Coraline James is an alt-folk musician from Kitchener, Ontario who self-describes as a forest gremlin who emerges from the woods to make music. James’ music reflects her deep connection to nature, her background as a Baroque musician, and growing up on her mom’s Elvis and Beatles albums. She is often compared to Damien Rice for his melodic sensibilities, Kate Bush for her quirky theatricality, and Adele for her powerful vocals. James describes her artistic practice as “a commitment to examining life’s inherent delight and agony with raw candor.”
New single, “Unholy Prayer,” takes the perspective of a woman in an abusive marriage who finds respite from the darkness of her reality in the arms of her lover. The haunting track features interweaving melodies and earthy instrumentation. “As I was writing, a character emerged,” James explains. “She was a woman whose affair is her only respite from an abusive marriage and the loss of her child. She’s praying for forgiveness, but ultimately she does not regret her actions.”
In August 2023, James unveiled her debut EP, In the River, produced by the esteemed JUNO Award-winning producer Michael Wojewoda. One of James’ previous releases, the single “A Forest in a City,” features contemporary dancer Violet Vaughn and earned over 283K views on YouTube.
Stream “Unholy Prayer” here : https://www.coralinejames.com/unholyprayer