Released: 7 June 2010 / Label: Angel Air Catalogue No: sjpcd338
1. Everybody Wants You To Make It 2. Daylight Calls Again 3. Burning Sun 4. California 5. Please Come Home 6. She'll Never Do That 7. Take All The Time That You Need 8. Long Way Up 9. Paper Plane 10. Before I Fall 11. All Inside
The Storys are a 6 piece 70s west-coast-influenced country-rock band from South Wales who formed in Spring 2003.
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 Magazine
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 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 debut album was recorded in an old converted cinema in the heart of the Welsh hills. It took over a year to complete, and was initially released on the band's own Hall Recordings label. It had some fantastic initial reviews, and somehow got into the hands of Sir Elton John.
"They have made a fantastic debut album" - Elton John
A huge music fan, Elton personally called Steve and told him how much he loved the album. He then invited the band to tour with him all over the UK and Europe during the summer of 2005. He invited them again during the summer of 2006 and they played the Liberty Stadium in their hometown of Swansea in the summer of 2008. In between, the band successfully headlined several of their own British tours and supported Katie Melua on some UK and European dates. The Storys ended 2007 supporting Joe Cocker in the UK.
"Swansea's answer to The Eagles" - Classic Rock Magazine
The debut album 'The Storys' was picked up by the iconic Warners Korova label in the UK, and Ryko in the US. Soon after, the band headed off for the South By South West festival in Austin, Texas where they played to great reviews. As a result of their appearence, the song 'Be By Your Side' was picked up and used in hit US teen drama One Tree Hill. And 'I Believe In Love' and 'Save Me' were used in hit Brit gangster flick 'The Bank Job'. Director Roger Donaldson loved the band so much he asked them to appear as themselves in the movie!
"Robust and rewarding The Storys serve up soaring harmony rock that suggests a well-spent youth absorbing all things good from the USA's West Coast" - Rock 'n' Reel Magazine
The band headed to Peter Gabriel's Real World studio complex with renowned producer Jon Kelly. Kelly's impressive CV includes Kate Bush, The Beautiful South, Paul McCartney, Chris Rea and The Damned. They had what Andy describes as, "the most enjoyable time ever!" making the record, and the fantastic results can be heard on their current album 'Town Beyond The Trees'.
"Wonderful songs, great playing and instinctively beautiful harmonies" - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
2008 has been a fantastic year for The Storys. It kicked off with the Dear Mr Fantasy gig at the legendary Roundhouse in London, which saw the band on stage with Joe Walsh, Steve Winwood, Pete Townsend, Bill Wyman and countless other legends playing the songs of the late Traffic drummer Jim Capaldi. This was followed by another successful tour of the UK and a week of shows in Monte Carlo. Unfortunately , at this time Dai Smith decided to leave the band and was replaced by the brilliant and beautiful country/folk singer Rosalie Deighton. From there the band headed to Amsterdam for the biggest gig of their career - supporting Celine Dion. The Storys received a standing ovation from the sell out crowd of 64,000 people at the Amsterdam Arena that night.
"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 almost insolently self-assured..." - Uncut Magazine (4/5)
A huge show as special guests of Santana in Locarno, Switzerland followed. Then a long drive straight to Germany for a week of gigs with fellow Celts, Runrig. As if this wasn't enough, they were than asked to open up for Van Morrison on his British shows as well as playing at a terrific festival with Daniel Lanois and Sinead O'Connor in Belgium.
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)
The Storys have performed at many festivals in the UK - notably Glastonbury, Guilfest, Bestival and the Maverick Country Music Festival. They have also played at a number of festivals across Europe, including Stars and Moon in Switzerland, Lokerse in Belgium, Tollwood in Germany and Take Root in Holland. The Dutch seem to be taking The Storys to their hearts as their first 2 singles from 'Town Beyond The Trees' - 'Long Hard Road' and 'Evangelina' have been playlisted on many national and regional radio stations. As a result, 2008 ends with the band heading to Holland again to play some radio shows and make their debut at the legendary Paradiso in Amsterdam.
With lots of great new songs penned and a new album in the pipeline, The Storys are eagerly looking towards 2009 and the many more adventures that lie ahead.
Influences : The Storys
Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Wilco, Grandaddy, Jeff Tweedy, The Beatles
2009 - Round 2 - Guest Judge Comments...
Guest Judge Comments on: The Storys's Town Beyond The Trees
7 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting Nice song
7 point(s) for Performance Good voice and band
7 point(s) for Capture Well captured
21 Total Points Soulful Americana sound well executed, not sure how that relates to Swansea but why not.
Guest Judge Comments on: The Storys's Town Beyond The Trees
9 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting Nice broooooody sound, beautiful verse, lovely harmonies in the chorus.
This song isn't catchy but that really doesn't matter for this style of music, it's taking you on a fleetwood mac esq journey and all is well :)
Love the "Love Will Never Die" lyric, really cuts through at 3:46 brilliant.
The song moves along and never leaves me behind, it's not in your face, but there is so much emotion and passion in it. Love it.
10 point(s) for Performance Fantastic breathy, soaring at times, tender at times vocal. Just brilliant brilliant brilliant. Excellent arrangement, beautiful instrumentation, subtle but utterly powerful.
9 point(s) for Capture Beautifully recorded guitars, especially love the scrapes. Tender, breathy vocal captured really well.
Nice thick bass lines and soft kick just adding a depth to the sound.
Instrumentation captured perfectly.
28 Total Points Pure talent, excellent song writing.
Guest Judge Comments on: The Storys's Town Beyond The Trees
7 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting Nice song. Classic folk influences shining through and a little Celtic. Lyrically I felt it was clearly a worship song, which is fine, but that was very clear.
7 point(s) for Performance Very nice. If anything, could've done with a bit more passion in the instrumental performances to back up the vocal.
7 point(s) for Capture Quite lofi. But does the trick. Clear and audible. The engineering may have been slightly better.
Guest Judge Comments on: The Storys's Town Beyond The Trees
7 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting A good song. Well structured and good pace throughout. Arguably, you could have got to the chorus a bit sooner. Good (but nicely subtle) additional textures as you come to v2. I think the track in its current form would work well live. It might be a bit long for record. That said, I enjoyed listening to it. The lyrics work work well and obviously carry a sincere and heartfelt message.
8 point(s) for Performance Really strong. A great voice and a heartfelt performance. I liked the fact that the band and vocalist showed great restraint at the front. This meant they had somewhere to go. I also like the fact that the climax still had a degree of restraint about it. It felt in good taste. Nice playing.
8 point(s) for Capture Beautifully recorded and mixed. Can't really argue with much of this as it totally suited the performance and the song. My only comment would be to perhaps excercise some restraint when it comes to the length of the song. Might be worth trying an edit or two - a) to get you to the chorus faster and b) to retain attention throughout.
23 Total Points Overall, excellent. The overtly religious tone might limit the opportunities for mainstream exposure but I think within that music community it feels like it could be successful.
Guest Judge Comments on: The Storys's Town Beyond The Trees
10 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting This is a very good song.
9 point(s) for Performance Very good convincing vocal performance - why the American accent?
The song should drop back down to the single guitar used at the Intro at some point to create a greater dynamic. Use the suspended chord section from the end earlier in the song as well.
9 point(s) for Capture A good atmospheric arrangement, good use of reverb on the guitars, and nice simplistic repetition in the picking parts - it has little of the Velvet Underground vibe. Keep the heavy elec guitar chord for the last verse ("...on my soul").
28 Total Points Excellent - more like this, please!
Guest Judge Comments on: The Storys's Town Beyond The Trees
8 point(s) for Composition / Songwriting Fabulous song! The lyrics draw the listener in to pay attention to the story. Well crafted lyrics that support and enhance the melody. A very sophisticated piece of writing. Perhaps only lacks the killer hook early enough.
8 point(s) for Performance Excellent performance that captures the atmosphere of the song from the start. Perhaps more of a dynamic build would have completed the song better.
9 point(s) for Capture Very well recorded but for me the perhaps too simple a production leaves the song slightly incomplete. A case of either too much or too little I think? Of course this is all a little unfair considering the quality of Jon Kelly's work
25 Total Points This band is already well on its way and perhaps it is rather unfair competition against the other entrants considering they have made their album under such high quality circumstances and with such an accomplished professional
