Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum are the creative heart of The Breath. And for them, it’s all about the song.
Connolly writes the only way she knows how; a stream of poetic consciousness giving rise to honest, personal, heartfelt songs as likely to touch on childhood summers and first love as cultural dislocation, post-colonial injustices and grief. But it’s her deeply soulful, utterly engaging, stop-you-in-your-tracks voice —whether delicate and hushed or powerful and gutsy— coupled with Stuart’s understated brilliance and their exquisitely crafted songs, that give The Breath such emotional depth.
Let the Cards Fall —with pianist John Ellis, bassist Sam Vicary and drummer Luke Flowers— is the follow-up to their 2016 breakthrough album, Carry Your Kin. A bewitching collection of songs allowed to mature and breathe without losing the widescreen, multi-textured kaleidoscope of sound that marked their debut, while refining their trademark Manchester take on alt-folk.
The Breath mark the 50th anniversary of lost American folk icon Karen Dalton's album In My Own Time with a cover of 'Something On Your Mind', as well as adding music to a Karen Dalton original lyric, 'Remembering Mountains'.
Only Stories (Let the Cards Fall Revisited) is a duo recording that captures the very essence of The Breath with a selection of skilfully crafted songs —mostly from their recent album Let the Cards Fall. Stuart McCallum’s beautifully insistent, subtle guitar is the perfect partner to Ríoghnach Connolly’s intoxicating, passionate voice.
A bewitching collection of songs that journeys from lush, beguiling storytelling to uplifting, punch-the-air anthems. Allowed to mature and breathe without losing the widescreen, multi-textured kaleidoscope of sound that marked their debut, Let the Cards Fall refines The Breath's unique Manchester take on alt-folk.
