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 Katrin 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]

Other activities

Matthews subsequently studied music at the Dartington College of Arts in Devon. She was interviewed by Ichthus Christian Fellowship in October 2006.[5]

It was revealed that she had become a Christian. She is working as a missionary with the homeless.[6]

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".[7]

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. 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. "Evangelism News October 2006". Archived from the original on 28 October 2007.
  6. Justine Frischmann: waking up from Elastica to art in America Guardian Newspaper 14 March 2016
  7. 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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