Aurora Li

Growing up in the beautiful Blue Mountains, Aurora Li has been a lover of music for as long as she can remember. Dancing along to music before she could even walk – or so her mother tells her – music has always had a way of carrying Aurora through life. She began learning classical piano at the age of four, and soon began writing songs about whatever profound thoughts one could have at such an age. At 14, she picked up her mother’s old guitar and taught herself enough guitar chords to accompany herself for her first gig.

Now a fresh graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music, she has a string of festivals, events and venues behind her – both as a solo musician and as one half of indie/folk sister-duo, The River Li. 

Career highlights have included the Katoomba Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba Live and Local series, the Illawarra Folk Festival (Fresh Folk winner – ‘Best performance of a folk song from another tradition’), Bello Winter Music (Youth Mentorship Vocal award winner), Pulse 2019 at the Sydney Opera House, where Breathing Underwater’s soaring harmonies took centre stage, St Alban’s Folk Festival with The River Li, and her hometown favourite – The Blue Mountains Music Festival.

Still only 21, Aurora’s fresh and optimistic take on life can find a song in every joy and every heartache. Her spare, acoustic indie folk/pop sound is complimented by sharply observed lyrics that traverse her experiences of friendship, loss, regret and redemption. With a voice that gently takes you along for the ride, you will be enchanted and you will be mesmerised.