Our Team
The Collective operates as an online zine, contributed to by a group of talented writers with a passion for the creative arts. The majority of us are students, but anyone is welcome to join the team! Many of our writers are also creatives; DJs, musicians, artists etc. Here are all of our members and how to contact them:
I’m 20, from North Devon and currently a Criminal Justice and Criminology student at the University of Leeds. I founded the Felicitas Collective in February 2017 because I was frustrated with the lack of sites that allow aspiring writers (particularly students) to contribute their work freely and without expecting a substantial time commitment, so I decided to set up my own. As Editor, I’m responsible for all decisions made about the site and I oversee everything that goes on, from checking through content to creating our zines. As a writer, I like to focus on music and art. I want to draw attention to the more obscure or underground things that people might not otherwise hear about, such as new, emerging talent, but also the almost-forgotten gems of the 50s and 60s, and older bands and artists who are still making new music. I’m particularly drawn to certain genres such as rock and roll, rockabilly and country, but I’m also interested in the current live music / DIY scene in Leeds. My favourite artists include The Cramps, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, Patti Smith, Bonnie Raitt, Cyndi Lauper, Shania Twain and Lulu.
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Najya Williams is an undergraduate at Harvard College in Cambridge, MA. She aims to pursue a career in Pediatric and Neonatal Medicine. A youth advocate and social activist, Najya has committed to participating in numerous poetry and spoken word driven events to shed light on issues present in her community that many consider taboo. Some of her Black feminist/womanist perspectives and guest blogs on race, injustice, and self care can be found on ForHarriet, We are the 94 Percent, Healing Points and several other outlets. She was recently recognized by The Harvard Foundation and The Black Men’s Forum for the work she has cultivated and continues to maintain within the Black community on Harvard’s campus. Having recently released her debut poetry chapbook, Cotton, Najya looks ahead to continue making a difference in not only her community, but the nation as a whole, one word at a time.
I’m currently a student from Australia who wants to be a musician/artist/writer/*insert creative thing here* when she grows up! Music is my main speciality - I’m super into glam, punk / postpunk, power pop, noise, etc (though I’ll listen to lots of things), and my favourite artists include David Bowie, Patti Smith, Sonic Youth, Big Star, Lou Reed, Sleater-Kinney... I perform solo myself, sometimes, too! But you can also find me coming up with convoluted Twin Peaks fan theories, reading ’60s Joan Didion novels, drawing pen-and-ink portraits of my faves, and writing long blog posts whenever I’m not caught up in homework...
I am an aspiring music journalist, eager for literally anything fresh and new in the music industry. Although I mostly listen to indie/alternative music, I don’t like to put a label on a singular type of genre I listen to too much, as I have an ear for almost anything as long as I like it. I’d like to think I write with an open mind, as I’m very interested in music and how its made and everything that comes with the development of a musician. I always intend to review (specifically underground) music with a positive note because I mostly love to share music I like so much. Something I'm also very keen on is giving upcoming bands opportunities to gain appreciation, so you can expect a lot of that from me!
Hello there, I’m Nathan and I study History at the University of Southampton. I will be writing album reviews and critiques for this site to the best of my ability. My preferred musical genres are funk, soul, folk, rock and jazz. Now I’m no expert but I know what I like, and that should make this page a little different from other sites. By only reviewing genres and artists I favour or have an interest in, I hope to avoid becoming one of those critics who review with an air of snobbery and misplaced sense of self importance. I won’t review an album I don't like because other people will like it. I have no right to criticise something I don’t understand; that’d be like a food critic reviewing a meal they’d never tasted. Music has a flavour and if you don’t like the taste then don't eat it. Did any of that make sense? No? Okay never mind, but I don’t see reviewing what I don't like as constructive. This is not to say that my reviews will be love-fests where not a bad word is spoken. Objectivity is important as that way readers can more accurately gage what they are considering listening to, or, as if often the case, get a second opinion on what they heard. After years of reading reviews on various albums I have found that fully subjective reviews to be slightly irritating, although, it’s obviously very hard not to give a gushing review of something you love. Still, I’ll try to remain as impartial as possible, in the words of Funkadelic, balance is my game.
I am an electrical engineering student at the University of Leeds with a passion for hiking and mountain biking. Most of my music taste lies in the classic rock of the 70s and 80s with the likes of Queen, Pink Floyd, Bon Jovi and many more. Always sceptical of hi-fi equipment, I became an audiophile convert when I replaced the needle of my dad’s old, dusty record player and haven’t looked back since! I also sometimes write and read fiction with an interest for thriller novels. My favourites include the Department 19 series by Will Hill and Frederick Forsyth’s work.
I am an aspiring composer and producer, studying Maths and Music at the University of Leeds, but originally from South London. I’m also a collector and lover of music and a wannabe writer, so catch my reviews and stuff here; I’ll be looking at Hip Hop, Jazz, Classical, Ambient, Experimental electronic stuff, and more.
I play guitar in a band called Juneau. I like v strong black coffee and Patti Smith. I’m into post punk, kraut and new wave but I’ll write about anything vaguely left field.
Christian hasn’t written a bio yet, but he has written a fab post on Dream Theory so check that out by clicking on his name above.
I’m currently a Journalism and English student at Salford with high hopes of becoming a professional writer and music journalist. I enjoy all things rock, whether it be from the 1970s or right now, with David Bowie and Queen being my personal favourites. I write music news, focusing mainly on rock/punk news but I do tend to dabble with other genres too. Film and books are also great passions of mine, so you can expect a few posts relating to those as well.
Professional procrastinator, dedicated musician, and avid music fan. I love listening to Neutral Milk Hotel and sipping on craft beer you’ve never heard of, analysing the metaphors in Taylor Swift lyrics, and writing overly convoluted pieces of music that never see the light of day. I live in London, and perform as a solo musician. Sometimes, I write things.
I am an aspiring writer and musician. I have a deep love of the blues but also just love listening to music that makes people smile. I’ve recently started a music blog describing how particular albums make me feel with reference to inspiring books or pieces of creative writing. I live in South London and play in an occasional covers band.
As the first American student to join the lovely people at the Felicitas Collective, and being a multi-talented individual with a deep interest in studying several fascinating foreign languages, world history, film, and the myriad forms of theatre, I feel responsible for presenting all of my unique live performance ideas in the most entertaining & most inspiring way I can. So, here I go... I am currently working on several ambitious adaptation projects, some of which will undoubtedly be alluded to here (including an incredible medievalist musical of The Hobbit combining the best aspects of every previous interpretation into a single epic musical, and a 60s-folk-inspired musical adaptation of Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea Trilogy, which hasn’t been adapted nearly as much as it deserves. I live in Portland, Oregon, a little-known but quirky American city that's almost as large as Seattle, and only a four-hour drive to the south from there (fun fact: here in Portland, we actually have an Arts Tax that everyone has to pay for the benefit & beautification of our community). Yep... That’s my world; or at least, part of it.
Guest posts by: Laura Dean, Noel Hinsley.
If you would like to join our team, please get in touch! We are always looking for more dedicated bloggers, especially those interested in writing about their local music scene, as well creatives who would like to contribute their work to our zines. No prior experience necessary; we will support you in any way we can! Click the link below to find out more!
Founder & Editor
kayleighhinsley@gmail.com
Editorial Team Member
najyatheauthor@gmail.com
Contributing Writer
adelateubner@gmail.com
I’m currently a student from Australia who wants to be a musician/artist/writer/*insert creative thing here* when she grows up! Music is my main speciality - I’m super into glam, punk / postpunk, power pop, noise, etc (though I’ll listen to lots of things), and my favourite artists include David Bowie, Patti Smith, Sonic Youth, Big Star, Lou Reed, Sleater-Kinney... I perform solo myself, sometimes, too! But you can also find me coming up with convoluted Twin Peaks fan theories, reading ’60s Joan Didion novels, drawing pen-and-ink portraits of my faves, and writing long blog posts whenever I’m not caught up in homework...
Contributing Writer
robynleecrowther@hotmail.co.uk
I am an aspiring music journalist, eager for literally anything fresh and new in the music industry. Although I mostly listen to indie/alternative music, I don’t like to put a label on a singular type of genre I listen to too much, as I have an ear for almost anything as long as I like it. I’d like to think I write with an open mind, as I’m very interested in music and how its made and everything that comes with the development of a musician. I always intend to review (specifically underground) music with a positive note because I mostly love to share music I like so much. Something I'm also very keen on is giving upcoming bands opportunities to gain appreciation, so you can expect a lot of that from me!
Contributing Writer
nathanpester@gmail.com
Hello there, I’m Nathan and I study History at the University of Southampton. I will be writing album reviews and critiques for this site to the best of my ability. My preferred musical genres are funk, soul, folk, rock and jazz. Now I’m no expert but I know what I like, and that should make this page a little different from other sites. By only reviewing genres and artists I favour or have an interest in, I hope to avoid becoming one of those critics who review with an air of snobbery and misplaced sense of self importance. I won’t review an album I don't like because other people will like it. I have no right to criticise something I don’t understand; that’d be like a food critic reviewing a meal they’d never tasted. Music has a flavour and if you don’t like the taste then don't eat it. Did any of that make sense? No? Okay never mind, but I don’t see reviewing what I don't like as constructive. This is not to say that my reviews will be love-fests where not a bad word is spoken. Objectivity is important as that way readers can more accurately gage what they are considering listening to, or, as if often the case, get a second opinion on what they heard. After years of reading reviews on various albums I have found that fully subjective reviews to be slightly irritating, although, it’s obviously very hard not to give a gushing review of something you love. Still, I’ll try to remain as impartial as possible, in the words of Funkadelic, balance is my game.
Contributing Writer
andrew7.peter@gmail.com
FB Andrew Roy
Contributing Writer
wilfamis@yahoo.co.uk
IG @wilfamis
I am an aspiring composer and producer, studying Maths and Music at the University of Leeds, but originally from South London. I’m also a collector and lover of music and a wannabe writer, so catch my reviews and stuff here; I’ll be looking at Hip Hop, Jazz, Classical, Ambient, Experimental electronic stuff, and more.
Contributing Writer
shazstapleton@hotmail.co.uk
T @shazstapleton | IG @shaunurgh
I play guitar in a band called Juneau. I like v strong black coffee and Patti Smith. I’m into post punk, kraut and new wave but I’ll write about anything vaguely left field.
Contributing Writer
Christian hasn’t written a bio yet, but he has written a fab post on Dream Theory so check that out by clicking on his name above.
Contributing Writer
kirsty.poynton@yahoo.co.uk
I’m currently a Journalism and English student at Salford with high hopes of becoming a professional writer and music journalist. I enjoy all things rock, whether it be from the 1970s or right now, with David Bowie and Queen being my personal favourites. I write music news, focusing mainly on rock/punk news but I do tend to dabble with other genres too. Film and books are also great passions of mine, so you can expect a few posts relating to those as well.
Contributing Writer
thomaswgmcnabb@gmail.com
Professional procrastinator, dedicated musician, and avid music fan. I love listening to Neutral Milk Hotel and sipping on craft beer you’ve never heard of, analysing the metaphors in Taylor Swift lyrics, and writing overly convoluted pieces of music that never see the light of day. I live in London, and perform as a solo musician. Sometimes, I write things.
Contributing Writer
osianpowell@hotmail.com
I am an aspiring writer and musician. I have a deep love of the blues but also just love listening to music that makes people smile. I’ve recently started a music blog describing how particular albums make me feel with reference to inspiring books or pieces of creative writing. I live in South London and play in an occasional covers band.
Creative
worldbridgecreations@gmail.com
As the first American student to join the lovely people at the Felicitas Collective, and being a multi-talented individual with a deep interest in studying several fascinating foreign languages, world history, film, and the myriad forms of theatre, I feel responsible for presenting all of my unique live performance ideas in the most entertaining & most inspiring way I can. So, here I go... I am currently working on several ambitious adaptation projects, some of which will undoubtedly be alluded to here (including an incredible medievalist musical of The Hobbit combining the best aspects of every previous interpretation into a single epic musical, and a 60s-folk-inspired musical adaptation of Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea Trilogy, which hasn’t been adapted nearly as much as it deserves. I live in Portland, Oregon, a little-known but quirky American city that's almost as large as Seattle, and only a four-hour drive to the south from there (fun fact: here in Portland, we actually have an Arts Tax that everyone has to pay for the benefit & beautification of our community). Yep... That’s my world; or at least, part of it.
Guest posts by: Laura Dean, Noel Hinsley.
If you would like to join our team, please get in touch! We are always looking for more dedicated bloggers, especially those interested in writing about their local music scene, as well creatives who would like to contribute their work to our zines. No prior experience necessary; we will support you in any way we can! Click the link below to find out more!
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