There is something innately human about wanting to hold onto the things that hurt us, and for Fia James, those moments filled with mountains of confusion and unanswered questions eventually became the foundation for her debut EP, spotless state of mind.
The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter has created a debut record centered on the process of reflecting and looking back whilst also trying to move forward. While doing this, she drew inspiration from her favorite film and cult classic indie piece, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Across the EP, Fia transforms emotional chaos into something cathartic and intimate storytelling into something relatable.
From the sharp-edged honesty of “batman” to the thought-provoking title track, “spotless state of mind,” James’ musical debut captures the reality of love and self-discovery. Fia embraces those human moments of uncertainty, finding solace in the moments where the madness of heartache just means that you’re really alive.
The Knockturnal caught up with Fia James to discuss the creative process behind spotless state of mind, moving to New York to pursue her dreams, and her evolution as an artist.
Read our full interview with Fia James below:
I’m really curious about your upbringing and background, and what shaped you into the person and creator you are today. Can you tell me a little bit about where you grew up, what you were interested in growing up, and what experiences influenced who you’ve become?
I grew up in Marblehead, MA, a small town just north of Boston. I always loved entertaining people, whether that meant making them laugh or performing songs I’d written. I also grew up in the restaurant industry, so music was always blasting in the background. There was everything from Aretha Franklin to Cream to Sheryl Crow playing, and I think being surrounded by all of that from such a young age really shaped my love for music.
I know New York has played such an important role in your creative journey. What led you to New York, and what were you hoping to pursue when you first started building your life there?
I moved to New York because it felt like a place of infinite opportunities. I really wanted to be surrounded by creative, like-minded people who inspired me. I feel like it’s pushed me in so many challenging ways. It introduced me to my best friends and collaborators and gave me such confidence. Moving from Boston to NYC was the best decision I have ever made for myself.
Has writing music always been a part of your life, or is that something you discovered more recently? When did you realize you wanted to pursue music more seriously?
Songwriting has always been a part of my life. I started writing songs in high school, and for a long time it was just fun for me, a way to therapize my feelings, but over time it became the way I processed pretty much everything. I wanted to pursue music seriously when I saw that people were actually connecting to my songs that I would upload and not just my funny content. It made me want to move fully into the music world.
I’d love to hear more about the process of bringing this EP to life. Where did the writing, production, and recording take place, and what did that creative process look like for you? Are you the type of songwriter who gets inspired in random moments, writing ideas down in the middle of the night, or do you have a more structured process?
The EP came together over the course of almost two years now. Half of the writing happened in Brooklyn, while the other half took place in Nashville with a handful of wonderful collaborators. Luke, my executive producer, and I would chip away at production and recording every time I was down in Nash. Some songs came together within a couple of days, while others went through dozens and dozens of versions before it felt right. For songwriting, I am not one to sit down every day and wait for inspiration. Ideas usually hit me at the most inconvenient times, but that’s why my notes app is my prized possession.
This EP feels like a really important introduction to you as an artist. When you started creating this project, what was the biggest thing you wanted people to understand about you, your experiences, or your story?
I wanted people to understand that this project was all about letting go. Every song captures a different stage of trying to make sense of heartbreak. I also wanted people to see me beyond the version of me they may know from the internet. I’ll always love making people laugh, but songwriting is where I get to show the parts of myself that are a little messier.
Every artist has a process of finding their sound and identity. How did you approach creating the sound and feeling of this EP? Did you know what you wanted it to be from the beginning, or did that develop throughout the process?
It developed over time for sure. I had a general idea of the emotional world I wanted the project to live in, but I don’t think I fully understood what spotless state of mind was until I wrote the title track. Once I had it though, I knew exactly what the rest of the EP needed to feel like. Sonically, I wanted to live somewhere between indie pop and rock. I love guitars that feel gritty and imperfect, but also wanted moments that felt dreamy and cinematic.
“jealous baby” really stood out as one of the standout tracks on the EP. Can you tell me the story behind that song and what inspired you to write it?
“jealous baby” is kind of a joke that accidentally became a real song. I was in LA writing with Matt Hall and Davin Kingston, and I originally brought in a different song but ended up frankensteining the two together. It’s all about having someone in your life, a partner or a friend who’s secretly rooting against you.
As you’re beginning this chapter in music, what are some goals, projects, or upcoming plans you’re excited about that you can share with listeners?
I am really excited to keep writing. Making this EP taught me so much about who I am as an artist. I am also hoping to hop on some more opening slots and live shows
