Dragons Breath

Balloon Girl by Dragons Breath

Balloon Girl is inspired by the tragic story of Louisa Maud Evans, laid to rest in Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff. The idea began with our bassist, Trish, who would often pass the grave while walking her dog, and challenged Mark to turn the story into a song. It will be released as a single very soon and will also serve as the title track of our new album, due out later this year.

Bedlam Boys is our interpretation of two traditional songs, brought together into a single piece. It draws on voices associated with the infamous 18th-century institutions — Bethlem Royal Hospital and the Magdalen Hospital for Penitent Prostitutes — reflecting the lives of those who passed through them.

Mark’s arrangement was inspired by versions of Tom of Bedlam by The Halliard and Nic Jones, and he has woven in additional lyrics from Mad Maudlin to create a darker, more layered narrative.

Gaol Song was collected in 1906, sung by W. Davy in Beaminster, Devon. The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs tells us “(the) English tradition includes many crime songs but relatively few dealing with life in prison.”