Claudia Kate, UNMUTED, 2026 © Alia Thomas | www.aliathomas.com | Please do not use without permission or share without credit.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Claudia Kate

Alia Smallwood Thomas June 3, 2026

Claudia Kate is very much what you might call, a girls-girl. Following in the footsteps of her influences, she’s a big advocate for women’s rights and speaks honestly about what’s it’s like for women in the world that she finds herself in. In her professional career so far, she’s already been likened to artists such as Kate Nash and Wolf Alice, and her song BIG TALK, Little Girl gained a lot of popularity in 2022 when she was just 23, talking about the political environment around the time and life growing up as a young woman in that environment. If you want real, raw, honest songwriting, Claudia gives you just that. But, she has more than just the experience as an artist herself as she’s also a merch seller for a popular British band, and a guitar teacher to the younger generation of musicians, and has very recently been on her first tour supporting a band she grew up listening to. She shares insights into the reality of the cost of touring as a supporting independent upcoming artist, life on the road as a merch seller with the Hoosiers, and the special connection that music has within her family. Claudia’s passion and fun-loving personality shines through as she speaks about the roles she plays in the industry. Don’t be surprised if by the end of this, you find yourself part of the ‘Claudia Kate Cult’ too.

Jess Dyer (left) & Dani Hewitt (right) of The Fan GRRRLS Podcast **© Alia Thomas | UNMUTED** - www.aliathomas.com - do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Dani Hewitt & Jess Dyer of The Fan GRRRLS Podcast

Alia Smallwood Thomas May 6, 2026

Dani Hewitt and Jess Dyer have a lot going on. They’re lecturers in music, both carrying out PhDs alongside it, and they are the founders of The Fan GRRRLS Podcast. Within this series, we’ve so far heard from those in the industry who are in the thick of it on stage, touring, making music, but Dani and Jess are in a completely different part of the industry. In another life, they were part of that world, but their careers took them on a different path where they’re now educating the next generation of this incredible industry. I’m so pleased to have Dani and Jess involved in UNMUTED because what we talk about in this conversation is from a completely different point of view to what we’ve heard so far. We speak a lot about the backbone of the music industry; the people who carry artists to their success, and what the industry depend on to keep it all going. The fans. We also touch upon Dani’s previous experiences making her way in the industry doing varying roles ending with being part of touring crew, and Jess’ experience as a musician herself, and what led them to changing their careers into education. We’re all a fan of something, so there will be a lot in here that people can relate to, but not only this, the knowledge and passion that Dani and Jess have on the topic of fandoms and the importance of the fans is inspiring, and you will no doubt learn something very interesting from this. So, take a break, grab a cuppa, and enjoy.

Jessie Powell, Dream State, 2026 **© Alia Thomas** | Please do not use without permission. www.aliathomas.com

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Jessie Powell

Alia Smallwood Thomas April 8, 2026

Jessie Powell is best known as the frontwoman of British metal band Dream State but her journey in music stretches far beyond her current spotlight. From her early days in Aurora to her present role at the forefront of modern British metal, she’s experienced the industry across two distinct eras, witnessing firsthand how it has evolved behind the scenes. Entering the scene as a young woman nearly 15 years ago, Jessie navigated a landscape that looked rather different to today’s, particularly within metal. That perspective now shapes everything she does. Through her work with Jessie Powell Music, she channels her experience into mentoring musicians, sharing not just her craft as a vocalist, but a hard-earned understanding of the industry itself.

Cherry Duesbury, 2026 © Alia Thomas - www.aliathomas.com - please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Cherry Duesbury

Alia Smallwood Thomas March 16, 2026

As the voice of British metal band, Defences, Cherry Duesbury has helped carve out a space in the UK’s modern metal scene for woman of colour. On stage, she’s a force to be reckoned with. Offstage, there’s an openness and sharp self-awareness that makes her just as compelling to talk to as she is to watch perform. It was a pleasure to sit down with her and talk about her journey so far, the realities of building a career in metal as a woman of colour, and the person behind the powerful voice.

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.

Alyx Holcombe **© Alia Thomas, 2025** - please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Alyx Holcombe

Alia Smallwood Thomas November 12, 2025

If you’re a rock or metal fan in the UK, chances are you’ve already come across the unstoppable Alyx Holcombe. As the voice behind BBC Radio 1’s Introducing Rock, Alyx has become a vital champion for new and emerging talent, spotlighting the next generation of rock, indie and alternative artists. Beyond the airwaves, she’s the driving force behind MANTRA, an alt club night that celebrates inclusivity and community, giving fresh acts a stage and fans a space to connect in a safe, welcoming environment. But Alyx’s impact is much more important than the impressive career she’s had already. She represents a new wave of women reshaping the music industry from within. As a woman of colour in a space still dominated by white, male voices, her journey highlights both the passion and persistence it takes to carve out space for yourself, and for others, in an industry that too often overlooks them. In our conversation, Alyx opens up about championing new artists, building inclusive platforms, and navigating the challenges that come with breaking barriers in music.

Lucy Rachel, 2025 © Alia Thomas, please do not use without permission.

UNMUTED: A Conversation with Lucy Rachel

Alia Smallwood Thomas September 29, 2025

Community is incredibly important for the human race, and no-one knows that better than Lucy Rachel from Southampton, who has based her career around creating community through music. She’s not only a talented singer-songwriter, but she’s also a music facilitator by profession, and the founder of Southampton jam night, The Dewdropper Jam. The connection throughout all of her work is using music as a tool for helping others, and bringing people together with it. We talk a lot about the importance of community, and the use of music as a tool, for improving mental health as well as communication for those who need additional help.

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.