Biography
London's Black Midi quickly cultivated a devoted audience soon after their 2017 formation, as their music rapidly broadened to blend math rock, prog, post-punk, and avant-jazz elements. Early video footage of concerts along with the 2018 single "bmbmbm" generated substantial attention for the group's precisely assembled yet wild rock textures. Their debut album Schlagenheim arrived in 2019 to widespread praise, while Cavalcade in 2021 and Hellfire in 2022 incorporated an even wider array of influences into the quartet's shifting, flowing style.
The Croydon, England four-piece initially featured guitarist/vocalist Geordie Greep, lead guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, bassist Cameron Picton, and drummer Morgan Simpson, all of whom had graduated from the performing arts institution The BRIT School before coming together in 2017. Departing from the more commercial artists associated with that school, such as Amy Winehouse and the Kooks, Black Midi pursued angular, experimental post-punk. As part of a South London scene that included Shame, Goat Girl, and HMLTD, the fresh ensemble became regulars at Brixton's favorite new-band haunt The Windmill.
In a departure from their contemporaries, Black Midi cultivated an enigmatic presence through minimal interviews and minimal engagement with social media. Their forceful live performances soon drew press attention, leading to a 2018 live session for radio station NTS at Flesh & Bone Studios in Hackney. The band also supported former Can frontman Damo Suzuki at a show held at The Windmill. Later that year they issued their first single via producer Dan Carey's (Bat for Lashes, Kate Tempest) Speedy Wunderground label. The track "bmbmbm" emerged as a jittery and delirious piece anchored by taut grooves and bursts of noise. Schlagenheim, their opening full-length, reached listeners in June 2019. In November of that year Black Midi made the song "7-11" available digitally (previously known from live sets as "Cameron's Song"), and the next February they introduced "Sweater," an 11-minute leftover from the Schlagenheim sessions. "Sweater" received a physical 12" vinyl pressing in July 2020 backed by "7-11." Also in 2020 came the online-only The Black Midi Anthology, Vol. 1: Tales of Suspense and Revenge, comprising four tracks of spoken word over improvised jams.
Kwasniewski-Kelvin stated in January 2021 that he would step back temporarily to attend to his mental health. Although absent from the recording of the second album, touring musicians Kaidi Akinnibi and Seth Evans filled his role onstage. Cavalcade appeared in late May 2021. The limited EP Live-Cade surfaced near year's end, and Cavalcovers followed in March 2022, featuring renditions originally by King Crimson, Taylor Swift, and Captain Beefheart that had first appeared on flexi-discs included with advance orders of Cavalcade. "Welcome to Hell" and the acoustic-tinged "Eat Men Eat" arrived ahead of the third album, Hellfire, which landed in July.
The Croydon, England four-piece initially featured guitarist/vocalist Geordie Greep, lead guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, bassist Cameron Picton, and drummer Morgan Simpson, all of whom had graduated from the performing arts institution The BRIT School before coming together in 2017. Departing from the more commercial artists associated with that school, such as Amy Winehouse and the Kooks, Black Midi pursued angular, experimental post-punk. As part of a South London scene that included Shame, Goat Girl, and HMLTD, the fresh ensemble became regulars at Brixton's favorite new-band haunt The Windmill.
In a departure from their contemporaries, Black Midi cultivated an enigmatic presence through minimal interviews and minimal engagement with social media. Their forceful live performances soon drew press attention, leading to a 2018 live session for radio station NTS at Flesh & Bone Studios in Hackney. The band also supported former Can frontman Damo Suzuki at a show held at The Windmill. Later that year they issued their first single via producer Dan Carey's (Bat for Lashes, Kate Tempest) Speedy Wunderground label. The track "bmbmbm" emerged as a jittery and delirious piece anchored by taut grooves and bursts of noise. Schlagenheim, their opening full-length, reached listeners in June 2019. In November of that year Black Midi made the song "7-11" available digitally (previously known from live sets as "Cameron's Song"), and the next February they introduced "Sweater," an 11-minute leftover from the Schlagenheim sessions. "Sweater" received a physical 12" vinyl pressing in July 2020 backed by "7-11." Also in 2020 came the online-only The Black Midi Anthology, Vol. 1: Tales of Suspense and Revenge, comprising four tracks of spoken word over improvised jams.
Kwasniewski-Kelvin stated in January 2021 that he would step back temporarily to attend to his mental health. Although absent from the recording of the second album, touring musicians Kaidi Akinnibi and Seth Evans filled his role onstage. Cavalcade appeared in late May 2021. The limited EP Live-Cade surfaced near year's end, and Cavalcovers followed in March 2022, featuring renditions originally by King Crimson, Taylor Swift, and Captain Beefheart that had first appeared on flexi-discs included with advance orders of Cavalcade. "Welcome to Hell" and the acoustic-tinged "Eat Men Eat" arrived ahead of the third album, Hellfire, which landed in July.
Albums
Singles
