Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin
English guitarist (1999–2026)
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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]
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8 February 1999
Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin | |
|---|---|
Kwasniewski-Kelvin performing with Black Midi in March 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Matthew Antony Kwasniewski-Kelvin 8 February 1999 |
| Died | 12 January 2026 (aged 26) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Years active | 2017–2026 |
| Formerly of | Black Midi |
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:
- Singles
- "Crow's Perch" (2019)
- "Talking Heads" (2019)
- "7-eleven" (2019)
- "Sweater" (2020)
- Studio albums
- Live albums
- Damo Suzuki Live At The Windmill Brixton With 'Sound Carriers' Black Midi (with Damo Suzuki) (2018)
- Live at KEXP (2019)
- Live on Canal St, NYC (2019)
- Live in the USA (2020)
As featuring artist:
- "Mixed Messages" - Rosie Alena (2019)
- Man Made - Greentea Peng ("This Sound") (2021)
- Loggerhead - Wu-Lu (2022)
As solo artist:
- Singles
- "Paedophile Ring (Free Palestine) (End the Holocaust) (End the War Now)" (2024)
