James Byous: Music, Sobriety, & Keeping Your Edge

In this powerful and unflinchingly honest conversation, musician and storyteller James Byous shares the full arc of his journey—through addiction, sobriety, bipolar disorder, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of meaning.

James opens up about the terrifying manic episode that led to transient psychosis, the therapist who helped ground him during the crisis, and the profound onstage experience that reshaped how he performs, writes, and understands himself. He talks candidly about his eight years of sobriety, the emotional myths artists believe about “losing their edge,” and the night captured on Westside (Netflix) that became his final wake-up call.

We explore Jimi Darkness, his new concept album and live show—a superhero myth built from the wreckage of his former self—and why releasing it now marks a turning point in his life. James also discusses the reality of being an artist in L.A., the heartbreak of unmet career expectations, and the unexpected grace he found in discipline, structure, and community.

A major part of our conversation centers on Rolling Sober, the men’s sober Brazilian jiu-jitsu club James founded. He explains how BJJ became a cornerstone of his recovery, offering connection, challenge, and a healthier identity than the chaos he once lived in. His reflections on masculinity, vulnerability, addiction, and artistic purpose are some of the most grounded and insightful you’ll hear.

This episode dives into: • Addiction, recovery, and what sobriety really changes (and doesn’t) • Bipolar disorder, mania, and navigating mental health with honesty • The making of Jimi Darkness and the mythology behind it • Performance, vulnerability, and the evolution of artistic identity • The truth behind the Westside experience • Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a path to growth and stability • The philosophy of songwriting and creative expression • What it means to live a meaningful, disciplined life after chaos

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, James welcomes you to reach out. Find him on Instagram at @jamesbyous, and stream his music on all major platforms, including Bandcamp where his upcoming vinyl release is available. https://jamesbyous.bandcamp.com

This is an episode about survival, clarity, transformation, and the strange luck of being alive at all. I hope you find as much value in it as I did.