The content of the song speaks to de Bussac’s family crisis survival, her own mental health challenges, and her advocacy for music, movement, and time in nature to help soothe mental anguish and re-ground our spirits. Breathe was written by de Bussac while running trails in Calgary’s Bowmont Park during a long and severe health crisis in her family. “Running trails by the river was the only way I could release my anxiety…. just breathing, feeling my feet pounding on the earth, and moving my body with the trees and water…it was medicine” she states. Shinrin Yoku (a recurring lyrical theme in the track) is a Japanese practice meaning Forest Bathing… an exploration and practice of mindful movement forests and the physiological benefits in bolstering our immune systems with healing compounds from the trees.
The music is a moody and brooding aural journey with a heady trip hop groove and wistful tones invoking a sense of darkness and need for relief. The bridge’s whimsical shift to parallel key in the bridge provides a sense of hope and resolve, representing the moment of “runners high”, which de Bussac exudes, “kept me from going completely insane during very lonely and difficult times…once you get to that place it provides such relief…everything seems possible if but for a fleeting moment!” she adds.
Produced by long-time musical compadre Dean Drouillard, the recording was created long distance during the lockdown. Suzanne’s piano & vocal tracks were recorded by Scott Arnold at the Asylum for Art in Calgary, then sent to band mates in Toronto to add their parts in their own studios individually. “While I’ve not previously recorded without everybody physically together, the project provided a great sense of connection during an otherwise lonely and isolating time” de Bussac states, adding that “Between my long friendships with Scott (Asylum for Art) & Michelle Baker here in Calgary, and the bond between the bandmates in Toronto, I feel we were able to create something musically almost on a deeper level due to the connections between the musicians and perhaps due to the most bizarre situation of pandemic isolation”. Musicians are Kurt Swinghammer (Guitar), Don Kerr (Drums), Kevin LaCroix (Bass), Dean Drouillard (Synth/Guitar) Michelle Baker (backing vocals), Suzanne de Bussac (Piano/Vocal).