Donegal folk duo Charles James & The Rise have released their new single, Greatest Prize, and play at folk and roots music conference Your Roots Are Showing on 16 January. We asked Charles the BIG questions . . .
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The new track from the husband-and-wife act of Charles and Catherine O'Donnell is "an introspective exploration of the demons that haunt us, inspired by Charles James’ own struggles with recurring nightmares".
Speaking about the song, Charles says, "As I’ve gotten older, I’ve suffered a lot with nightmares - never the same ones, but always something. Greatest Prize came from being strung out because I was waking so often through the night.
"Through the lyrics, I’ve tried to explore the idea that your demons, ghosts of the past, or whatever it happens to be, always live with you whether you realize it or not - and they’ll find a way to the surface if you don’t deal with them."
This new single follows their November release, The Sailor & The Saint, and they release their debut album later this year.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
We’re a husband and wife duo from the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal. Outside of music I’m a marine pilot down on the Congo river.
How would you describe your music?
We describe it as cinematic folk but we draw from a lot of different genres to create our sound. It’s definitely country-adjacent at times with elements of blues but we’re always focused on creating broad soundscapes to pair with cinematic visuals.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Kris Kristofferson has been a lifelong influence, Springsteen and Dylan have also played a big part in our lives. Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell’s approach to making music have been very influential over the last number of years.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
First proper gig was Red Hot Chili Peppers around 2002 in Lansdowne Road with my family. It feels like the whole of Ireland was at that show, met so many people over the years that were there too.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The Slim Shady LP by Eminem on cassette from HMV in Derry when I was around 12. I remember looking at the wall of records thinking I’ll probably get in trouble for buying it. My father was for throwing it out of the car window halfway through the first song. I think the cost of it was the only thing that stopped him!
What’s your favourite song right now?
We’ve both had the whole of Fine Art by Kneecap on repeat the last couple of months. Better Way to Live is a favourite.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Don’t confront me with my failures, I had not forgotten them" from These Days by Jackson Browne. Such a profound lyric for anybody to come up with but the fact he wrote it at the age of 16 is mind blowing.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd. Aside from being an incredible song, it has a special place in our lives as it was playing over the speakers when our baby girl Méabh arrived into the world last April.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our debut album will be out in the Spring and our website has all the info and links to all our socials. You can hear our music on whichever streaming platform you prefer, Spotify, Apple Music and all the rest.
Alan Corr
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