Singer William McCarthy's brother James was found dead of an apparent suicide in 2009, shortly after McCarthy's band Pela imploded, leaving him and his bandmate Eric Sanderson devastated and financially ruined. The two men, who went on to form the band Augustines, struggled to finish their debut album while dealing with their personal demons and the loss of James. McCarthy's songwriting during this time became his defining work, and the album Rise Ye Sunken Ships is a testament to the pain of loss and the celebration of life.
RISE: The Story of Augustines
William's younger brother James McCarthy was discovered deceased at Napa State Hospital in August 2009, with the cause of death attributed to suicide, while serving a lengthy sentence for attempted murder.
