Neilson started to perform open mic sessions when he was 12 but didn’t start making music until he was about 18 years old.
He then started writing songs in 2022, and in 2024, BBC Introducing’s Dean Jackson selected Neilson to perform at Y Not Festival in Derbyshire.
After performing in front of thousands of people at the festival, Neilson said: “I thought that would be the breakthrough moment.
“After that I experienced the adrenaline dump reality check, and everything sort of went into a stasis.
“I found myself banging on the door of the industry and couldn’t get in.”
The year 2025 was the “questioning everything” year for the young artist.
“I think there’s a lot of gatekeeping in the industry and a lot of socioeconomic barriers, which as someone from a working class background I’ve been unable to overcome,” he said.
“If you talk to people of experience, they say it’s all about the music and songs.
“I want to know how to build an audience, what are the mechanics, what do you have to do day in, day out, how much commitment does it take?
“I was just sick of it (not getting anywhere) and I came to the conclusion that I had to do a make-or-break year where I give it 100% of what I’ve got.”