Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, a founding guitarist of the acclaimed London post-punk band Black Midi, has died. He was 26.
In assertion from the guitarist’s household, posted by band’s label Tough Commerce on Monday, they mentioned, “It’s with deep disappointment that we as a household remorse to tell you that Matthew Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died after a protracted battle together with his psychological well being. A gifted musician and a sort, loving younger man lastly succumbed; regardless of all efforts.”
Kwasniewski-Kelvin met his Black Midi bandmates as a teen on the London performing arts academy BRIT College. The band carried out alongside a unfastened crew of like-minded acts like Black Nation, New Street, Disgrace and Squid who have been experimenting with noise, free jazz and textured art-rock, centered across the Brixton venue the Windmill.
Recognized for its live-wire performances and Kwasniewski-Kelvin’s avant-garde strategy to guitar, the band’s 2019 debut LP “Schlagenheim” was a defining assertion from their scene and shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. They took an omnivorous strategy to recording, performing spoken-word jams and a radio play and protecting Bruce Springsteen and Christmas requirements.
Kwasniewski-Kelvin introduced a hiatus from the group for psychological well being causes in 2021, and didn’t carry out on its 2021 follow-up LP “Cavalcade,” although he did co-write some songs. The band launched another album, 2022’s “Hellfire,” earlier than parting methods.
In 2024, Kwasniewski-Kelvin launched a solo single, “Paedophile Ring [Free Palestine] [End the holocaust] [End the war now],”on Bandcamp.
“He’ll at all times be cherished,” the household’s assertion continued. “Please take a second examine in along with your love ones so we will cease this occurring to our younger males.”
