P&P Spotlight: Phia Moore

For Phia, music is not just a release; it’s a means to connect, to heal, and to inspire. Her latest single “Loose Ends” began as a simple phrase in her notebook, but evolved into a track for anyone who’s ever struggled to establish boundaries or process emotional turbulence. Capturing the frustration, heartache, and strength of navigating complicated relationships, “Loose Ends” takes a raw, honest look into reclaiming one’s power. 

Phia’s creative process is deeply personal. She writes on her bedroom floor, allowing lyrics and melody to blend naturally. She works closely with her producer to bring even the smallest ideas to life — whether that’s a subtle trumpet solo or intentional vocal phrasing. Away from the studio, she continues to explore her passions in child development and mental health advocacy, combining her personal experiences with the empathy and insight that shape her songwriting. Playlists & Polaroids is thrilled to follow along on this next chapter of Phia’s journey, and we’re confident that this is just the beginning. Keep reading for our full conversation with her!

Image credit: Samantha Navarro, graphic created by Karly Ramnani

YOU'LL LOVE PHIA MOORE IF YOU LISTEN TO: Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, Noah Cyrus, Clairo, Taylor Swift, The Chicks, Olivia Rodrigo, Leith Ross

How would you describe your sound to someone who's just discovering it?

I think I write songs for the people who wear their hearts on their sleeves but also kind of feel like a mess inside, even though they’re good at pretending they’ve got it all together. I like to create what I call different worlds with my music, places where people can step into and really feel something. My hope is that when people listen, they feel heard and know they’re not alone. 

I also hope [people] leave with a sense of camaraderie, like the songs opened a door for them to process or experience something they had not before. If the music can spark that kind of reflection and connection, then I feel like it has done its job. I always have to warn people, though - it’s not really happy stuff.

You started writing during the pandemic. What about that time made you start writing?

It wasn’t really all me; it was my mom’s idea. I was 16 and she told me I needed a hobby. I had always loved singing and playing guitar, and I had written a little bit in middle school, but honestly, middle school songwriting is exactly what you would expect. My mom found the Songwriting School of Los Angeles, which had just switched to Zoom classes because of the pandemic. Since I live in Long Beach and the school is in Burbank, it worked out perfectly. I was so scared at first. There were people in the class who had been writing songs for years. But I stuck with it, and I am still friends with those people today. The teacher from that class ended up becoming my producer. Honestly, I am really glad my mom pushed me to try it because it gave me something creative to focus on during a tough time.

How has your approach to vulnerability changed since you started sharing your music publicly?

When I first started, I wanted to be the mysterious type of person, where nobody really knew what was going on in my life. But then I decided to be a songwriter, and I ruined that plan for myself because I am not mysterious at all. I am an open book, and I have come to realize that is simply who I am. Over time I learned that it is okay to be that way. I do not like to hold things close to my chest, and songwriting has given me the freedom to embrace that part of myself.

How has music helped you process grief and mental health struggles? And how has that shaped your writing voice?

I am someone who lives in my own head constantly. I overthink about overthinking, and it can be exhausting. Songwriting became a way to take all of that swirling around inside and put it somewhere else. It let me process things in a way that was external instead of just sitting alone with them. For a long time, I never spoke about mental health. It felt too stigmatized. People are fine with the idea of you struggling as long as you still look like you have it all together and do not make anyone uncomfortable. But when it is real and messy, the world gets quiet. That changed for me in high school when I joined the mental health club. The president at the time was so open about her own struggles, and I thought that was incredible. It inspired me to start being open too, even when it felt scary. Every time I do talk about it, the response is almost always, “I feel the same way” or “I know someone who does.” It made me realize I was never the only one, even though for years I believed I was.

Therapy has been a part of my life since I was nine. My parents made it normal for me. It was not a last resort or something shameful — it was just something you do to take care of yourself, the same way other people go to the gym or read a book to unwind. That early experience made me passionate about making therapy accessible to everyone. I truly believe mental health services should be for everybody, always. Songwriting is my way of carrying that belief into my music. If even one person hears a song and feels less alone in their struggles, then I am doing exactly what I am meant to do.

Image credit: Kay Pham-Nguyen

You’re also studying child development at CSULB — how does that influence your music, if at all?

I think it definitely does. A child development degree is basically a psychology degree focused on children and families, and that has really shaped how I see the world. I think kids are the coolest people. They are completely in touch with the magic we all start out with but forget how to access as we get older. Their imaginations are wild, their creativity is endless, and they genuinely do not care what anyone thinks. They just exist. That kind of freedom is something I try to carry into my own life.

Learning about child development from an academic perspective reinforces that for me. Plus, I actually love school. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to go, so I want to make the most of it. Singing and songwriting will always be my everything, and I am doing everything I can to make that my main career. But I also think it is okay to have more than one passion. I am equally passionate about mental health and mental health advocacy. Eventually, I want to get my master’s degree so I can work as a therapist, maybe even in music therapy or in a hospital with kids who have serious illnesses. School has widened my perspective and, in turn, my songwriting. It gives me more to pull from, more ways to see the world, and more ways to tell stories.

Let's talk about “Loose Ends.” What inspired it? Was there a specific moment or conversation that sparked the idea for this song? 

I feel like “Loose Ends” has a different flavor than what I’ve done before. It’s more frustrated and raw, which isn’t something I usually lean into. I don’t really see myself as an angry person, but I think everyone carries some anger and most of us just don’t know where to put it. For me, songwriting is the healthy place to release it.

The song is about those people in your life that you love deeply, but who also hurt you the most. Letting them go doesn’t always solve the problem, and holding on isn’t healthy either. It’s about figuring out where they fit in your life and what kind of distance you need so you can still have peace. I think a lot of people will connect with it, even though I wish they didn’t have to. I don’t want anyone to go through those experiences, but I know so many of us do. That’s why I write about it—because it’s something we should talk about more. I think it’s something a lot of people, especially women, struggle with. We’re often put in situations we don’t want to be in, and when we push back, it can get labeled as rude or bossy. But it’s not. It’s just recognizing that you are just as important as anyone else.

What was something that surprised you about how this song turned out?

I do not think I have synesthesia, but I sometimes get colors and feelings attached to songs that I cannot really describe. For this one, I wanted the bridge to feel almost like a soldier’s march, something that carried the weight and rhythm of a war song. When my producer Rob suggested bringing in a trumpet, I listened back and thought, that was exactly what I wanted even though I had no idea until I heard it. It was one of those moments where the song revealed itself in a way I could not have planned.

If “Loose Ends” had a mood board or visual aesthetic, what would it include?

I think of it as almost a war song, like an anthem. Visually, I imagine a trumpet somewhere in the mix, and the colors would lean toward muted greens and beige, almost like armor or camouflage. But then there would also be these raw, open-heart visuals—deep reds and purples that feel like wounds. To me, that represents the ache on the other side of putting up a boundary. You know it hurts and your heart is bleeding, but you still do it because it’s the right thing for you. So the mood board would be a balance between strength and vulnerability, something that shows both the toughness of standing your ground and the pain that comes with it. 

What's the best thing that someone's ever said to you about one of your songs?

When I was sharing the demos for this EP with a close friend I had not seen in a long time, something really special happened. It was not even about what she said at first, but the way she looked at me as she listened. In that moment I could tell she understood exactly what I was trying to say through the music. Then she told me, “You are supposed to do this,” and hearing that from someone whose opinion I deeply value meant so much. Watching her experience the songs I had created felt unforgettable. It reminded me why I do this in the first place. Those moments of connection, where someone truly gets what I am trying to express, are my “why.” That is what keeps me creating.

Image credit: Kay Pham-Nguyen

Do you have a favorite memory from performing live?

One of my favorite memories is actually from my most recent show. It was the first ticketed show I’ve ever done, and it was so much fun. My grandma came, which was really special because she hadn’t seen me perform since I was 18. She was just completely mind blown the whole time and kept texting me afterward about how much she loved it. That made me so happy, just being able to share that part of my life with her. 

What's something you've learned about yourself from performing that you didn't expect?

I found out that I am actually fine with public speaking. It is funny because I am the type of person who does not want to order at a restaurant, yet put me on stage and I am completely okay with talking and doing my little bit. Somewhere along the way, I realized I actually enjoy it. I like the interaction, the banter, and the chance to connect with people in the moment.

If you told middle school me that I would one day find this fun, I would have laughed and said there was no chance. But now I see it as something lighthearted and silly, and it feels like so much less pressure once you decide there does not have to be any. That shift surprised me, and I think it showed me that I am more comfortable with being in front of people than I ever imagined.

What's next for you? New music? Any shows?

The full EP [that includes “Loose Ends”] hasn’t been officially announced yet, but I like to drop little hints here and there. I’ll mention things randomly, and if people are in the know, they’ll catch it. I’m aiming for a fall release for the EP.

I’m also getting ready for a special live show on August 24th that will double as a fundraiser. I met a young boy named Kai at the preschool where I work, and he’s fighting brain cancer. The event will have music, raffle items, and other incredible artists performing. I just want to use my music to do something good. The childhood cancer community deserves love and attention, and if I can help even a little, I want to. I’ll also be opening for Ally Bakst in Long Beach on September 19th. I haven’t met her yet, but I’m really excited because her music is so different from mine, and it’s inspiring to listen to. 

Finally, the P&P classic! What's a lyric from “Loose Ends” that stands out to you? Walk us through the process of writing it and how it speaks to you personally.

The lyric that really stands out to me is the opening line “I had to learn how to tie a tight knot because all you do is leave me with loose ends.” That line is actually what started the whole song. Sometimes I just get a phrase in my head, and that was one of those moments where it came to me fully formed.

That line became the framework for the rest of the song. It captures the idea of trying to make sense of a messy, complicated situation and attempting to find peace despite all the confusion. Everything else in the song grew from that feeling of being left with loose ends and trying to put the pieces back together. It’s such a personal lyric for me because it reflects both my experiences and my journey in learning how to set boundaries and reclaim my own space.

Image credit: Kay Pham-Nguyen

“Loose Ends” is the type of song that lingers long after it ends. Phia’s willingness to write with such openness renders her music easy to hold onto and harder to forget. We can’t wait to hear where her one-of-a-kind artistry takes her next. Until then, we’ll be listening to “Loose Ends” on repeat, and we know you will too. Here’s a playlist we’ve curated to capture her vibe!