Black Midi Co-Founder Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin Dies After a ‘Long Battle with His Mental Health’ at 26

Black Midi’s co-founder and former guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died. He was 26.

A rep for Kwasniewski-Kelvin confirmed his death to PEOPLE on Monday, Jan. 12.

His family shared a statement through the English rock band’s record label Rough Trade Records the same day on social media.

“It is with deep sadness that we as a family regret to inform you that Matthew Kwasniewski-Kelvin had died after a long battle with his mental health,” the family statement began.

It continued, “A talented musician and a kind, loving man finally succumbed; despite all efforts … He will always be loved. Please take a moment to check in with your loved ones so we can stop this happening to our young men.”

Additionally, Rough Trade Records shared their own statement in the caption of the post.

“Rough Trade Records would like to extend deepest sympathy to the Kwasniewski-Kelvin family who have shared this statement on the tragic passing of founding black midi member Matt – an incredibly talented person who will be truly missed,” it began.

The record label then encouraged anyone who is “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.”

No cause of death has been revealed.

Kwasniewski-Kelvin appeared on Black Midi’s 2019 debut album Schlagenheim, which was shortlisted for that year’s Mercury Prize.

By 2021, he announced he was leaving the band due to his mental health issues.

“I’ve been taking some time off from the band as I have been mentally unwell,” he said in a statement on the band’s Facebook page in January 2021. “Because of this, I haven’t featured on forthcoming material. I’ll be back soon.”

At the time, the band said in the social media post that they were “fully behind our best mate in his recovery and can’t wait ’til we can all be + play together again soon,” per the outlet.

Black Midi formed in London in 2017. The band released three albums: 2019’s Schlagenheim, 2021’s Cavalcade and 2022’s Hellfire.

Their most recent line-up featured lead vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Geordie Greep and Cameron Picton, as well as drummer Morgan Simpson

Per Pitchfork, Greep announced that the band was going on hiatus in an Instagram Live in August 2024.

In a now-deleted August 2024 X post, per Reddit, Picton said he was “as blindsided as everyone else last night but maybe in a different way” after the band allegedly agreed to not “say anything about ‘breaking up’.”

A rep told Pitchfork at the time that the band was “on a hiatus for now while they are working on solo projects.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.