IRISH folk singer Heidi Talbot and Scottish multi-instrumentalist John McCusker have recorded exclusively as a duo for the first time on the mini-album Love Is The Bridge Between Two Hearts.

Partners in music – and life – for ten years, Talbot and McCusker released the six-track record last Friday on the Under One Sky record label and will mount an extensive British and European tour in early summer, incorporating Yorkshire gigs at the Caroline Social Club, Saltaire, on June 1, The Greystones, Sheffield, on June 3 and Selby Town Hall on June 8.

McCusker has produced Talbot's last three albums, 2010's The Last Star, 2013's Angels Without Wings and 2016's Here We Go, 1, 2, 3 and both have played all over the world in each other’s touring bands.

Working and recording together on Love Is The Bridge Between Two Hearts has been an organic process, reveals 44-year-old McCusker. "We’ve never had a big musical plan and we try and do what feels natural to us," he says. "Recording an album together seemed completely natural and we’re always striving to keep things as fresh as we can musically. As much for ourselves, as for the audience."

The mini-album features Sprig Of Thyme, Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes, the title track, William Hall, Dear Someone and Over The Hills And Far Away and represents the culmination of McCusker and Talbot's shared experiences in a love-letter to the traditional songs that inspired them while growing up.

"Heidi loves going through the old traditional songbooks," says McCusker. "One of the things that excites us most is when you reinterpret a traditional song or find beautiful old words and write a new tune for them. That's what we've tried to do with this record and hopefully create something new and beautiful with them."

Talbot says of the opening Sprig Of Thyme: "One of my earliest musical memories is hearing my mum and dad playing Foster and Allen’s version of A Bunch of Thyme; it’s one of our favourite folk songs.”

Music is to the fore in the daily life of McCusker and Talbot, who live in Scotland with their two young daughters, Molly Mae and Jessica. "The house is always full of music. The kids think it’s normal and have never known any different," says 37-year-old Heidi. "They thought everyone played music and when people would come to the house they’d ask what instrument they played."

Living and working in this musical environment has both helped to shape and mould the mini-album and give it a personal touch. "We both want our records to sound like friends sitting around playing music and having a lovely time, rather than trying to get it sonically perfect," says Talbot. "When we came to make this record, it was the perfect example of that. We’d call our friends and we’re very lucky that they’re very good at playing music." Among them were Adam Holmes, John Smith, Innes White, Michael McGoldrick and Capercaillie's Donald Shaw.

The album title, Love Is The Bridge Between Two Hearts, was inspired by the new Queensferry Bridge in Scotland. "We go past it every day and that got us thinking about how many bridges we cross every day on tour," says McCusker. "We loved the idea of bridges bringing people together. Looking at this beautiful new bridge, you start thinking about the traffic going each way and compare it to the music we’re putting across with this mini-album."

Roll on June for the concerts that lie ahead. "We’re enjoying the moment and looking forward to the tour. We’re excited about playing the new songs live, but there will also be songs from our solo records and some special guests along the way. We’re taking our girls with us on tour and there’s something really lovely about going off on a new adventure," says McCusker.

“Every time you make a record, it’s like a snapshot or musical photograph of where you are at that time in your life. When you listen to Love Is The Bridge Between Two Hearts, this is the sound of a happy family making music."

Tickets for June 8's 8pm show in Selby cost £16 on 01757 708449 or at selbytownhall.co.uk or £18 on the door from 7.30pm.