Alex Rex & Lavinia Blackwall

Alex Rex, the project of acclaimed musician and former Trembling Bells bandleader Alex Neilson, is set to release his fourth and final studio album, The National Trust, on March 28th. Written in the wake of
the sudden death of his younger brother, Alastair, the album is a poignant reflection on loss, love, and renewal, deeply rooted in the landscape of Carbeth—a cabin community in the Scottish countryside that Alastair called home. For Neilson, the cabin became both a physical and emotional project, a symbol of
restoration and reconnection.
Longtime collaborators Lavinia Blackwall, Marco Rea, and Rory Haye return, alongside guest musicians like Jill O’Sullivan (Jill Lorean) and Trembling Bells guitarist Mike Hastings, to bring Neilson’s vision to life. The result is a deeply personal and multifaceted work, blending acid wit with haunting introspection.

With The National Trust, Neilson closes a significant chapter of his career, blending masterful musicianship with deeply personal storytelling. Known for his collaborations with artists such as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Shirley Collins, and Current 93, as well as his decade-long tenure leading the psych-folk
outfit Trembling Bells, Neilson has long been celebrated for his eclectic and uncompromising vision. This final album serves as a fitting culmination of his journey as Alex Rex, capturing the essence of his artistry
while offering a profound exploration of loss, renewal, and the enduring power of love. 

The National Trust will be released on March 28th via The Barne Society.

“Superb” The Times
“Irreverent and playful” MOJO
“...an utterly distinctive, mental world.” The Financial Times

“There’s a buoyancy to even the most lacerating lines now, a liberating relief in pressing on”
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Lavinia Blackwall -
Lavinia, known for her spellbinding voice and lush, melodic arrangements, blends folk, psychedelia, and baroque pop into something truly captivating.
Lavinia trained as a singer at R.S.A.M.D Glasgow before going on to complete her Masters in Early Music with distinction at The Guildhall, London.
Lavinia is well known for her work as a singer and arranger in Trembling Bells ("as befits any folk rock band worth its salt, Trembling Bells also boast a golden-throated, multi-instrumentalist songbird in Lavinia Blackwall") , who released seven albums, all met with critical acclaim. She has performed and toured extensively through Europe with artists such as Nick Garrie, Kaleidoscope, Mike Heron and Bonnie Prince Billy, as well as being invited to perform her own material live on several occasions at BBC 6Music and at Glastonbury Festival.

 

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