Fiona Amaka Connects with Fans on the Story Behind "Cowards and Shadows"
- STAFF
- Sep 8
- 7 min read
By: Staff
Fiona Amaka delivers a hauntingly powerful masterpiece with "Cowards and Shadows," captivating and unforgettable
Fiona Amaka returns with her striking new single "Cowards and Shadows," a song that pulses with raw emotion and cinematic intensity. From the first notes, the track draws you in with gritty guitars and punchy drums that perfectly frame her hauntingly beautiful vocals, while subtle violins weave through the background, adding layers of depth and resonance. There is a magnetic tension to the song, an almost palpable sense of stories untold, that hints at both heartbreak and revelation.
We spoke with Fiona Amaka about the journey behind this evocative release. Her storytelling is immersive, turning personal experiences into a musical narrative that feels both intimate and universal. The title alone invites curiosity, conjuring images of disappearance and the echoes left behind, and the song itself explores the emotional terrain of being left in the dark, navigating the aftermath with a mix of reflection, strength, and honesty. Fiona reveals how ghosting, —a seemingly modern social phenomenon, shapes not just relationships but the ways we engage with one another, and how that very tension inspired the song’s creation.
Working with producer Andy Zanini, Fiona transformed a raw, rough version of the song into a polished, expansive soundscape, creating space for each note and emotion to breathe. Live performances of the song have already captured audiences, eliciting reactions that range from quiet introspection to shared recognition, proving just how powerful music can be as a conduit for connection.
From London’s vibrant music scene to the personal influences that shaped her voice and vision, Fiona Amaka’s approach to music is all about vulnerability and authenticity. In our conversation, she opens up about the processes, choices, and perspectives that inform her art, offering insights into the craft behind the sound and the stories that demand to be told.
For anyone drawn to music that challenges, comforts, and lingers long after the last note fades, this is an invitation to explore the world behind "Cowards and Shadows" and hear directly from the artist as she reflects on her inspirations, the creative process, and what comes next.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Fiona Amaka, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved “Cowards and Shadows.” The gritty guitars and punchy drums perfectly accentuated your beautiful vocals, while the violins in the background added emotional depth to the message. But what truly captivated us was the song’s powerful message and your incredible delivery of it. When did you first realize the power of your voice and songwriting abilities, and what moment in your life transformed it from a personal, intimate expression to a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the impactful career we see today?
A. I started writing songs at school when I was in my teens- mainly for school competitions. But I didn’t realise that I could write for different occasions until I left university and got a job in a finance company. They wanted a theme song for a charity event and I wrote a catchy song without really having to think too hard about it. After that, I found that when something really caught my attention or got under my skin, it was difficult for it NOT to end up in a song.
Q. Can you tell us how you landed on the title of “Cowards and Shadows” and was it your first choice or was it an evolution? What does this title mean to you?
A. When a person has been ghosted by a vanishing act for no obvious reason, there’s a journey you go through after all the ‘but why did that happen’ process is done. You’re forced to form your own conclusions in the absence of an explanation. Some people turn in on themselves, and feel it must be because of something they did or the person they are. Some people look at the ghoster’s behaviour and conclude that it is cowardly to act that way and that the person must have been shady deep down to start with, even though they seemed sincere. That’s where the title Cowards and Shadows comes from.
Q. You’ve referenced the topic of ghosting as something that came up frequently in everyday conversations. Were there any specific experiences or conversations or the actual experience of you being “ghosted” that prompted you to write the song?
A. Absolutely! I think people are more open than ever about talking about their experiences of being ghosted – mainly because it’s become so common. The exchange of war stories has become like group therapy!
Q. You’ve mentioned that ghosting has seeped into various areas of life, including job hunting. In your view, what does this cultural shift say about how we engage with one another in the digital age?
A. I think every generation defines their taboos. Probably in previous generations it would have been seen as shameful, or lacking in personal integrity to behave like that- especially in the space of professional recruitment. But in the present generation some people are seeing it as a valid way of communicating – i.e. by ceasing to communicate.
Q. In what ways did working with producer Andy Zanini influence the final sound of "Cowards and Shadows"? Did the collaboration push you to experiment with elements that might not have been possible otherwise?
A. It felt like I sent him a raw and rough version of the song and he turned it into something really beautiful with plenty of space.
Q. The song has been embraced by fans at your live shows. How has their response shaped the way you think about the song and its impact? Have any particular moments on stage surprised you during your performances?
A. The emotional response of people listening to the raw version of the song made me realise that I should record it. It felt like something people wanted to talk about, because they had a view about it or an experience of it. But it can be an uncomfortable topic from the perspective of the person doing the ghosting as well as the person being ghosted. People can get a bit defensive about being the ghoster - and there are lots of reasons why people can go into overload and withdraw. That's for a different song!
Q. The theme of ghosting is often associated with the emotional toll it can take on those who are left behind. How did you want the song to express that emotional complexity, both for those who are ghosted and for those who ghost others?
A. It is emotionally complex for both sides, but I wanted this song to point people towards finding ways of recovering from the emotional toll of being ghosted without turning in against themselves.
Q. You’ll be playing "Cowards and Shadows" at the Camden Weekender Festival. What does it mean to you to debut the song at such a significant event, and how do you prepare for a live performance of a song that’s so emotionally intense?
A. To me a song is just telling a story in musical form, so I try to keep in mind the story or the message I want to put across through the song.
Q. The title "Cowards and Shadows" evokes a strong visual image. What do you see in your mind’s eye when you think about the title, and how does that imagery influence the song’s sound and structure?
A. It evokes so many different images in my head! I tried to reflect some of these in the video clips I shared before the release of the song. So you see deserted houses, downward spirals, people rolling in their sleep, deep dark forests that you can’t quite find your way out of– you name it!
Q. The recording of "Cowards and Shadows" took place in London. How did the city, its atmosphere, or its music scene influence the vibe or direction of the track, if at all?
A. The London live music scene is pretty vibrant as you might expect, but I don’t think that really had a bearing or influence on the song.
Q. Since “Cowards and Shadows” speaks to a lot of emotional complexity, does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment and judgment-driven world, or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A. A big part of my music is about expressing and accepting vulnerability. Not being gagged out of talking about challenging things that happen in our lives, as though it's only permissible to talk about happy stuff. I think liberation can and does come out of honestly and positively confronting emotions rather than repressing them.
Q. Where does the magic of your music production begin? Do you kick things off in your home studio, or do you team up with an outside producer? And when it's time to wrap things up, do you handle the mixing and mastering yourself, or bring in someone to help perfect it?
A. I’ve been really lucky to work with some great producers and mixing engineers. I've worked most frequently with Andy Zanini who is also a pretty phenomenal session guitarist. Stefan Antoinette handled the mixing and brought his own flavours to the pot. They work with the raw version of the song, that I might have played at a few open mics beforehand. I’m also very lucky to have what I call a “listening panel” - people with really good ears and a feel for my music. They’re the ones who’ll tell me to re-write a verse, or repeat a hook or change a vocal approach. I really value their telling it as they see it. They know who they are!
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. It has to be my mother. She was an all-round cheerleader and motivator. In the early days of my noisy rock bands, she was always there right in the middle of it!
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing this song and reading this interview?
A. That I like to talk about emotional stuff in a move-forward kind of way. Not a lot is off limits.
Q. And finally, we can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what's next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. My new song called ‘Honesty (Psalm 139)’ is out on 02 September. It’s a folk-rock /alt-country style reflection on Psalm 139 of the Bible/Tanakh featuring the signature slide guitar of Andy Zanini.
Fiona Amaka, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Fiona Amaka’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
