“I guess I’m a disruptor,” says Storry. Her debut album ‘Chapter 3: The Come Up’ uses R&B, indie, reggae and soul to tell the story of leaving sex work to enter the music industry, and the parallels between them.
The upcoming ‘Chapter 2: Run’ recounts her healing journey that starts with the decision to leave her boyfriend after coming to the realisation that she was the victim of sex trafficking. “It’s not how they show it on TV, but often people are trafficked by a loved one,” she explains. “From there, the album is about exploring the world, my own sexuality and coming into my power. It ends with a love song to music, which has really been my therapy.”
Growing up, Storry wanted to be a doctor (her Christmas present as an 8-year-old were medical books, which she loved) before dreaming of studying psychology or theology. “I guess I was a bit of a nerd,” she grins. “More than anything, I wanted to heal people and my voice felt like a gift to do that. Especially after everything that happened to me, I felt like I had a story that if I shared it, I could really help people.”
She wants her music to create space for uncomfortable conversations and also show people that “even though life isn’t perfect, it can be beautiful.” New single ‘Call Cain’ is about staying sober while working at a strip club. “I understand why you might need to dissociate doing that; I felt and remember everything.” After a lot of healing, “I’ve just ended up with my compassion for people.”
“When I was younger, my biggest fear was not being able to meet all the amazing people in the world. I was in love with life, but I definitely lost that for a while,” she explains. “Now, I feel like my heart is opening up again. I’m ready to fall in love with life all over again. I guess experiencing all that darkness has taught me to be the brightest light I can be.” She wants to share some of that hope around.
“Artists have such an important platform. Music and art really are the heartbeat of our society, and if we’re not saying anything, what’s the fucking point? I just want to make things that push culture forward.”
However, it’s tough to have those conversations when social media platforms such as Instagram punish users for any mention of sex work, while Spotify has created a generation of passive listeners.
“I know I use social media for a distraction. I’m not on there to see if I can strip back my emotions and become more vulnerable, but that’s what my music is about. I believe artists need to be creating movements, not songs for mood playlists.” It’s why playing live is so important.
“I want to be Tina Turner, basically”
Today, Storry returns to the Canada House stage at The Great Escape after performing here two years ago. The three-day showcase, funded by the Canadian government and organised by the Canadian Independent Music Association, is a celebration of the depth and breadth of the country’s music scene. “Our government are so good with grants; it really gives artists the opportunity to express themselves,” says Storry. Playing live at showcases like this, as well as her own headline gigs, “is what keeps me going,” she adds. “I struggle to penetrate the digital world, and it can be hard when you don’t have those viral moments, but playing live is such an important way to remind yourself you’re still worthy, and your art means something.”
“I just love seeing how my energy impacts other people. Being as vulnerable as possible gives space for them to be vulnerable as well. It’s what’s so magical about live music.”
Storry also appeared as a finalist on the recent series of ITV’s The Voice. “It solidified in me how much I’ve honed my craft. There were a lot of nerves before that first performance, but as soon as I got on stage, it really felt like I was meant to be there.”
As well as covering ‘Forever Young’ and ‘Cry Me A River’, Storry wowed viewers with her own songs ‘Run’ and ‘You Don’t Know Me’. “It’s made me want to make music that isn’t always so difficult to take in,” she explains. “Sometimes I want to enjoy my own voice, dance and be a little more free in my performance. I’m bringing some of that into what I’m doing now, but I’m excited to see where else it will go.”
New album ‘Run’ should be released later this year and features moments of opera, strings, hip-hop, rap, dance and rock. “The first half is theatrical storytelling, the second half is more traditional pop and R&B. There’s also a comedy break in the middle. It’s a journey.” From there, Storry doesn’t know where things will go. “I want to be Tina Turner, basically. I want to play stadiums and I want to be doing this until I’m 80. Honestly though, I’m just enjoying this moment,” she says. “And I hope I can show people that no matter how dark life can seem, there’s always a light.”
Storry’s album ‘Run’ is coming soon.
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