In September last year The Breath, featuring Stuart McCallum and Ríoghnach Connolly released Let the Cards Fall which, according to Folk Radio’s Neil McFadyen, surpassed their earlier release Carry Your Kin… “It’s as if the stories and exhortations in those bewitching songs had to be channelled; to be born at their conception, divest of artistic gestation. Without that spontaneity, their very essence could be lost. The songs are still superbly crafted, the arrangements as rich and fulfilling as any of Stuart McCallum’s work. The fundamental power those songs wield, though, comes from Ríoghnach Connolly’s emphatic vocal; whether acerbic or benign. Let The Cards Fall surpasses its predecessor in its power to take you along with it. Once again, The Breath have the power to ensnare you, and you’ll be able to think of nothing else. You have been warned.” Read the full review here.
On their latest offering ‘Only Stories (Let the Cards Revisited)’ which is out on 5 April via Real World, they revisit a selection of their skillfully crafted songs. Written by Rioghnach they are raw, poetic and deeply personal, touching on subjects that mean most to her – cultural dislocation, injustices, family, love and grief. One fine example is the love song Let It Calm You Down, our Song of the Day, for which they’ve shared this video.
The title track of the new album ‘Only Stories’, is one of two new songs which has also been released as a single and tells of Ríoghnach’s childhood summers in West Cork with her grandparents.
The Breath are on tour now, visiting Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Ireland with UK dates and festivals to follow, see dates below.
The Breath Tour Dates
23 March – Belgium, LEUVEN, Leuven Jazz
24 March – Netherlands, WAGENINGEN, Junushoff Theatre
25 March – Netherlands, AMSTERDAM, Paradiso
27 March – Germany, HAMBURG, Nochtwache
28 March – Germany, COLOGNE, Wohngemeinscharft
29 March – Germany, BERLIN, Club Auster
30 March – Germany, MUNICH, Zehner Club
31 March – Germany, LUDINGHAUSEN , Kolvenburg
10 May – Ireland, Derry, Nerve Centre
11 May – Ireland, BELFAST, The Duncairn
26 May – UK, STROUD, Stroud Jazz Festival
22 June – UK, LANCASHIRE, Cloudspotting Festival
25 June – UK, LONDON, Woodburner @ Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
28 July – UK, WILTSHIRE, WOMAD Festival
04 August – UK, SOMERSET, Valley Fest
09 August – UK, HAMPSHIRE, Boomtown Fair
10 August – BRITTANY, La Part Bello Festival
16 August – UK, DEVON, Beautiful Days Festival
17 August – UK, BRECON BEACONS, Green Man Festival
Visit their website for details: http://thebreathmusic.com/
Photo Credit: York Tillyer