photos /Bree Fish
story / Shaila Fisher
In the murky aftermath of a breakup where no one is truly to blame, the mind can easily become a relentless echo chamber of dissected conversations and lingering ‘what-ifs.’ For artist Fia James, silencing that noise required more than just the passage of time; it demanded a complete emotional degaussing.
Stepping away from her early roots in a hometown blues-rock outfit, Fia spent the last year meticulously cultivating a sound and voice that are entirely her own, resulting in her debut EP, “spotless state of mind.” The EP is a captivating confession that seeks to transform the chaos of romantic fallout into something profoundly beautiful, wiping the slate clean through raw vulnerability and trusted instincts.
This new record strips away the armor of a seasoned frontwoman to reveal the unfiltered heart of a storyteller. The EP was born from a painstaking process of trial and error, prioritizing the exact emotional weight of tracks like the hyper-intimate “how to be lovers” over an easy finish. By dismantling toxic dynamics and shedding the savior complex on songs like “batman,” she essentially opens up her diary to the world, capturing the heartbreaking, self-aware humor of giving too much of yourself away for someone else’s attention.
Now, with the slate finally clean and the record out in the wild, Fia James opens up about the terrifying beauty of radical honesty, the liberation of cracking the perfect mix, and exactly where she goes from here.
What made “spotless state of mind” the title that ultimately represented the entire project?
It became the title because it felt like the thread connecting every song. The EP is all about memory and trying to make something beautiful out of emotional turmoil, wanting to wipe the slate clean and find peace after the mess.
You mentioned that making the record felt like “degaussing” yourself. What parts of yourself were you trying to clear away?
I think after breakups, especially ones where it feels like nobody technically did anything terrible, it’s easy to get stuck replaying everything in your head. I found myself constantly dissecting every conversation. So, at the time, I thought it would be easier to clear it out completely.
What conversations were you having with yourself while making this record?
I feel like the conversations I was really having with myself were, “Where do these songs live?” And where are they going to live in someone else’s head? I kept going over how I’d be able to convey the weight, love, and chaos inside these songs through production and instrumentation, not just the lyrics.
Which song felt the riskiest to release, and why?
Oooh, this is a great question. I think the riskiest song to release was “how to be lovers.” Not only did it take 700 mixes to get right (not literally), but it’s also the most honest song on the record. It’s about a real night that happened to me and that sort of ignorant bliss that comes with reconnecting with an ex. What I love about this song is that every detail you hear actually happened, and releasing it felt like opening up my diary and sharing one very specific moment in my life with the world. That’s both terrifying and beautiful.
“spotless state of mind” took over a year to make. What was the hardest moment in that process, and what was the most liberating?
It was a long time coming, and I am so grateful it’s finally out in the world. One of the hardest parts of the process was learning how to articulate exactly what I was hearing in my head. For example, I’ve joked about how it took us 700 different mixes, but it really did take a lot of trial and error to get it to feel right. Then, I think the most liberating moment was when we finally cracked it.
Is there a line on this EP you’re especially proud of, one where you feel you really landed where you wanted?
Yes! I love the lyric in “batman” where I sing, “But I’m the Joker, a fool to your needs, make you laugh till you leave.” I think it perfectly captures how I felt when I wrote it. There’s something heartbreaking yet hilarious about realizing how much of yourself you’re willing to give away just to keep someone’s attention. I would’ve made a complete and utter fool of myself for one more laugh, and I think that lyric really encapsulates the feeling.
This is your debut EP, but you’ve been developing your craft for years. What feels different about the artist you are now compared to when you first started performing?
It feels a lot different. I started out as a singer-songwriter in a blues-rock band with friends from home, so stepping away from that and figuring out my own sound and voice was a real challenge. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my instincts more and lean into the things that make me unique.
You’ve played everything from dive bars to Irving Plaza and The Stone Pony. How has your relationship with live performance changed as the stages have gotten bigger?
I think every venue and stage has been such a valuable experience. Honestly, the bigger the stage, though, the more comfortable I feel. Something about having space to bounce around and really connect with the crowd. Those smaller, more intimate rooms tend to feel more vulnerable because there’s nowhere to hide, haha. Both have their own magic.
Now that the EP is out and the slate is clean, where does Fia James go from here?
Right back to work! I am in the early stages of crafting up the next project, but also trying to stay present and celebrate this huge moment. At the same time, I’m really feeling inspired and excited to be collaborating with some phenomenal creatives on whatever comes next.
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