The Storys

The Storys

The Storys were a six-piece band from Swansea, Wales, UK who formed in Spring 2003. Their main influence is 1970s U.S. West Coast bands in the country-rock genre. The lineup is Steve Balsamo - vocals/guitar; Andy Collins – vocals/bass; Dai Smith – vocals/guitar; Rob Thompson – vocals/guitar; Brian Thomas – drums/percussion; Alan Thomas – keys/mandolin/banjo.

Biography

With 4 singer-songwriters all taking lead vocals on different songs, their sound is both fragile and intense, underpinned by a dark lyrical edge. They can turn from tender country-tinged ballad one minute to an as-wide-as-the ocean stomp the next - in the same category as classic harmony vocal bands such as Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and The Beatles, all of whom also had multiple singers.

There is much to revel in within the intricate vocal harmonies of this Swansea sextet's sound - Classic Rock

Formed with the intention of writing classic songs with great hooks, melodies and lyrics, their beginning was prolific with songs falling out of the sky and behind every song is a story containing characters and a soundtrack to their lives. There was a natural vocal chemistry: "Everyone would just sing a part and it would fit naturally. Nothing was worked out. We went for a 'if it sounds good, it is good' approach and kept the natural parts even though they might have been musically imperfect", says Steve.

The Storys possess an ability to pen instantly classic songs which ooze class - Music Week

Their first gig to over seventy thousand people at The Olympic Torch Concert outside Buckingham Palace was soon followed by a support slot with Tom Jones and a series of gigs in venues such as Bush Hall and The Borderline attracting the critics' attention:

Balsamo has a truly spellbinding voice and The Storys' melodic mandolin-backed ballads and jaunty rockers should sparks some serious interest when the band's debut album is released - Lisa Verrico, The Times

In 2006, The Storys had the honour of being personally asked by Sir Elton John to support him on his UK Arena tour and also on a few European dates. They also supported Katie Melua on some UK and European dates. In 2007, they supported Sir Elton again on his Arena tour across the UK and Europe and ended 2007 supporting Joe Cocker in the UK. In 2008, they have supported Sir Elton John again at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Runrig in Germany, Santana in Switzerland and Sinead O'Connor in Belgium.

Debut Album - The Storys

For their debut album, the production duties were entrusted to Dai, with co-production from Rob, and the album started its life in Rob's kitchen with Dai recording some very vibey acoustic tracks before relocating to The Hall, a converted cinema, now a social club, in one-road-in-one-road-out Glyncorrwg in the Welsh valleys. What was initially meant to be two weeks of pre-production in the main hall turned into more than six fantastic months of recording using the natural acoustics and vibe of the building and location - the locals werent afraid to tell the band if the music was bad or if it was good. They weren't the only ones to add their two pennies worth. The Hall has its own ghost, Carter, who would change the levels on the mixing desk to his liking and once, during a recording of the strings, was even caught on camera.

They have made a fantastic debut album - Elton John

As spring turned to summer, over thirty songs were recorded and the best eleven chosen for their debut album. By this point The Storys had come so far on their own they decided to avoid all the tested major record company routes and put out the album themselves. So with independent backing The Storys decided to set up their own label - "Hall Recordings".

Wonderful songs, great playing and instinctively beautiful harmonies - Bob Harris

Second Album - Town Beyond The Trees

The album Town Beyond The Trees, is issued on the band's own Hall Recordings label, named after the converted cinema where their self-produced debut was recorded. This new album was recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio complex earlier in 2007, with renowned producer Jon Kelly. Kelly's impressive CV includes Kate Bush, The Beautiful South, Paul McCartney, Chris Rea and The Damned.

The collapse of the record label Korova/Warners, who picked up that debut, turned out to be a blessing, with the band able to retain control of the recording and producer Jon Kelly agreeing to stay on and finish the album. It was then that the strings were added, giving the album its final polish.

"Hotel California opens South Wales Branch... can bang out a Laurel Canyon ballad or freeway-cruisin' harmony-rocker with aplomb. This second album finds them sounding almost insolently self assured..." - Uncut (4/5)

"Robust and rewarding... 'Sit up and listen' moments abound throughout Town Beyond The Trees, their superb second album... Road tested and tight as a bear hug they are cresting a creative peak. For anyone looking for a band to cherish The Storys come mightily recommended" - Rock 'n' Reel Magazine (4/5)

"The elegant second album is packed with instantly likeable FM rock songs... A very big sounding record, in more ways than one, Town Beyond The Trees is destined to be the making of these Welsh Lads" - The Star

"With the likes of Elton John and Bob Harris singing their praises it surely shouldn't be too long before the mass public comes on board and embraces their gorgeous harmony-laced music... This group is really tight, the vocals are superb and the songs are written to last through the ages. What's not to like?" - Maverick Magazine (4/5)

Discography

• "I Believe In Love" - CD single/ 7" (2006, Korova)

• "Cinnamon" - CD single/ 7" (2006, Korova)

• The Storys (March 2006, Korova) (previously released: August 2005, Hall Recordings)

1. "I Believe In Love"
2. "Be By Your Side"
3. "Cinnamon"
4. "High Enough"
5. "You're Taking My Heart Away"
6. "You're Not Around"
7. "Roll Like A Stone"
8. "Save Me"
9. "The King of Broken Dreams"
10. "Journey's End (Show Me Love)"
11. "Is It True What They Say About Us?"

• "Be By Your Side" - promo CD single/ 7" (2006, Korova)

• "Cinnamon" - CD single (2005, Hall Recordings)

• 5 Track Promo Sampler CD (2005, Hall Recordings)

1. "Cinnamon"
2. "Roll Like A Stone"
3. "High Enough"
4. "Be By Your Side"
5. "Journey's End (Show Me Love)"

• The Storys EP (2005, Hall Recordings) (Approximately 100 copies only)

1. "Be By Your Side"
2. "Roll Like A Stone"
3. "High Enough"
4. "So Long"

• The Town Beyond The Trees CD EP (2005, Hall Recordings) (60 copies only, limited edition artwork by Balsamo) (25 other copies had an old photo of Glyncorrwg printed on CD, plain plastic cover)

1. "The Town Beyond The Trees"
2. "My Foot Was Nailed To The Floor"
3. "God Take Care Of The One I Love"
4. "You're Not Around"

• The Town Beyond The Trees CD album (31 March 2008, Hall Recordings) UK chart position: #175

1. Long Hard Road
2. You Couldn't Make It Up
3. Evangelina
4. Alone
5. It's All We Really Need
6. Nobody Loves You
7. Town Beyond The Trees
8. Heaven Holds You Now
9. Feeling Something
10. Trouble Deep

External links

• The Storys Official Website
• The Storys Official MySpace Page