Donna Matthews

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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ Klangers.net Archived 28 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "'They hadn't seen each other for 20yrs': Elastica are back in the studio". Vanyaland.com. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Donna Matthews". Youtube.com. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Evangelism News October 2006". Archived from the original on 28 October 2007.
  7. ^ Justine Frischmann: waking up from Elastica to art in America Guardian Newspaper 14 March 2016
  8. ^ Achara, Chidi. "Interview: Donna Matthews". "Famous" (2007). Artisan Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 September 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2013.