Her influences include Pat Metheny, Sade, Tracey Thorn, Lady Miss Kier, Madonna, Esthero, Morcheeba, Bebel Gilberto, Basia, and Róisín Murphy.
[2] At the age of 13, James lost her mother to breast cancer, after an eight-year battle with the disease.
[5][non-primary source needed] James and friend Dave Curtin discussed which label would be good for her music and came up with Om Records.
[7] James later stated that just before Rise was released, her father died and she took some time off before producing material for the new album.
James released the song "Wings of Faith", dedicated to Japan, due to the tsunami in March 2011.