Donna_Matthews

Donna Matthews

Donna Matthews

Welsh musician


Donna Lorraine Matthews (born 2 December 1971) is a Welsh musician who was the lead guitarist of the Britpop band Elastica.

Music career

When she was 20, Matthews answered an advert in Melody Maker for a guitarist with a new band. She became a member of Elastica, subsequently becoming one of their songwriters and credited for many of their tracks.[1] Matthews left Elastica in the spring of 1999 after the band's output had waned and she had developed a heroin habit.[1] In April 2000 she briefly rejoined the band to play one track, "Connection", at the London Kentish Town Forum after being invited out of the audience by Elastica singer Justine Frischmann.[2]

After shaking off her drug addiction she formed an unnamed band with bassist Isabel Waidner and Catrin Jones. In May 2003 they produced and sold 1000 copies of a single, called "L.O.V.E."[1]

In May 2004, Matthews' new band, Klang (with Waidner and drummer Keisuke Hiratsuka) released their debut album, No Sound is Heard.[1] Klang have not produced any output or news since 2005.[3]

On 21 January 2017 three-quarters of the original line-up of Elastica – Matthews, Annie Holland and Justin Welch – worked together on the remastering of Elastica.[4]

As of 2022, Matthews has a YouTube channel where she uploads mostly improvisational music.[5]

Other activities

Matthews subsequently studied music at the Dartington College of Arts in Devon. She was interviewed by Ichthus Christian Fellowship in October 2006.[6]

It was revealed that she had become a Christian. She is working as a missionary with the homeless.[7]

In a 2007 interview Matthews claimed she was still making music but no longer had a desire to be in the public eye. She wanted simply to be "rich in love".[8]

Matthews also played the role of glam rocker Polly Small in the 1998 film Velvet Goldmine.


References

  1. Cripps, Charlotte (14 May 2004). "Donna Matthews: A new Elastica band". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  2. "Donna back with Elastica for one night only". NME. 14 April 2000. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. "'They hadn't seen each other for 20yrs': Elastica are back in the studio". Vanyaland.com. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  4. "Donna Matthews". Youtube.com. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  5. "Evangelism News October 2006". Archived from the original on 28 October 2007.
  6. Achara, Chidi. "Interview: Donna Matthews". "Famous" (2007). Artisan Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 September 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2013.

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