CHIMPAN A – the Welsh band featuring vocalist Steve Balsamo ( Jesus Christ Superstar, John Lord, The Storys, Eric Wolfson) and Robert Reed (Magenta,Cyan and Sanctuary) release their 3rd album ‘M.I.A. Vol. 1’ on 29 August 2025 through Tigermoth Records, on CD, LP and Digital.
The band have released two albums, Chimpan A and The Empathy Machine, with the new album “M.I.A.Vol 1” being released in August 2025. The album also features the vocal talents of Welsh singers, Christina Booth, Kirstie Roberts and Angharad Brinn. Musically there are no rules, drawing influences from Peter Gabriel, Tears For Fears and Blue Nile. Mixing folk, electronic, classical, progressive rock and spoken word.
The concert will feature tracks from the three albums. Steve and Robert will be joined by Christina Booth and Kirstie Roberts, and a full band performance to launch the new album.
At the very core of the project is what the pair describe unapologetically as an ‘old-fashioned’ response to the ‘TikTokification’ of music. ‘M.I.A. Vol. 1’ honours the vinyl album tradition, with clearly defined sides A and B; the first has shorter, more commercial tracks, with Side B made up of longer pieces.
In advance of the album, the band are releasing four old school singles, one a month, available as a physical CD and digital download. Each has an original track alongside a cover – they take on a plethora of [in their words] “probably untouchable” sacred cows, delivering incredible versions of massive songs from Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Webb, The Hollies, Carole King, even Hot Chocolate. Anyone for making life easy for themselves?
Steve Balsamo says, “The project has always been a joy. I love the collaboration and bringing together amazing musicians and crashing them into each other to see what happens. Rob is such a fabulous producer, really understanding sound and he is really able to get the most emotional impact out of the songs and what the musicians bring to The Chimp’s table. It always comes down to songs, so songwriting is the backbone of the project, but what we’ve tried to do is deconstruct and mess with the process. It was all a kind of chance, or synchronicity”.
Robert Reed adds, “Musically it shouldn’t work, but it is just so exciting hearing sudden changes of style. Going from Euro dance, and suddenly having a burst of jazz, or folk. As long as it works emotionally, nothing was off the table. The Chimp is our music safe space. In this environment I think it just leads to the best work, as you’re 100% into and it’s totally honest and not contrived”.
You may also like the following events from Acapela Studio:
Also check out other
Music events in Saint Peter Port,
Entertainment events in Saint Peter Port,
Concerts in Saint Peter Port.
