Alex Taylor

Alex Taylor was born in 1977, in Gloucestershire UK. His family emigrated to Australia in 1989 and settled in Mooloolah, Qld. Alex went to school at Caloundra High, and in 1995 enrolled at the University of Southern Queensland to study classical violin where he graduated with a BMus in classical music specialising in performance in 1997. After completing his undergraduate degree he moved to the UK and started performing with theatrical groups and small bands in Stroud. During this period the focus of the music shifted from the traditional classical repertoire to gypsy, folk and jazz improvisation. In 2002 Alex moved back to Australia to complete his post-graduate degree at USQ with internationally acclaimed violinist Andrew Lorenz. The degree specialised in performance and for the final year assessment Alex performed the Mendellsohn Violin Concerto with a full orchestra, as well as the Cesar Franck violin sonata, which was well received by critics, and allowed him to graduate with Honours in the same year. Alex moved to Melbourne in 2003 and was able to work with artists such as Wendy Rule, Mushroom Giant and The Boy Who Spoke Clouds. Alex also started to develop his passion for combining electronic music with improvised gypsy violin, fronting his first band, Alex Taylor and the Evil Eye, with Simon Quinn (keyboards and electronic production). Alex Taylor and the Evil Eye enjoyed a certain cult success in the Melbourne underground arts scene, due in part to the relationship they enjoyed with the ABODE club in St Kilda, who gave them a lavish venue for photoshoots and employed them for a year-long musical residency. During this time they also worked with members of a tribal belly-dance group to create a more dynamic live show. In 2008 Alex moved to the UK once more, and started working as a violin teacher, as well as playing with many interesting bands such as Inkubus Sukkubus and Dandelion Wine. He was able to perform for the Mėnuo Juodaragis pagan metal fesival in Zarasai, Lithuania. A year later Alex returned to Eastern Europe, this time to Latvia where he did a series of performances with his new band, Innamorati, formed with well-known Bristol DJ and producer, Bertie Bass-Hits. Innamorati was a self-styled 'gypsy dubstep' band. Over time Innamorati enjoyed a modest success and their song 'Clownie' was picked for release with a major dubstep label GENERATION BASS for inclusion in their compilation album. Since moving to Bristol in 2012, Alex has formed his own band, SALVONIA, and has performed with many other groups. He is currently playing for Kizzy Morrell; folk band Kan Koth; and Molly Samson And The Cautionary Tales, as well as playing gypsy jazz for The Sweet And The Lowdowns and gypsy folk for The Jackalopes. Alex has also provided the violin score for upcoming TV show 'Spotless' with Drew Morgan and Neil Davidge (Massive Attack).