• HOME
  • LIVE MUSIC
  • PORTRAITS
  • VIDEO
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • UNMUTED
Menu

Alia Thomas

  • HOME
  • LIVE MUSIC
  • PORTRAITS
  • VIDEO
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • UNMUTED
×

Sophie Smith (Hamartia/Headstrong PR), 2025 © Alia Thomas, www.aliathomas.com - please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Sophie Smith

Alia Smallwood Thomas December 1, 2025

Sophie Smith is the powerhouse front-woman of Bristol’s alt-rock band Hamartia, but she doesn’t just stop there. She’s also the co-founder of Headstrong PR, where she pours just as much passion into lifting up other artists as she does into her own music, and if that wasn’t enough, she also hosts Changing Tune on Chaos Radio - a show dedicated to spotlighting women, trans, and non-binary musicians who deserve way more recognition than they often get. What’s so inspiring about Sophie is the way she uses every platform she has to make the music scene more open, more supportive, and more inclusive. She’s not just talking about change; she’s actively creating it, and there’s a lot we can learn from the sincerity, drive, and genuine care she brings to everything she does. In this conversation, we talk a lot about inclusivity within music, Sophie’s understanding of the different versions of ourselves that all need to be nurtured and embraced, and why Hayley Williams is such an important voice in the industry right now.

Read More
In UNMUTED, UNMUTED: Women In Music, Portraiture, Photojournalism Tags Sophie Smith, Hamartia, UNMUTED, Women in Music, Alia Thomas, Alia Thomas Photography
Comment

Eva Sheldrake, 2025 © Alia Thomas - do you use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Eva Sheldrake

Alia Smallwood Thomas October 15, 2025

Eva Sheldrake is the lead singer, and female powerhouse of Brighton-based band, Eville. The trio have made quite a noise in the metal and alternative music scene over the last year with their self-proclaimed ‘brat metal’ sounds, and with their upcoming EP out on Friday, it’s clear they won’t be quietening down anytime soon. I caught up with Eva to talk about everything from the workings of an independant band, to her loud support for needing more women in metal, let alone the music industry. Her fearless nature to not shy away from speaking out on what’s important, and advocating for women to dress how they want to on stage is honourable, and a great portrayal of what the next generation of artists are bringing to the table.

Read More
In Photojournalism, UNMUTED, UNMUTED: Women In Music Tags Eva Sheldrake, Eville, UNMUTED, Women In Music, Portrait Photography, Photojournalism, Music Interview, Music Industry
Comment

Jess Douek - Mallavora, 2025 © Alia Thomas, please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Jessica Douek of Mallavora

Alia Smallwood Thomas September 10, 2025

If you haven’t yet heard of Mallavora already, you would have done soon enough without reading this. The Bristol-based powerhouse alt-metal band have been on nothing but a steep upward trajectory over the last couple of years, and leading them from the front is their brilliant vocalist, and accessibility advocate, Jessica Douek. The importance of inclusivity in music is incredibly high, not only to Jess, but to the band overall, and this is something that we discuss quite a bit in this conversation. It’s without a doubt that I say you will take something away from this conversation that will in turn make you think a little more about the inclusivity of the spaces you’re in, but also with this is a huge respect for the determination that comes from the band on doing what’s right for them and their fans, and not being afraid to speak out on such important matters through their music. Enjoy.

Read More
In Portraiture, UNMUTED, Women In Music, Studio Photography, Photojournalism Tags Jessica Douek, Mallavora, UNMUTED, Women In Music, Accessibility in Music, Inclusivity, Accessibility advocate, Alia Thomas
Comment

Search Posts

Featured Posts

Featured
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Sophie Smith
Dec 1, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Sophie Smith
Dec 1, 2025
Dec 1, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Alyx Holcombe
Nov 12, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Alyx Holcombe
Nov 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Eva Sheldrake
Oct 15, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Eva Sheldrake
Oct 15, 2025
Oct 15, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Lucy Rachel
Sep 29, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Lucy Rachel
Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Jessica Douek of Mallavora
Sep 10, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Jessica Douek of Mallavora
Sep 10, 2025
Sep 10, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Soprano, Caroline Taylor
May 21, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Soprano, Caroline Taylor
May 21, 2025
May 21, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Ugly Ozo
May 1, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Ugly Ozo
May 1, 2025
May 1, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Lani Hopuare
Jan 15, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Lani Hopuare
Jan 15, 2025
Jan 15, 2025
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Gemma Edwards
Sep 23, 2024
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Gemma Edwards
Sep 23, 2024
Sep 23, 2024
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Sam and Rachel of Memory Palace
Jul 10, 2024
UNMUTED: A Conversation with Sam and Rachel of Memory Palace
Jul 10, 2024
Jul 10, 2024

Powered by Squarespace