Bio
Establishing himself in the North of England, Alex Izaak Milling (aged 23) has carved a unique corner into the thriving experimental improvised and DIY scene in Leeds. Specialising in electroacoustic composition, contemporary improvised music, sonic art and immersive exhibition, Milling is constantly exploring the relationship of sonic architecture and the impact it has on the relationship between the 'performer' and ‘perceiver’.
With a plethora of tools including electronics, vocals and guitar, Milling pushes the role of technology in improvised music and sonic art with the aim for complete synergy between equipment and artist.
Collaborations include working with established artists such as Mercury Prize- nominated musician James Mainwairing (RollerTrio, Tipping Point), Chris Sharkey (TrioVD, Shiver, Acoustic Ladyland), Matthew Bourne (Keeley Forsyth, Nightports) and Emil Karlsen (Bead Records, London Improvisers Orchestra) along with peers such as Hinrik Thorisson (Stykkishólmur, Iceland), Harvey Parkin- Christie (Newcastle, UK), Harry Souter (Leeds, UK), Teruki Chan (who knows) and Theo Gowans (London, UK).
Milling has been studying the Jazz BA at Leeds Conservatoire specialising on Guitar from 2021 until graduating in the summer of 2025 with a first degree honours. This helped him gain invaluable insight into what about certain musics and arts resonate with him, and is now subsequently delving into more conceptual projects such as immersive exhibitions, performance art and the process of recording improvised music that is more in line with the idiom of improvisation, rather than the norm that is adopted from more popular musics. During this time he has also gained invaluable experiences and opportunities such as playing and then subsequently joining the team that runs "Fusebox" - a longstanding jazz, improv, avant garde and experimental gig series based in Leeds that has hosted heavyweights in the improvising genre such as Maggie Nichols, Phil Minton and Ruth Goller (Skylla). He has also performed at historically significant venues such as Wharf Chambers, and Wainsgate Chapel in Yorkshire.