The Breath

Catch The Breath at St Mary in the Castle

The Breath, the new band project of former Cinematic Orchestra guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer and lyricist Rioghnach Connolly, is coming to St Mary in the Castle: a Music Net Tour presented by Root Music and Band on the Wall. HOT’s Zelly Restorick writes.

Ah, the amazing world of multi-media, allowing me to bring your ears a glimpse into The Breath’s soundscape, so that you can listen for yourself and see if this is a gig you’d like to attend.

I’ve heard good things about these musicians – and here’s how they describe themselves: “The Breath is Stuart McCallum (former guitarist of The Cinematic Orchestra), Irish singer Ríoghnach (pron. REE uh nah) Connolly and Mcallum’s fellow Cinematic alumni, pianist John Ellis and drummer Luke Flowers. Born out of Manchester’s fertile music scene they mix Irish folk influences with mesmerizing guitar riffs, anthemic themes and powerful hooks.

“Drawing on the influences of traditional Irish folk song, Connolly’s original lyrics pour forth from her own life in a torrent of meaning. She sings songs of birth and death, woman’s rights, first love, the call of motherhood, the death of men at sea and post-colonial wrongs.

“All delivered with compelling emotional honesty and a raw urgency as McCallum, Ellis and Flowers delve deeply into the spaces between rock, ambient, folk and jazz to deliver a powerfully hypnotic accompaniment that moves from chilled soundscapes to rocking anthems.

“Recorded in Manchester and at Real World Studios and mixed by sound guru Tchad Blake, The Breath’s debut album Carry Your Kin was released on Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records in July 2016.”

Support is provided by acoustic guitarist Kirk McElhinney, whose soulful lyrics and masterful playing has seen him take to the stage with folk legends such as Bert Jansch and Tommy Emmanuel.

The Breath and Kirk McElhinney
St Mary in the Castle, Thursday 26 January. Doors open at 7pm.

The Breath website and Facebook Page.

Also in: Music & Sound