed naturally, later taking lessons," Stork said. The interactive component of the CD will contain notes for listeners telling the story behind the songs. "In its entirety, it is an uplifting story that is guaranteed to provoke a new palpitation of your beating heart." Having recently graduated, Stork has decided to apply the skills he has learned into promoting other artists. He has created his own independent label, Purple Flag and has sold shares in his music and the label. "Basically, in the past I put out an album (the acoustic Ben and Aubrey album) and learned the ups and downs inside out," Stork said. "I needed a budget and money to get things done. I figured the easiest way was to get together a small bunch of people with a sweet enough deal for them to invest in me." A highlight of Stork's upcoming CD is a song entitled Beyond The End, a spiritually and emotionally charged song examining life and love from a different perspective. "It explores the emotions that contribute to the feelings of never wanting to leave one's side and always having that 'greater connection' that is talked about so much but much more rarely experienced and when your everything has nothing to do with you. "Like flowers in the spring you bring me.. to life' The lyrics speak of a kindred love that could be only designed by a greater power and found by a lucky few," Stork said. "I suppose I'd have to say that I believe in a greater spirit making things happen. I suppose a greater purpose would have an influence," Stork said. He plans to have his new recording in Greater Toronto Area record stores for early next year. He will be appearing at Vox Restaurant and Bar (474 Adelaide St. East) in Toronto Friday. For more information, visit www.acousticaubrey.com SONGWRITING IS THERAPEUTIC FOR 19-YEAR-OLD BY: JOSEPH SERGE Arts Editor -CJN ----------------------------------------------------- Toronto - What do you do if you're a budding singer/songwriter and just broke up with someone you considered your soul-mate? Make a CD based on your experience, of course. That's exactly what Aubrey Stork, 19, did after breaking up with his girlfriend of 4 years. "It definitely was very therapeutic for me," Stork says. "I'd gone through some hard times and wanted to create something that everybody can relate to. Anybody from young teens to 100-year-olds can relate to it." His CD, Metaphor Of Life, contains 12 songs written last summer just two months after his breakup. The lyrics read like pages from a diary and go through the ups and downs of his emotional rollercoaster. "The songs are based around a long-term relationship that I had and the politics that are involved," he says, "It's about how it affected me emotionally." Despite his youth, Stork's lyrics aren't your typical "boy meets girl, boy loses girl" bubblegum pop. They indicate a mature introspection, and are more a collection of emotional thoughts and responses than a simple chronology. "We're still friends," he says about his ex. "Naturally, I spoke to her before releasing it. She felt a little awkward but was OK with it. She understood where I'm coming from." He says he's been listening to a lot of The Doors, Bob Dylan, CSNY and similar '70s acts recently and it shows. The songs on Metaphor Of Life are stripped down blues-folk acoustic guitar and vocals with a bit of harmonica. Many have strong melodies and vocal harmonies. At times I'm reminded of The Beatles' Across The Universe. The CD also contains a segment that, when played in a PC, allows you to read the stories behind the songs. Stork, who recently graduated from Toronto's Harris Institute For The Arts' recording management program, started playing guitar when he was 12 and realized quickly that, for him, "there's no other plan than being on stage." With his youth and drive, he says he hopes to become a full-time musician and artist manager. To this end, Stork created his own label, Purple Flag, and released Metaphor Of Life. If all goes well, he'd like to start releasing other bands' music on his label as well. "My ultimate goal is to make a living in what I love to do--playing and writing songs," he said. "I don't need to be a rock star, just make a living at it." Stork plays in and around the city a few times a month. His next gig is April 26 at the Vox Restaurant & Bar, 474 Adelaide St. East at 11 p.m. You can find Metaphor Of Life in many CD stores around Toronto or by visiting Stork's Web Site at www.acousticaubrey.com

Location Toronto, Ontario - Canada

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