Following the success of their debut single Feel The Rain, Chasing Pandora are releasing their first album, Mocking The Mocking Bird, on Tuesday.

It will be launched over five nights at St James Cavalier, in Valletta, from May 2 to 6.

The concerts should be "an intimate, acoustic evening, featuring Melissa Portelli's unique vocals and Keith Anthony's sensitive, soulful guitar", as well as keyboards, percussion, cello, double bass and violin.

"The album uses the raw energy of the talented musicians, who are truly passionate about the music," said their creative producer Steve Brown, who also produced Elton John's first album.

"From the bitter depths, a melancholy cello leads us into the first track on the album, whereas a manic fiddle may have you dancing on your chair as a childhood memory is revived."

Producing the album has been a labour of love. But Chasing Pandora has been the most rewarding collaboration of his life, he said. "I have never worked with such dedicated and focused artistes."

The couple have been working together for just 18 months.

About Ms Portelli, he says "the sullen, moody persona she is trying to cultivate is somewhat compromised by the fact that she laughs all the time and is a caring, compassionate person... Although her lyrics explore the darker side of life, she sings like an angel and writes insightful, beautifully crafted poems".

With regard to Mr Anthony, "despite wanting to put an axe through his head most of the time, I always found a place in my heart to forgive him because he plays with so much soul and sensitivity, and possesses a wonderful sense of melody..."

The first single, Blue Leather Chairs, is about Ms Portelli's memories of sitting on her father's lap in a blue leather rocking chair on their porch in Canada, singing Elvis Presley songs and lullabies until she would fall asleep in his arms.

Each song is personal: Lyrics and poems that are taken from life, whether it be tragedy, or triumph.

Indeed, poetry always played a major role in Ms Portelli's life until her brother was killed and her world fell apart, she writes on the CD sleeve.

"I turned my back on writing because I did not want to face my demons. Eventually, I was able to write again and found that only through words could I acknowledge my pain... From an unbearable tragedy that I thought I would never overcome, I have learnt that showing and feeling pain is much better than denying that it exists."

Ms Portelli describes their first album as "my life's journey in song" - an experience that has helped her grow.

Mocking the Mocking Bird contains 12 songs, expressing random thoughts and emotions she writes to her muse.