Caroline Taylor © Alia Thomas 2025 | www.aliathomas.com | Please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Soprano, Caroline Taylor

Alia Smallwood Thomas May 21, 2025

Classical music is a part of the music world that I have always known very little about, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the audience of this project was the same. That’s just one of the reasons why I’m so pleased, and grateful, to have spoken with Caroline Taylor, an incredibly talented Soprano (and actor) who also happens to be an old school friend, about her experience of this quite extraordinary part of it. We discuss her re-directed route into the world of music, navigating life as a freelance Soprano, and what she truly loves about her job. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did chatting about it with Caroline.

© All images copyright of Alia Thomas, 2025 | www.aliathomas.com - please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Ugly Ozo

Alia Smallwood Thomas May 1, 2025

It’s been a little while since I’ve shared a conversation from this project, but I’m so happy to be able to come back and share this next one with you. Last month I spoke with Jess Baker, also known as Ugly Ozo - a young and exciting up-and-coming artist from the Isle of Wight. Jess is a session musician and artist in her own right. I met Jess last year at Isle of Wight Festival and have worked with her a few times since, and having seen her tour as far as Australia already by the prime age of 24, she’s experienced things that some would only dream of. We speak quite a bit about touring, but also about the struggles of peformance anxiety and self-doubt, and how she’s pushed past these fears and become the artist you see here today.

All Images Copyright of Alia Thomas © Please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Lani Hopuare

Alia Smallwood Thomas January 15, 2025

I’m pleased to share the next conversation in this project, this time with the lovely Southampton-based vocalist, Lani Hopuare. Lani gives some insights into what it’s like being in more than one band, as well as, quite impotantly, what it’s like to be in a band when you’re a parent, and more specifically, a mother. Click to read the full conversation.

© Alia Thomas | www.aliathomas.com - please do not use without permission

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Sam and Rachel of Memory Palace

Alia Smallwood Thomas July 10, 2024

When I started this project at the beginning of the year, I wasn’t sure how it would go. I wasn’t even sure I’d get anyone interested in being involved, but it’s been such a positive thing for me to do and I’ve loved it all, not only being able to do more of what I love, but it’s enabled me to meet and chat with some incredible humans who have some really important things to say. This week, I’m very pleased to share my conversation with Sam and Rach from Memory Palace, a band hailing from South Wales and Bristol.

UNMUTED: A Conversation With Omam Dawn

Alia Smallwood Thomas May 7, 2024

At the end of February I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Amy, a truly beautiful soul, from Hampshire. Having lived and worked as a musician in London and now back in Gosport, we discuss the differences between the two places for musicians, and what may be necessary to encourage young women to go into different roles within the music industry.