The idea is simple. Focus on what's important: memorable melodies, captivating stories, stark honesty and an unrelenting commitment to where the music grows; the live show.

Formed in Toronto in 2003, band members have been friends and collaborators for years but decided to work together out of mutual respect for each other's writing style, musical influences and a similar inability to imagine doing anything else with their lives.

The Free Press are: Alex Oliveira, Len Ottesen, Jesse Pitcher, James Dallas Smith and Mick Torbay. Everyone in the band sings. A lot. Because each member has a different voice and carries a unique story. Oliveira is an award winning comedian and singer. Ottesen is a former political analyst and academic. Pitcher is a musical bright light in his native Australia. Smith is a professional actor. Torbay is a top rated commercial jingle writer. They use these varied backgrounds in everything from their compositions to the live presentation.

They have played aggressively around Ontario in some of the area's top venues including: The Horseshoe Tavern, The Kee to Bala, Lee's Palace, Old Fort York and more.

On the small screen The Free Press were very excited to make a featured appearance on Protocol Entertainments' acclaimed evening drama, Metropia. The band performed two songs in support of The Free Press' own James Dallas Smith who plays the role of "Garth". Be sure to check out the part where Mick appears like he's going to knock over the steadicam operator. His normally rock-solid concentration is momentarily weakened by the horror of damaging three hundred thousand dollars worth of high-definition video equipment. Hilarity ensues.

In 2005, The Free Press were proud to release a 6 song EP, STORMS. This debut offering was self produced and recorded by Chris "Lurch" Rudyk. Industry legend J. Richard Hutt (2000 CCMA Producer of the Year, The Northern Pikes, The Skydiggers, Tom Cochrane) mastered the album and added the finishing touches. STORMS is now available on cdbaby.com, amazon.com, iTunes, Napster, MSN Music and in your local record store through Super D Distribution.

Most recently, The Free Press are in pre-production for their first full length album with industry veteran J. Richard Hutt and about to embark on a tour of eastern Canada.