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I knew Matthew in school, as the
younger brother of a friend, Eddie.
I remember him as a sweet little thing...and it seems life did little to
change that. The first I heard of his blossoming musical success was on
the Friends Re-United website - I followed the link to this site. I was
impressed and moved by what I heard and intended to go and buy the
album. I did not do this straight away.... The next I heard of Matthew
was on the Jo Whiley show - someone had dedicated a song... in his
memory?? Did I hear that right? At the end of the song, Jo went on to
say that Matthew, who was on her show just the week before, had died.
I was so shocked and saddened. And so gutted to have missed hearing
him live on Radio 1. I felt such pride that he had made it so far, but so
sad that it had been cut short before his name was fully recognised as
it should be.
Of course, my first thought
was for Eddie and his family. My tears are
for you. I knew Matthew only in passing, but feel immensely proud of him
even so. You brought a gem into the world and for that we owe you our
thanks and love.
Lucy Tatam xx
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I have just found your website
and I am so pleased to find people discussing
Matthew and the wonderful music he made.
I met him a couple of times
at gigs. The first was when he played at
Norwich Arts Centre, it was a fantastic gig and my sister and brother-in-law,
who came with me, became immediate fans and bought his album for all their
friends. I was able to meet him afterwards and even had my copy of 'Draw'
signed to me personally.
The second was outside Brixton
Academy after The Hives had played an
NME gig there. I dont think he was expecting a mad fan to come running
over to him, but he was very sweet and answered my questions about
his new album and let my sister take a picture of us together.
I am so glad that I was able
to tell him how much my friends and I loved his
music, and only wish he was still with us writing his beautiful songs.
Lucy Naughton
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I've only just found out about Matthew through a small but
poignant mention in the letters page of the Jan '04 Observer music
monthly. His name leapt out at me from the page....(as Idon't think I've
seen many mentions of him in the past year.) To find out that he is no
longer with us is just heartbreaking....
I bought both the 'Four Songs' and 'Friendly Fire' E.P.s when they came
out
and found them a very refreshing and beautifully crafted listen. What a
great
sound! I'm a songwriter myself and I also manage a bar/ venue called The
Greys in Brighton, UK. Not a week goes by when 'Four Songs' doesn't get
an
airing (at a suitable volume) and many of the punters ask what I'm
playing. Just wish we'd gotten around to seeing Matthew grace our stage.
Well 2003 huh? What a year....three of the finest songwriters on
the planet are gone....the others being Elliot Smith and Shane Gelagin
(of the beautiful Australian band 'The Simpletons'- If you like Matthew's
music check out their album 'Matter' at www.candlerecords.com/au....it is
awesome!).
My deepest sympathy to all Matthew's family, friends and fans. I am shocked
and deeply saddened.
Ric Blow.
Brighton.
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I first saw Matthew Jay supporting The Divine Comedy in 2001. I headed to
the gig at Sheffield so excited to be going to see my favourite band play
live for the first time, I never anticipated that the support act would
have such an effect on me! My friend had told me that this guy was good,
and he really was. I remember the polite clap Matthew got after one song,
and him saying - "Come on, we're better than that!" which got
an even bigger cheer and made me realise that he was right, he was.
I was handed a promo CD at the gig that was duly played after hearing his
performance and I bought 'Draw' the day it was released, with it becoming
my favourite album of 2001. It's since become one of the most played albums
in my car, keeping me company on many journeys around the country, and I'm
sure it will many times in the future.
I never met him, I never knew him, I only know his music. But Matthew Jay's
music is brilliant, and it always will be. It's such a tragedy he won't
be making any more, but what little he did make I'll continue to enjoy for
a long, long time.
Paul Rayner.
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Words can't really express how I felt when I read about Matthew's tragic
death in the NME.
Straightaway I thought of John Lennon, because I believed that Matthew would
become our generation's most talented singer/songwriter.
Sadly he was never given the chance.
'Draw' will be with us forever though, to be cherished again and again.
Let's all hope Matthew's up there making beautiful music with John for us
all to listen to when our time comes.
Rest In Peace Matthew
Dan Reville
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Although
I have already posted a message, I felt compelled to
share the following letter I wrote during the time of
Matthew's funeral. Unfortunately I could not attend the
service, but this letter was my way of paying respects to the
Jay family and everyone who loved him:
"Words cannot express
how heart broken I am over the death of
my dear friend. I feel as if a light went out in my life and
that I’ve lost someone very, very special. Matthew was such a
beautiful person with a beautiful spirit. He was kind,
intelligent, compassionate, funny, sensitive and incredibly
talented. He was what I called an “old soul”. Wise beyond his
years, and I learned so much from him. I knew the day I met him
that my life would change forever. I’d never met anyone like
him, and I always believed that there was a reason he came into
my life. He had such a profound and lasting impact on me the
short time I’d known him and I cherished his friendship
immensely. I knew I could always call on him for a kind
word. Whenever I was going through hard times in my life, he
always had a way of making me see the brighter side of any
situation. I always felt so optimistic and so full of hope
after every phone conversation with him. He encouraged me
tremendously and brought so much joy to my life. I don’t think
anyone will ever know how much Matthew inspired me. I’m truly
going to miss him, but I feel so blessed to have known him at
all. Even if it was for only a short while....
Karen Lee Harris
Philadelphia
USA
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To my beautiful, talented, inspirational,
intelligent, funny, gentle friend Matthew,
It was a privelege to know you for the short time that I knew you. Iwill
cherish it
dearly always. Thankyou for opening my eyes to so many things.
You are one of the most special souls I've ever met. I will miss you.
All my thoughts and prayers go to your family.
May you rest in peace, and may your music live on forever.
Helen x
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Only twice have I been blown away
by a band on the first time of seeing them.
Whiteout were the first, whatever garbage they went on to get involved with:
that 'Word' performance was phenomenal. The other was MJ on Later:
F*****g great, I thought, at last, someone who's sheer brilliance is going
to
give me pleasure for years to come. Someone I can watch on MTV and
think...well. I thought he was brilliant before 'you lot' had even heard
of him.
'Draw' is beautiful. That a
lad so young could write it can only now be understood
by the tragedy that followed, such that as with all great talents, there
was a deep
and introspective, unsure guy 'in there' who tragically is no longer around.
That there's now pages and pages of tributes and news about Matthew just
proves, tragically too late, how damn popular he was one lucky break away
from becoming.
Maybe that's not what he wanted?
God rest your soul mate.
Gary H, Hudds
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To not think about
Matthew's passing while listening to his wonderfully
crafted music, truly breaks my heart.
I don't think Matthew Jay ever managed to write a song that was under par.
Although his life and musical career was short lived, it was all very prolific.
It was very unfortunate that I was introduced to his brilliant music after
his death.
The deaths of Matthew and Elliott Smith within 1 month each other left an
overwhelming impact on me.
Such a copious amount of talent wasted at such a tender age.
My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family.
-Christopher
Ottawa, Canada
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I still can't believe of what happen. Why good people always die
first.... you're always going too soon.. I'm always left on my own...
Its ok I understand. Sometimes life can hold you down...
See you soon Matthew!
Vincent Jara
Iloilo, Philippines
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I came upon this website accidentally so have only known him for a few
minutes but my heart goes out to everyone who knew him and so
obviously loved him.
I am a practicing buddhist and will chant Nam myoho renge kyo for
him every day.
Please be confident that he will be at peace.
Someone from
Canada. Marcyn.
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I actally got the chance to met Matthew in person some time ago
when he played in Cardiff. I remember chatting to this loverly chap,
who seemed really chuffed that all these people had turned up to a gig.
I remember laughing and saying to him that the singer who was playing
had touched my heart, and not since 1st hearing Nick Drake had I been
touched like that from music. He seemed a bit stunned at this, and I
remember offering him a fruit pastle. He said it should be a a good gig,
and that he would see me later.
I can remember my husband asking who it was I was talking to, and I said
someone who was going to the gig too. Needless to say, when Matthew
walked on stage, smiling, I couldnt help but start laughing. And that's
what
I will always rememeber him for..a layed back, no fuss. simple man
(not simple in mind but in outlook). My husband taught our daughter to play
'Let Your Shoulders Fall' on the guitar, and whenever she has nightmare,
that's the song that sends her back to sleep.
So thank you Matthew for a lovely song, that will be played for many years
to come.
Dessie
xxxx
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Like most people I only knew Matthew Jay through his music. But I loved
the album and so did two of my flatmates when I lived in Clapham, London,
a couple of years ago. Despite other musical differences, we all agreed
the
songs of Matthew's 'Draw' were special. We went to see him, and waited
for the next album, and the press coverage. We will miss him and hold the
album very, very special, and call his name out to those who don't yet know
his music! God bless.
Matt Fullerty, Washington,
DC
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What to say? I am absolutely gutted.
In the last couple of weeks I have
rediscovered Draw and remembered why I loved it so much - once it's
in my stereo it stays there for weeks, nothing else compares does it?
I thought I'd go online and see if Matthew had released anything else
recently - and then I saw the terrible news. I can't believe I didn't know
and I can't believe he's gone. My deepest sympathy to all his friends
and family. Few can hope to leave so beautiful a legacy.
J.A. Howard
Manchester.
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