The Breath

Emerging onto the folk landscape in 2016, the alternative folk duo the Breath presented their debut album Carry Your Kin, an emotional and intricately constructed collection whose uplifting blend of ambient electronics and traditional folk evoked the spirit of Bert Jansch and Bat for Lashes.

The pair, both based in Manchester, consists of vocalist and lyricist Ríoghnach Connolly alongside guitarist and songwriter Stuart McCallum of Cinematic Orchestra. They first connected in 2010 when McCallum sought a singer for a project, quickly bonding over common musical interests and concepts before beginning sporadic recording sessions across the following years. A demo submitted to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records prompted the label to supply studio time for completion, resulting in the 2016 release of Carry Your Kin. The duo then toured the U.K. late that year in support, with festival appearances following throughout 2017.

After nearly six years spent finishing their first album, McCallum and Connolly chose a faster pace for the next one. Let the Cards Fall, recorded across just three sessions featuring John Ellis on piano, Sam Vickery on bass, and Luke Flowers on drums, allowed the pair to expand their already multi-textured sound, and the album appeared in September 2018.