We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Phia Moore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Phia below.

Alright, Phia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My music journey began in the choir room of my middle school, singing folk and Americana under the leadership of my choir teacher and soon to be mentor, Tom Kell. This space opened up an entire new world for me that I didn’t know existed: music. As I continued my journey the 2020 Covid pandemic hit. My sophomore year of high school stripped away and loneliness set in. As a way to combat the isolation and depression, my mom signed me up for a songwriting class at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles. Guided by the teachings of Rob Seals, I engulfed myself in writing, using it as a lifeline. This is when I knew music would be my future.

As the world began to revert to some sense of “normalcy”, my mentor, Tom Tell, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2021. By 2022 I had gotten into USC’s popular music program and after two days at the school I dropped out. It wasn’t where I was meant to be.

I was drowning in grief. Depression and anxiety I had struggled with my entire life were at an all time high. There was no way out but music was a way through. I began writing and found I want to use the world’s I create through music to make people feel seen, heard, and to advocate for mental health awareness. I continued writing and the pieces fell together; Rob and I began to record my first original single, “Inside Joke.” In my time away from school Rob and I recorded what is now my debut EP, “group therapy.” A collection about mental health and grief.

Today I am a full time student attending CSULB and studying child development while also pursuing my music career ferociously. I play music with my kids at the preschool I work at, teaching them Johnny Cash, children’s music, and giving them the space to feel through music. I have had two songs in TV shows, one being a cover of IZ’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, the other being a cover of “Say Something” by A Great Big World. I play gigs all around Long Beach, LA, and the downtown Fullerton area and nothing brings me more joy. Watching people experience my music and having the chance to bring people into my world is a privilege I will never take for granted. I am currently working on my second EP with Rob Seals.

I still struggle with my mental health everyday, it’s an ongoing journey. I think about Mr. Kell, always, and miss him with every heartbeat. I am eternally thankful for Rob and I cannot wait to see all we create together, he is such a light in this world. And as I look back on it all, no matter how heavy things are, songwriting can always hold it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I make music for those who wear their aching hearts on their sleeves. When I write and create music, I strive to bring people into my world and make them feel heard and represented. I am breaking into the music industry with authenticity and honesty, making my own path. Currently we live in a world where money and social media can take you far, especially in the music industry, whether you put in the hard work or not. However I fully believe what makes a meaningful music career is authenticity and making people feel something. Because of that, I make it my intention every performance, every social media post, and every lyric, to be nothing but myself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

One of the central missions of my creative journey is mental health awareness. We live in a world where mental health is such a present issue that many times gets overlooked, romanticized, or stigmatized. I strive to normalize it and to make music that lets people know they are not alone. Depression, anxiety, grief, growing up, these are all things I felt so alone in until I started talking about them. And I realized so many others felt alone and were just too scared to say anything. SO now, I use my music and my platform to speak loudly and sing loudly about mental health and the experience of life living with mental health struggles.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Performing my songs, and watching people experience them in real time, is the most rewarding and special experience. I perform often, Playing Writer’s Rounds in Downtown Fullerton and LA (thanks to Greg Atravia) and the Night Owl in Downtown Fullerton (thanks to Rod Harris). When I perform, I love to tell stories and make people laugh. I love telling the process behind my writing, or the inspirations for my songs. Interacting with the audience is something I will never take for granted. Watching people experience my songs is like magic, it makes all the hard work, tears, and time fade away and there is nothing but joy and gratitude.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sophiamooremusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phiamooremusic?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@phiamoore?si=DcxY3yE9eUIVJVig
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@phiamooremusic?_t=8qF3Fl06p4t&_r=1

  https://open.spotify.com/artist/2prj441lm5C7srZAuamxN0?si=x1vHTvLmSau5K4yp583K8Q

Image Credits

Spencer Moore, Autumn, Lucy Bruechert