Matthew Jay British singer songwriter
In loving Memory
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I met Matthew a couple of times a couple of years ago.

He didn't throw himself around, although it was a fairly star-studded bash. He
just wanted to sit down somewhere discrete and quiet, and chat. He had a
lot of deep thoughts, and released them through his music. He came accross
as being misunderstood, but he wasn't, because he put feelings in to words and music better than anyone.

With Matthew you had to really listen as, although he spoke quietly - everything he said was interesting. It took Matthew a while to trust people, but if he clicked
with you it was easy. We were dancing together along with Martyn. He was
such a good laugh! And had the most beautiful smile that touched you within.

He introduced me to the music of India Ayrie. When I listen to her album I always think of Matthew.

Matthew - rest in peace. I hope you have found happiness wherever you are.
You have influenced my life and I will always be grateful for the few times
we 'chilled'.

Huge respect and lots of love,

Abi xx

I don't really know what I want to say..........
Firstly I would like to say how sorry I am for Matthew's familyxx.

In 2001 my boyfriend Simon and myself discovered 'Draw.'
We had always been far too cool to have "our album or song"but very quickly this became ours.
We saw Matthew @ Northumbria Uni in 2001 and I got some great photo's of him and there is one where he is winking at me (much to the annoyance of my boyf!)

Well I guess that I just wanted to say that I can't believe that this has happened and I so gutted (on a purely selfish level) that I won't get to hear anymore of his AMAZING music.

It just seems so strange especially when I know that so many people had yet to experience his gift (and his great looks)tha he has gone!

Matthew you will always be in our hearts and you will always remind me of happy times.

Hannah Ghori

Thank you for your great music which help me through the bad time.
Everytime I listen to your song, I feel very good. Even you're gone but your
music still remain, I believe.-- Cheevita C. [Thailand]

Your beautiful music and lyrics have filled a huge void in my life, and for that I am eternally grateful. I'm still working hard to promote your music to everybody I meet, just as I did the day I first heard 'Let Your Shoulder Fall'. Thank you for being such a big influence in my life. May you look down on us all and continue to smile.

Many Thanks

Dave, Swindon


I got to know about it only yesterday and I was ruined. I still cannot understand
WHY it happens so that the world loses its best sons. Tim Buckley (28),
Jeff, his son (30), Nick Drake (26), Elliott Smith (34), Matthew... I guess it's
just that they do not belong here and never did. They were too sensitive, too
pure for this dirty sinful place. Now they are where their place really is.

Yesterday I posted a page of Matthew at a matchmaking site, so as to make
people see him and know him. And maybe remember. As I do. You will
always be in my heart, Matthew. RIP. Thank you for all you did for me through
your music.

Dmitry
Ufa, Russia

To live in the hearts of those that he loved, and was loved by in return, is not to die.
Sleep well Matthew.

Dan C

So hard to believe, so hard to accept.
His songs play and he is as alive as ever.
God bless.

Liz Brault



I was a friend of both Matthew (Graham) and Eddie at primary school and I
always knew he was such a talented young man - I came second place in the
school talent competiton to him and Eddie, they put on a splendid
performance on the bass and accordian.

I lost touch with him when he left our town to move to Wales, and it was only
when I saw the 'Draw' album in the window of the music shop in town a few years ago that I remembered him, though I noticed a slight change. Since then I have become a real lover of his music, and I am very saddened that he was taken
away so soon - the music world has suffered a great loss as have the people
close to him also, his loved ones, my heart goes out to you.

Matthew will live on both through his music and in peoples hearts and minds.
I want to thank him for the joy he has given us through the medium of song.

Take care and rest easy my friend!

Best wishes

Ash White

 
  I received "Draw" from a friend some time ago and tucked it away.
I didn't know who "Matthew Jay" was so it escaped my attention...until one
day on a plane to Finland. I decided to give "Draw" a chance and was struck.

It was my first time to Europe, a magical thing for most Americans.
As I stared out of train windows, humbled by what I saw, Matthew's music was
ever-present in my headphones. Imagine getting to know his music during your
first trip through the Austrian Alps. "Draw" was my soundtrack to Europe.

I learned recently that Matthew was my age, and it made the idea of his death
even more sad. He could have been my best friend, my brother, a football buddy. The tragic loss of such talent and potential is just frustrating.

A year later, across the Atlantic, facing the downpour of yet another hurricane,
there's someone reflecting on the music and the loss of a beautiful person and musician.

Brendan, North Carolina, USA

 
I feel terrible about the fact I had never heard of Matthew and his work until the
week he died. But I am also very glad that I did discover what a fantastic and underrated artist he is. Draw is a simply sublime piece of work, and I hope that
he will achieve cult status here in Britain, in the same way that Nick Drake did,
who I can tell was one of Matthew's big influences. He will always be remembered through his music, and that is someting that can never be taken away.

Chris - Cardiff, Wales.
 
I first saw Matthew when he supported Starsailor at Leeds Met, and was
completely entranced from the off. Matthew's songs meant a lot to me during
the period after the death of my brother, so to hear of his passing was all the more sad.

I would like to thank Matthew for the wonderful songs he wrote; they meant so
much to me through my difficult time and always will. A musician as gifted as Matthew deserves the utmost recognition.

I would also like to pass on my thoughts to Matthew's family and friends.

Many thanks

Amber Walker, Leeds
 
I first heard Matthew Jay when I was working at Nettwerk Records in the
US. We had just released Coldplay's "Parachutes" so EMI in the UK was
sending us other demos and albums that they thought we might want to
release in the US.

I was pretty much immediately drawn into his songs by their pop
sensibilities and quirky arrangements. The sound was familiar, but
fresh at the same time. After repeated listenings, I was fully hooked.
The thought of being able to bring this music to America was really
exciting. I remember thinking we were really lucky to be potentially
putting this out.

In the end, Capitol scooped this one up. I guess they didn't want to
miss another opportunity, as they did when they initially passed on
Coldplay. Matthew Jay should have been huge in America and someday he
probably will be as fans slowly turn their friends on to his sound.

I am pleased to discover this site and learn that I will finally be
able to hear more of his music with the release of ". . .too soon."

Matthew was a rarity indeed. It is kind of selfish of me to say that I
am upset by his passing because I will never be able to hear all of the
great music he had yet to make. I did not know the man, but I knew his
music. "Draw" was one of the finest albums I had heard in a long time.
If Matthew's music was a any reflection of who he was as a person,
then I regret never having the opportunity to meet him.

David Shaw
Los Angeles, CA
 
I first heard Matthew during the spring of 2001. I instantly fell in love with ‘Draw’ and spent the summer travelling to see him live. Each and every song holds a special place in my heart – the album was the soundtrack for my first year at university, the first time I fell in love and for the happiest memories that I hold.

For someone who I had never met, I cannot express the sadness I feel in hearing of his death.

Draw will remain one of my most precious possessions and every song, chord and word will bring back the fondest of memories.

Andrew
 

Having read a few of the comments, I can agree and say that I was also one
of the lucky few people who have seen Matthew Jay live while he was supporting Starsailor. What made this gig even more special to me was that it was the first
gig I ever went to in Sheffield where I was studying. This made Matthew the first
artist I saw live on stage. I am a big fan of Starsailor, and being the first gig I went
to, I was there extra early, and consequently saw the whole of Matthew's performance from the very front row. I remembered really enjoying the music, and Matthew himself had stage presence. I can honestly say that no other supporting band (that I hadn't heard of previously) other than Matthew Jay, touched me so much.

Immediately after the gig, I listened to the sampler cd that was given out, and it
wasn't soon after that I bought my copy of the album.

I found out about Matthew's death in a small article in the music magazine 'The Fly' which paid their respects to the passing away of a great talent. I couldn't believe
it was the same Matthew Jay.

All that is really left for me to say, even after a year, is Matthew Jay is still alive through his music, and I can't wait to listen to the new album.

Rest in Peace Matthew

Dee Parmar, Sheffield, UK
  I listen to his music and one thing comes to my mind for some reason..
No-one will ever forget this person.
His music and legacy, eternal. Just like Jeff Buckley before him...
Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
~Nicole~
 

Unfortunately I didn't manage to see Matthew Jay live, like some of his fans
out there, but I would have liked to. I heard the album by chance, because I
work in a record chain which happened to stock 'Draw,' so I thought I'll give
it a quick listen..... What can I say? - the album is brilliant, and I know
I'm a bit late in saying this, but it is definitely the best album I've
listened to, without knowing the artist beforehand.

When I heard of his passing, I was saddened by a number of things.....
firstly the age at which he died: such a loss of such a talented artist is
unforgiveable, but at 24 he was just on the first step to stardom, and I am
sure he would have made it, had he been still with us. Another thing that
I'm saddened by.....more angered by..... is that I didn't get to see him
live, as I'm sure he was as a brilliant performer as he was a writer.

Now it is over a year since he passed, and I wonder what if..... you know?
Had he been with us, would he have been up there with the bigger named
songwriters, such as Buckley and Lennon... I'm sure he would have been, as
some great artists DO get through the barriers in the music industry that
destroy most of their careers.... the one that either makes or breaks them.

I'm not claiming to be the biggest fan ever, but I still wanted to pay a
little tribute to him and his wonderful music.

We miss you Matthew

Adrian, North Wales, UK


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