MIRI release her soulful new track ‘Just Breathe’ today to mark World Mental Health Day (on 10th Oct). It was written partly to comment on the toxic nature of social media but ultimately is a song with a message of unity and hope, as MIRI encourages those who are struggling during this time in particular to take a breath and ask for help.
Today, we are debuting the equally claiming and introspective music video below. It was shot and directed by Kate Lane on her iPhone during lockdown. The solo shots of the verses which capture a sense of being trapped are cut with uplifting and wide-open scenes of yoga in the sunlight, which mirror the feeling of relief in the choruses and the duality of the track.
MIRI says “Just Breathe is my message to anyone struggling mentally to please reach out for help. We are living in an incredibly stressful and intense time especially with the pandemic. It can all have a major impact on our mental health and wellbeing which is why it was important for me to release this track for WMHD. I also wanted to touch on the negative effects of social media – it’s not always easy to take a breather from it.”
MIRI has carved her own path of her own in the last couple of years. Musically she is known for her distinctive soulful vocal tone, socially conscious lyrics whilst outside of music, she remains a huge champion of LGBTQ+ causes and works alongside various youth and mental health awareness programs. With mental health awareness being an area very dear to her heart, the east London based singer/songwriter is set to release this single with an over-arching message of hope as MIRI aims to encourage those who are struggling with their mental health during this extremely testing period to take a breath and ask for help.
Written also in reaction partly to the sad death of Caroline Flack, the verses act as a reminder of just how negative social media (particularly Twitter) has become, whilst the choruses deliver this loving message from MIRI: “I’ve been lucky to have some very kind and supportive friends, fans, supporters in my life. I wanted to reach out to them in the chorus to show my love and my support for them.”
‘Just Breathe’ caps off a busy few months for MIRI creatively (given the unique circumstances that Covid has thrown up) as she performed a host of online and lockdown style sessions which include; supporting Frank Turner, a show to raising money and awareness for UK Black Pride with The Telegraph, the Pxssy Pandemic Festival and What’s Going On In My Head (events that explore the secret inner workings of the mind through live performance and discussion). Outside of music she recently wrote a blog for FAC About Pride, Was a guest on the Elevate Podcast in association with Help Musicians UK and has launched her EZINE/Newsletter and T-Shirt range entitled ‘Find Your Voice’.”
‘Just Breathe’ is digitally out 9th Oct to mark World Mental Health Day on 10th Oct
