ADHD, Fatherhood and Finding Peace: James Arthur on Pisces

Having already conquered the charts and arena stages with his soul-baring anthems, James Arthur returns to FAULT Magazine with his most intimate body of work yet: Pisces. Inspired by his journey into fatherhood, his recent ADHD diagnosis, and a desire to grow past the pains of his past, Pisces marks a creative and emotional rebirth for the British singer-songwriter. Rich in brutally honest storytelling, this sixth studio album reflects a man more in tune with himself than ever before. We sat down with James to talk FAULTs, vulnerability, self-criticism, and finding catharsis in the music he never expected to make.

FAULT Magazine: Pisces is described as your most personal album yet. How did your creative process evolve while making it, and what felt different compared to your previous records?
James Arthur: The main difference whilst making this record is that I was intent on making it different from any other body of work I’ve done previously. Having such a strong concept in Pisces made that easy. I wanted it to be a dreamy-sounding album, so I used different textures of my voice that I hadn’t explored before and really poured my heart into portraying what it feels like to be a Pisces.

FAULT Magazine: “ADHD” is a deeply personal track. We often hear mental illness reframed as a strength, but songwriting can be tough for people with ADHD. Has your diagnosis made the creative process harder or unlocked new layers for you?
James Arthur: I see ADHD as a superpower when it comes to songwriting. It allows me to have hyperfocus when it comes to things I’m passionate about, and I care deeply about songwriting—so I can lock in and stay with it for long periods.

FAULT Magazine: On “Celebrate,” you reflect on those who weren’t there for you. Does writing about painful memories help you move forward, or do you worry about immortalising them in your songs?
James Arthur: No, that’s not something I fear. Songwriting is a form of therapy for me. It’s always cathartic to write about difficult things. Making myself vulnerable takes courage, and I know I’m helping others by doing that.

FAULT Magazine: The track “Friends” is a tribute to Matthew Perry. You’ve spoken about how his struggles affected you. What do you hope listeners take away from the song?
James Arthur: I hope it’s the kind of song that stops people in their tracks and makes them think about reaching out to those they haven’t spoken to in a while—and just talk more openly about mental health.

FAULT Magazine: You’ve mentioned feeling burnt out before heading into the studio for this album. What helped you push through it?
James Arthur: I like being sad when I’m writing—it allows me to tap into my emotions more easily. When I’m feeling burnt out or low, it’s actually the perfect time to write diaristically.

FAULT Magazine: How has becoming a father changed how you express vulnerability in your music?
James Arthur: Becoming a father is the biggest privilege one could have. It’s the best responsibility I’ve ever had. When fatherhood becomes your top priority, the things I used to stress about seem much smaller in comparison. It’s liberating—it removes the fear of failure.

FAULT Magazine: If you could sum up what this album represents about where you are now, how would you describe it?
James Arthur: I think Pisces represents me being unapologetically myself. I’ve reached a place where I am woven into the fabric of everything about this album, and I’m really proud of it.

FAULT Magazine: People often say they wouldn’t change their past because it shaped them. You’ve been through more than most in this industry—do you agree?
James Arthur: Yes, my experiences have led me to exactly where I’m supposed to be, and I think we should all learn to love where we’re at.

FAULT Magazine: What is your FAULT?
James Arthur: I’m not kind enough to myself. I’m my own worst critic. It’s important to have a healthy internal dialogue—because if we said some of the things we say to ourselves out loud to someone else, we’d probably get a black eye!

Check out our 2016 cover story with James Arthur