Alex Neilson (Alex Rex)

Alex Neilson (Alex Rex) is a composer, songwriter and musician specialising in experimental folk and psychedelic music. Since moving to Glasgow in 2001, he has been a key figure in the city’s music scene, performing as a drummer with artists including Alasdair Roberts, Stevie Jackson and Richard Youngs. 

Known for his expressive and expansive drumming, Neilson has toured internationally with artists such as Bonnie ​“Prince” Billy, Shirley Collins, Jandek, Current 93, Baby Dee, and The Unthanks. His work spans free jazz, traditional folk, psych rock, poetry and collaborations with dancers and live painters. 

Although primarily a drummer, Neilson began songwriting in 2010, founding Trembling Bells and Crying Lion, and releasing solo work as Alex Rex. His debut album Carbeth earned a nomination for the Arts Foundation Folk Award in 2011, and The Sovereign Self (2016) was named a BBC 6 Music and Guardian Album of the Year. 

Beyond music, Neilson has collaborated with dancers, poets, actors and film makers across Europe. He has performed in several plays including the Gaelic language play Briseadh na Cloiche, helped devise a production of Agamemnon and an adaptation of Orpheus and Euridice in which he also helped compose the music. As an improviser, Neilson has performed with Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Kan Mikami, Evan Parker, Keith Rowe, Fred Frith and Shabaka Hutchings. 

Neilson has also written for Wire, Record Collector, The List, and Shindig!, specialising in experimental folk. In 2022, he released his debut poetry album Mouthful of Earth on Neolithic Recordings. His latest Alex Rex album, National Trust, was released in March 2025 on Barne Society. In 2026 he will release his first book of short stories – Humiliation Songs – on Perfect Angel Press.