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