Musician loves rocking in the 519

by Chris Mailloux

A local performer is working on turning his dreams into a reality.

Jarrett Sorko is a local musician and comedian. His music video “519” has over 10,000 views and received attention from a variety of news outlets. He isn’t just a musician though, Sorko also enjoys performing stand-up comedy.

Sorko decided to combine comedy and music for an extended play titled “Jarrett Sorko 4 Mayor” which was produced by Rob Maslanka of Dynamic North Audio based in Windsor. The next project he has in development is titled Clowns and Frowns. Sorko has been working on it for years and the idea is a mix tape based around himself and everything he enjoys.

“I’m going to be sampling music that I grew up with and there’s going to be meaning behind everything,” said Sorko.

The theme for Clowns and Frowns is to focus on the relationship between comedy and tragedy. It’s about how the two often inspire each other.

“The deeper I’ve gotten into comedy the more I’ve realized that a lot of comics are cynics, actually depressed,” said Sorko. “They view the world in more of a dark manner and when they get onto stage it’s kind of therapy for them.”

For his latest music videos Sorko has been collaborating with Mike LeClair, whose first real experience was shooting the footage for “519” with Sorko. LeClair said the concept for shooting 519 was to get shots that showcased Windsor. LeClair co-directed “519” and “I’m Dope” for Sorko. Since working with Sorko, LeClair has had offers to film other local musician’s music videos.

“Working with Jarrett Sorko has given me confidence, I feel that I needed to work with other artists,” said LeClair. “Because that was essentially the first time I used that camera.”

Sorko has been playing music for almost a decade now and said his dream venue would be Caesars Windsor. He’s played almost every possible venue in Windsor and said he hopes to someday perform at what he calls “his big hometown theatre.”

You can watch Sorko’s music videos on youtube, and download Jarrett Sorko 4 Mayor for free at his website www.jarrettsorko.com or support and buy the album on iTunes.

“This is what I love doing, I think it’s awesome that I get to do it,” said Sorko. It’s inspiring, every day I wake up I’m just inspired to create or consume media.”