GET TO KNOW: Isaac Neilson

Nottingham singer-songwriter Isaac Neilson is proving just how far determination can take an independent artist. In the middle of an extraordinary challenge to perform a gig every single day throughout 2026, Neilson returns with 'Getting Better', a deeply personal new single that captures the uneasy space between self-doubt and optimism, and the strange feeling of watching life finally begin to move in the right direction.

Produced by Tayte Nickols and recorded at ARC Studios with Matt Taylor, the track pairs vulnerable storytelling with soaring indie ambition, marking what Isaac describes as his most exposed and emotionally honest release to date.

So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and influences over the years.

What was the first band or artist you fell in love with? 

AC/DC. Angus young is the reason I picked up a guitar, and the reason I longed for an SG. 

Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like? 

No, no one my age was on the same page with me about bands. I started going to open mics when I was 12 and that’s how I got my start. 

What has been your primary inspiration in writing music? 

Life? I write what I know, my experiences, observations, and what I’m curious to explore. 

What is a song you wish you had written yourself? 

Good News, Mac Miller. It’s the first time I heard a song which felt like someone pulled ideas out of my head which I lacked the articulation to express. Like a lorry. 

If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be? 

There isn’t. I’m focused on what’s ahead, not reliving the past. 

Which artist would you most love to share a stage with? 

Radiohead. My favourite band of all time. I haven’t quite earned that yet though. 

And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well? 

Clario, I think that would be an interesting juxtaposition. 

Where do you see yourself in five years time? 

Most likely in mirrors, and the reflections of bodies of water. I’m not a fan of selfies. 

Isaac Neilson's new single 'Getting Better' is out now. Check it out below.