Remembering Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin: A Tribute to the Founding Guitarist of Black Midi
The founding guitarist of the London post-punk band Black Midi, Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, has passed away at the age of 26. The band's label, Rough Trade, confirmed his death, mentioning his long battle with mental health issues. Black Midi was formed when Kwasniewski-Kelvin met his bandmates at the BRIT School, and they quickly became part of the Windmill scene in Brixton, alongside other notable acts.
In 2018, Black Midi released their debut single "bmbmbm" on Speedy Wunderground label, followed by "Speedway." The band gained attention after their performance at SXSW in 2019 and signed with Rough Trade, releasing their acclaimed debut album Schlagenheim. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Black Midi continued to experiment with different projects, including a radio play and Christmas covers.
In early 2021, it was announced that Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin would be taking a break from the band for mental health reasons. He did not participate in their second album, Cavalcade, but contributed to some tracks. Black Midi released one more album, Hellfire, before quietly disbanding. Kwasniewski-Kelvin collaborated on Wu-Lu's album Loggerhead and released a solo protest track on Bandcamp in 2024.
The legacy of Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin and Black Midi lives on through their music and contributions to the post-punk scene. Their unique sound and experimental approach continue to inspire fans and musicians alike.