Some memories we wish we could relive again and again, while others we’d do anything to forget. Yet within that tension lies an essential truth: our memories are what shape us. They teach us, challenge us, and ultimately help us heal and grow. It’s a concept most famously explored in the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and one that Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Fia James revisits on her debut EP, spotless state of mind.
Written over the course of a year, James describes the film inspired project as “romanticizing your own collapse in real time.” Across tracks like “batman” and the EP’s title track, she unpacks the lingering memories of a toxic relationship, gradually rediscovering herself in the aftermath.
In our latest interview, we chatted with Fia James about the making of spotless state of mind, the peace that comes with wiping her metaphorical slate clean, and what she learned about herself along the way.
JUICE BOX PRESS: The title of the EP, spotless state of mind, draws inspiration from the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. What is it about that film that resonates with you, and how does it reflect the themes we hear throughout the EP?
FIA JAMES: I love the film so much because it’s all about how our memories, even the painful ones, shape who we become. It ended up mirroring the journey of the EP. I started the writing process from a place of confusion. By the end, I wasn’t trying to necessarily erase those experiences but more so wanted to make peace with them.
JUICE BOX PRESS:You collaborated with Luke Niccoli, Annie Schindel, and Corey Harper on this project. How did you all get connected, and what was it like bringing these songs to life as a team?
FIA JAMES: I feel so lucky to have worked alongside everyone. We all connected at different times, whether through my managers or just meeting people through mutuals. Every collaborator on this record is incredibly talented, and I genuinely loved being in a room with each of them. With Luke especially, it felt like we were building this world together. None of these songs would be what they are without him and the rest of the co-writers.
JUICE BOX PRESS: The music video for the title track includes several nods to the film, from the clementines to the cowboy hat. What other references did you weave into the video that fans might have missed?
FIA JAMES: There’s a ton of little easter eggs in there. Obviously the Celestine references and the outfit that I am wearing on the cover are most noticeable, but I also wanted the video to feel dreamlike, as if you’re moving through the memories. There are callbacks to other songs on the EP hidden throughout as well.
JUICE BOX PRESS: Another standout track on the EP is “batman,” which is also inspired by a film. What inspired that song?
FIA JAMES: “batman” was actually more of an inside joke that I ended up just bringing to life. Someone specifically used to call themselves the Batman, and it became this thing. As I started writing, I realized the Batman and Joker dynamic was a really interesting way to capture the push and pull of the relationship. What started as an inside joke ended up becoming one of the best metaphors on the record, which is cool.
JUICE BOX PRESS: You’ve said that creating and releasing this EP felt like “wiping the slate clean.” What did you learn about yourself during that process, and what do you hope listeners take away from the project?
FIA JAMES: I learned to trust myself and to follow my gut. I feel like I knew exactly what I wanted this record to represent, and I wasn’t afraid to make that. I also learned that some things are worth sitting on instead of rushing to get it all out. I do hope people walk away feeling understood. If these songs can help put words to feelings for some, then I’ve done my job!
JUICE BOX PRESS: Now that the EP is out in the world, what’s next for you?
FIA JAMES: Back to writing! I’m already starting to work on the next project and hoping to book more shows and opening slots for fall and winter. More than anything, I’m just excited to see where these songs take me.
Featured Photo Credit: Caity Krone
Amelia Cordischi, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Juice Box Press, is an accomplished digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in media and communications. Her work has been featured in notable publications, including The Boston Globe. A communications graduate of Simmons University in Boston, Amelia served as manager of Simmons College Radio (“The Shark”), where she also launched and co-hosted her radio show, The Find.
In addition to her editorial work, Amelia is an established freelance photographer, with bylines in Blended Magazine and CelebMix, capturing artists and cultural moments across the music and media landscape. Her career began at WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, the ABC affiliate in Boston, where she gained firsthand experience in broadcast journalism and storytelling.
When she’s not taking photos from the photo pit, interviewing emerging artists, or crafting the next Juice Box Press feature, Amelia can be found thrifting and exploring the world of sustainable fashion.