Last updated: 18 November 2008
Led by Steve Balsamo, The Storys have four singer-songwriters in the band, making their music a varied mix of everything from country ballads to stomping rock.
The band found an instant chemistry when they first performed together. "Everyone would just sing a part and it would fit naturally," said Steve. "Nothing was worked out. We went for an 'if it sounds good, it is good' approach and kept the natural parts even though they might have been musically imperfect."
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.
Steve Balsamo
The Storys began recording their debut album in Rob's kitchen with Dai producing, before the band relocated to a converted cinema, The Hall, in Glyncorrwg in the Welsh valleys. They ended up recording there for six months, accompanied - according to the band - by a ghost called Carter who would change the levels on the mixing desk.
After recording over 30 songs, 11 were selected for the album. Having been independent thus far, the band decided to release the album themselves. With some financial backing they set up their own label, Hall Recordings, and released their self-titled debut album on 3 October 2005.
The album was critically acclaimed, and a series of live shows bolstered the band's reputation still further. The Storys played their first gig to over 70,000 people at the Olympic Torch Concert outside Buckingham Palace, and soon after supported Tom Jones in Pontypridd.
The Storys' second album, Town Beyond The Trees, was released in March 2008.
