By Mike Romero
Provo pop/punk band AURHE, fronted by powerhouse vocalist Ava Stone, has teamed up with the creators of Struck – a new illustrated magazine and activity book from Carry On Studio that blends humor, adventure, and heart to inspire young readers toward mental wellness and rediscovering their inner “stoke.”
The band’s anthemic track “Princess Dress” became both the soundtrack and creative inspiration for a key element of Struck’s fictional narrative: Gold Rush, a fictional band within Struck led by the magnetic female rocker Raquel. “Princess Dress” appears in the video for Struck’s Kickstarter campaign, serving as the perfect pop/punk pulse behind the project’s story of healing, hope, and rediscovery.
Pop/punk music holds a legendary place in early 2000s skater culture, capturing the energy, defiance, and authenticity of a generation raised on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Vans, and after-school skate sessions. Struck channels that same rebellious optimism, showing how art, friendship, and action sports can help young people navigate emotional storms and find their “stoke” again.
Behind Struck is the mother-and-son creative team Cindy and Colby Bauer, who turned their own journey of struggle and recovery into a story that’s part comic, part reflection journal, and part activity book. The series follows nine middle-school kids from diverse backgrounds who discover a mysterious “Stoke-ometer” in an abandoned hydro plant and set out to reignite joy across their town of Brightwood. At the emotional core of issue #1 is Stormy, a character inspired by Cindy’s real-life battle with alcoholism and her path toward healing through creativity.
“This story saved my life,” Cindy shares. “I had been through rehab before and it didn’t work, but this time I had hope. Hope is what people need most when they’re low… I found hope knowing that I could create something that would cause healing.”
Together, the Bauers and AURHE are reviving the spirit of 00s skate-punk, where loud guitars met fearless creativity. They hope to empower a new wave of kids to embrace their feelings, their friends, and their individuality.
The Struck Kickstarter campaign is now live, with a stretch goal of raising $100,000 to bring the first issue to schools and homes nationwide. Supporters can pre-order the debut issue and help fuel a movement that reminds young readers that healing, like skating, takes practice.
Make sure to follow Struck and AURHE on Instagram. You can learn more about the publication in the documentary below! The video was shot in downtown Provo on Center Street at the Carry On indoor skatepark. Donate to the Struck Kickstarter campaign here!