Folk outfit Charles James & The Rise release new single, “Greatest Prize”
The single coincided with the band’s showcase performance at Your Roots are showing, Ireland’s Folk conference
Charles James & The Rise is the folk project of husband-and-wife duo Charles James and Catherine O'Donnell. Drawing from the rugged beauty of Donegal and the timeless darkness of folk tradition, their music weaves cinematic depth with choral harmonies. A Ship’s Pilot by trade, Charles writes from a life shaped by adventure, loss, and the wild Irish coastline. The duo has garnered widespread acclaim for their emotive storytelling and electrifying live performances, which have graced stages from Ireland’s Electric Picnic to Chicago’s Irish American Heritage Centre. Their deeply personal approach to songwriting has won fans across the globe and has placed them firmly on the radar of folk and indie music lovers alike.
"Greatest Prize" is an introspective exploration of the demons that haunt us, inspired by Charles James’ own struggles with recurring nightmares. Through poetic and self-aware lyrics, the song unpacks how unresolved traumas—“ghosts of the past”—linger beneath the surface and inevitably demand acknowledgment.
“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.”
Yet amidst the song’s darker themes, Charles brings moments of wry self-awareness and humor, admitting, “I’d be the first to tell someone to get help and the last to actually take my own advice!” This balance of vulnerability and levity is a hallmark of Charles James & The Rise’s music, shining through in the new single. Fans can expect the duo’s signature cinematic sound, blending Charles’ raw, heartfelt delivery with Catherine O’Donnell’s ethereal harmonies, layered between rich storytelling and melodies melodies.
The single follows the success of their November release, "The Sailor & The Saint," which received critical acclaim and continued to build momentum for their debut album, set to release later this year. Already recognized as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s (ES) “20 Artists You Should Know for 2024,” Charles James & The Rise are flying the Irish folk flag high, and we love to see it.
Charles james & the rise are included on our celtic folk & trad playlist: Stream below!
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