Fiona Amaka
Singer-songwriter Fiona Amaka discusses the long-awaited release of the guitar-based version of “Justified,” reflecting on its journey from live favorite to studio recording, the emotions behind the lyrics, and upcoming projects.
1. “Justified” has been a fan favorite in your live performances for quite some time. What made you decide that now was the right moment to finally release the guitar-based studio version?
I’d actually wanted to record the guitar based version of this song two years ago- shortly after releasing the cosmic version. For some reason it didn’t happen, probably because the band got our first few gig dates around that time so there was a lot of focus on band gigs, then new recordings. But it got to the point where I’d play Justified solo or with the band, and people would ask if it was on Spotify, and there would be a long explanation. It was all getting a bit silly! I needed to feel that I had recorded the version of the song that I’d set out to, so I could move on from it.
2. You previously released the ambient and meditative “Cosmic” version of the song. How does the newly released version change the listener’s experience, and what aspects of the song do you feel it highlights more effectively?
We’ve only ever played Justified with guitars live so the cosmic version was a trip into another genre – an experimental ambient sound which some of my listeners didn’t really associate with my music. I did get some quite impassioned feedback on how different it was! The newly released version reflects how the song was always intended to be. So I guess it’s closer to my ‘typical’ sound if such a thing exists!
3. The song explores themes of love and regret, emotions that many people can relate to. What inspired the lyrics, and was there a particular story or feeling that shaped the songwriting process?
I think that, after a close relationship has ended, there sometimes can be a tendency to gloss over things that pulled you apart, or to question yourself about mistakes or decisions made which you believed were forgiven at the time. So you often see people yo-yo back towards what feels safe while they’re working through the internal stuff. That’s what this song is about. I’ve been there.
4. You’ve described the track as having a throwback 2000s sound, sitting somewhere between Macy Gray and Olivia Rodrigo in vibe. Which artists or musical influences helped shape the final direction of “Justified”?
Both Macy Gray and Olivia Rodrigo are great confessional artists not just in their lyrics, but in their vocal delivery. Their songs feel like they’re letting you into their head and state of mind in a very real way. When we recorded justified, I tried to deliver the vocals in a way that reflects the anguish of mind that the song is about but without sounding too dramatic.
5. The song features contributions from Andy Zanini, Kate Proudlove, and Stefan Antoinette. How did each collaborator help bring your vision for the track to life?
Andy‘s instrumentation completely reflects the vibe of the track without words. You can hear it in the guitar riffs that curl around the vocals like smoke and almost echo them back. Kate’s influence is in the clarity of the vocals which felt pretty important after making people wait this long for the guitar version they’ve been hearing live! Stefan’s final touches add a shimmer, a layer of stardust which makes the song hold together better.
6. After such a long journey from live performances to studio release, what do you hope listeners take away from “Justified,” and what can fans expect from you next?
I hope people will enjoy the song! I’m looking at some exciting collaborations so watch this space. Me and the band will be playing some new dates after the summer so I’m pretty excited about that, and I’ll be doing a solo acoustic set at the Camden Club on 08 July!