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3w ago

Black Midi Co-Founder Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin Dies at 26

His family attributed the loss to a long struggle with mental health, prompting renewed calls to seek help.

The British band Black Midi performs a live concert during the Norwegian music festival Bergenfest 2019 in Bergen, Norway, June 15, 2019. Here guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin is seen live on stage.
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Guitarist Matt Kelvin of Black Midi perform live on stage during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festival at Barracuda Backyard on March 13, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jim Bennett/WireImage)
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Overview

  • The death was confirmed on Jan. 12 in a family statement shared by Black Midi’s label, Rough Trade Records, and no further cause was disclosed.
  • Kwasniewski-Kelvin co-founded the band after meeting classmates at the BRIT School and played on the acclaimed 2019 debut Schlagenheim, which was Mercury Prize-shortlisted.
  • He stepped away from the group in early 2021 citing mental-health concerns and did not appear on the subsequent albums Cavalcade and Hellfire.
  • Black Midi entered an indefinite hiatus in 2024 as remaining members moved to solo projects.
  • Tributes from fans, peers, and Brixton’s Windmill venue followed, with posts urging people to check on loved ones and pointing to resources such as Mind, CALM, and Samaritans.