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.”
James’ newest release, the 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.
“Music is many things to me — cathartic, celebratory, a gateway to new worlds, but it is when it becomes a thunderous, howling cry into the universe that it resonates most deeply in my being.” says James.
In James’ live show, she creates a compelling and varied sonic landscape. Her poignant lyrics are delivered with expressive vocals and underpinned by vivid arrangements ranging from hauntingly sparse to harmonically lush. With her sampler, she layers her vocals in dense harmonic structures to create a one-woman choir.
James is not only a musician – she’s also a visual storyteller with a passion for capturing moments that speak to the soul. With her skills in photography and videography, she adds a layer of emotion to her art, creating a truly immersive experience for her audience. In addition to capturing the visuals of live music, James specializes in nature photography (particularly small details) and end-of-life portraiture.
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, earned over 283K views on YouTube.
Before diving into alt folk music, James was a classical singer and choral director. Career highlights included performing as a soloist with The Talisker Players, The Annex Singers, DaCapo Chamber Choir, and Spiritus Ensemble as well as performances in England and Italy.
Outside of her artistic pursuits, James works to live a sustainable life. She currently has an urban homestead, complete with chickens, extensive gardens, and a hydroponic growing system and she and her family are working on developing a full-blown homestead. In her free time, James enjoys foraging, reading, and exploring the forest.
