Black Midi guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died on the age of 26.The musician had been struggling along with his psychological well being for a while earlier than his tragic loss of life.A household assertion shared on the now-defunct band’s label Tough Commerce Data’ Instagram account learn: “It’s with deep unhappiness that we as a household remorse to tell you that Matthew Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died after an extended battle along with his psychological well being.”A proficient musician and a sort, loving man lastly succumbed; regardless of all efforts.”It went on: “Please take a second to examine in along with your family members so we are able to cease this occurring to our younger males.”Tough Commerce added within the caption: “Tough Commerce Data wish to prolong deepest sympathy to the Kwasniewski-Kelvin household who’ve shared this assertion on the tragic passing of founding black midi member Matt – an extremely proficient one that might be actually missed.”In case you are scuffling with psychological well being points please attain out to your family members or one of many vary of charities reminiscent of Thoughts, CALM and Samaritans who present companies and somebody to speak to in any time of want.”Kwasniewski‑Kelvin helped spark the beginnings of black midi again in 2017, teaming up with fellow BRIT College college students Geordie Greep, Morgan Simpson and Cameron Picton to kind what would rapidly turn out to be one of many UK’s most talked‑about experimental rock outfits. The group made their first main splash with the frenetic single bmbmbm in June 2018, launched by Dan Carey’s cult favorite Speedy Wunderground imprint, earlier than graduating to Tough Commerce the next yr for his or her acclaimed debut album Schlagenheim.By early 2021, the band confirmed that Kwasniewski‑Kelvin had stepped away to prioritise his psychological well being and wouldn’t seem on their forthcoming releases — a interval that in the end produced 2021’s Cavalcade and 2022’s Hellfire. The story took one other flip in August 2024, when Greep revealed that black midi had quietly come to an finish, clearing the trail for his personal solo ventures.
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