Kwasniewski-Kelvin co-founded the British rock band with vocalist Geordie Greep and drummer Morgan Simpson in 2016.

Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, Black Midi co-founder and former guitarist, dies at 26

Kwasniewski-Kelvin co-founded the British rock band with vocalist Geordie Greep and drummer Morgan Simpson in 2016.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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January 12, 2026 6:24 p.m. ET

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Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin of Black Midi. Credit:

Jim Bennett/WireImage; Travis P Ball/Getty

Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, the co-founder of the British rock band Black Midi and its guitarist from 2016 to 2021, has died at the age of 26.

Kwasniewski-Kelvin's family announced his passing on Monday via a post to the official Instagram of Rough Trade, Black Midi's record label. "It is with deep sadness that we as a family regret to inform you that Matthew Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died after a long battle with his mental health," the post began.

"A talented musician and a kind, loving young man finally succumbed; despite all efforts," the message added. "Matt was 26 years old. He will always be loved."

Kwasniewski-Kelvin's family encouraged fans of the musician to "please take a moment to check in with your loved ones so we can stop this happening to our young men."

Rough Trade amplified the message, reiterating in the caption to the post mourning the "incredibly talented" musician, "If you are struggling with mental health issues please reach out to your loved ones or one of the range of charities such as Mind, CALM and Samaritans who provide services and someone to talk to in any time of need."

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Kwasniewski-Kelvin was born in England in 1999. While attending the BRIT School, a school for the performing arts located in Croydon, an outer borough of South London, Kwasniewski-Kelvin met vocalist Geordie Greep and drummer Morgan Simpson.

The trio of enterprising young musicians decided to cast their fortunes together by forming a band which, after enlisting Cameron Picton (another BRIT classmate) on a range of instruments from bass guitar to flute, became Black Midi.

The band shot to national renown after playing their first show at the Windmill pub in Brixton. Black Midi became known as one act in the diverse and insurgent "Windmill scene," ultimately becoming one of its most succesful exports, alongside Black Country, New Road, the Last Dinner Party, and Fontaines D.C.

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Black Midi in 2019.

Travis P Ball/Getty

A succession of well-received singles led to a record deal with Rough Trade. The band released their debut album, *Schlagenheim*, in 2019. Black Midi was nominated for the Mercury Prize that year, releasing the mixtape *The Black Midi Anthology Vol. 1: Tales of Suspense and Revenge* the following year.

In January 2021, Kwasniewski-Kelvin announced he was temporarily leaving the band to prioritize his well-being. "I've been taking some time off from the band as I have been mentally unwell," he shared in a statement at the time. "Because of this, I haven’t featured on forthcoming material. I'll be back soon."

The band released two more albums without Kwasniewski-Kelvin's participation before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2024.

Windmill issued a heartfelt remembrance of Kwasniewski-Kelvin on Instagram on Monday, calling it the "hardest IG post we've ever had to do." The legendary venue recalled, "It's so so emotional thinking back to those really exciting times when Matt would come in for soundcheck... and produce some of the best sounds our little stage had ever witnessed... But while it might look like someone has the world at their feet and all is great, things are not always what they seem."**

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