Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin

Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin
Kwasniewski-Kelvin performing with Black Midi in March 2019
Background information
Born
Matthew Antony Kwasniewski-Kelvin

(1999-02-08)8 February 1999
Died12 January 2026(2026-01-12) (aged 26)
Genres
OccupationMusician
Years active2017–2026
Formerly ofBlack Midi

Matthew Antony Kwasniewski-Kelvin (8 February 1999 – 12 January 2026) was an English musician and lead guitarist of the rock band Black Midi from its foundation until his departure in 2020. The group were a part of British rock music's Windmill scene.[1]

Kwasniewski-Kelvin recorded one studio album with the band, Schlagenheim (2019), before departing the following year due to mental health difficulties.[2] Prior to his departure, Kwasniewski-Kelvin contributed to the writing process for the band's second studio album, Cavalcade (2021), and later contributed to recordings by Greentea Peng and Wu-Lu.

Early life

Kwasniewski-Kelvin was one-quarter Polish.[3] As a child, he was a fan of pop-punk and classic rock.[4] He cited his father's CDs and records as how he started listening to music from a young age, along with YouTube.[5] His father's collection featured Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton.[5] At around 10 to 11, he began listening to Green Day and Good Charlotte.[5] He cited Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix as favorites.[5] He later met Geordie Greep who introduced him to noise and experimental rock.[4]

Career

Kwasniewski-Kelvin met Geordie Greep, Cameron Picton and Morgan Simpson at a London's performance arts institution, BRIT School.[4] The group would form Black Midi in 2017. In 2021, Kwasniewski-Kelvin announced his departure from Black Midi due to mental health difficulties.[4][6][7][8][9] Prior to his departure, Kwasniewski-Kelvin contributed to the writing process for the band's second studio album, Cavalcade (2021),[10] and later contributed to recordings by Greentea Peng and Wu-Lu.

Death and legacy

Kwasniewski-Kelvin died by suicide in January 2026.[4][9]

In 2026, British newspaper The Guardian stated "Kwasniewski-Kelvin helped to make Black Midi into one of the most talked-about, musically adventurous rock bands in recent years".[4]

Discography

With black midi

As featuring artist

As solo artist

  • Singles
    • "Paedophile Ring (Free Palestine) (End the Holocaust) (End the War Now)" (2024)

References

  1. ^ Read, Kieran (23 June 2020). "'There's a complete fearlessness to them': Inside the raucous new south London guitar scene". Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Black Midi's Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin shares statement explaining recent absence from the band due to mental health issues". NME. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  3. ^ "It will be there forever. An interview with Black Midi - UNDERTONE". undrtn.pl (in Polish). 7 August 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (12 January 2026). "Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, guitarist for rock band Black Midi, dies aged 26". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d "It will be there forever. An interview with Black Midi - UNDERTONE". undrtn.pl (in Polish). 7 August 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  6. ^ Moore, Sam (15 January 2021). "Black Midi's Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin shares statement explaining recent absence from the band due to mental health issues". NME. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  7. ^ Reilly, Nick (12 January 2026). "Black Midi Guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin Dead at 26". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  8. ^ Clarke, Patrick (12 January 2026). "Founding Black Midi Guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has Died". The Quietus. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b Monroe, Jazz (12 January 2026). "Black Midi Co-Founder Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin Dies at 26". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  10. ^ Clarke, Patrick (23 March 2021). "Black Midi announce new album 'Cavalcade' with cult-inspired new video 'John L'". NME. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
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