AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH WWW.MATTHEWJAY.COM

On August 23rd Jay’s Music Ltd will release Matthew Jay’s memorial album, ‘...too soon.’

Released as a memorial to singer-songwriter Matthew Jay, this album, '...too soon,' is offered in response to the tributes on www.crookedsmile.com.
People from all over the world have been deeply touched by Matthew’s music.
As the first anniversary approaches of his tragic loss, the wish of Matthew’s family to keep his music alive has seen this project become reality.

E-mails to Matthew’s website indicated that many fans were unable to obtain copies of Matthews EPs and Singles. His family wish to celebrate Mathew’s life in the best way possible, by making his music available to all who want it.

The lead track ‘Louie’ has special significance to Matthew’s mother Hilary, who had a premonition of his death two weeks before she lost her dearly loved son. She says,
"Matthew would never have intentionally broken his mother's heart. One day we may all
learn the truth about that night, but until then, just listen to the words of this song."

Also included is ‘Sunday,’ featuring Matthew’s brother Eddy on accordian, played in his
own amazing and unique style. It was performed at Glastonbury in June 2000, with a fantastic reception.

Additionally rare remixes from Bent and Fug will feature on the release.

The enigmatic artwork on he album front, created by Eddy Jay, contains more than seen
at first glance. Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts on what the artwork offers to them, by posting on www.crookedsmile.com. (E-mail your thoughts to contact@crookedsmile.com with 'Matthew Jay...too soon cover' as the subject line).

There are plans to release a further album next year of completely new material that
Matthew was working on at the time of his tragic accident.

Released with the permission of EMI Recordings, Matthew Jay’s memorial album
‘. . . too soon,’ is available exclusively through www.matthewjay.com from Monday 23rd August for £10 + p&p.

The following are press releases from Matthew's record label Parlophone, and are written by Matthew's press agent Chris Latham.

FOUR SONGS

Matthew Jay
'Four Songs'
Released 31st January 2000

'Four Songs' is the debut release from new Food Records signing Matthew Jay.

The 'Four Songs' are disarmingly good, imbued with subtly complex melodies that stick in the memory long after the record has stopped playing. It's not just the song writing that impresses, Matthew has a wonderfully emotive voice and a poetic grasp of language. At the end of a year when good songwriters have been few and far between, it's clear Matthew's is a new talent to cherish.

Matthew Jay was born twenty-one years ago in Plymouth, though his father's job kept the family moving until they eventually settled in the small mining town of Abergavenny, south Wales, when Matthew was ten. With his parents being semi-professional folk musicians, Matthew has always been surrounded by music and has been playing guitar since his fingers were big enough to hold down the strings. Sports mad as a kid, Matthew didn't actually consider a future in music until a football injury kept him housebound when he was sixteen. Forced to slow down, he found himself writing his first songs. He's never looked back. His formative influences were the best ones; Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones; but these days Matthew is as likely to be found dancing to Detroit techno as he is listening to The Beatles.

Matthew recently relocated from Wales to Nottingham where he is currently putting together a band for live shows and future recordings.

FRIENDLY FIRE

Matthew Jay
'Friendly Fire' EP

Matthew Jay's second EP 'Friendly Fire,' is released on 8th May on Food Records.

21 year old Matthew Jay lives in Nottingham but grew up in South Wales. Signed to Food Records last year, his first release was the 'Four Songs' EP released in January this year to widespread acclaim. 'Please Don't Send Me Away,' the EP's lead track was a Mark and Lard Record of the Week on Radio One.

The buzz surrounding Matthew looks set to gather speed with the release of four more gorgeous songs. 'Always Going Too Soon' is a pure crystalline pop classic; 'Sunday' shoots along on an accordion-laced groove; 'Heading Out' is all echoes and sweet harmonies; and the bittersweet 'Roadside' ends the EP as strongly as it began.

'Matthew writes songs full of an easy grace and sweetly melodic, heart-tugging suss. Think Dave Grohl singing 'White Album'-era Beatles hits at Bob Dylan's pace,' Melody Maker.

'This boy has burning potential and an ear for McCartney-esque melody,' The Guardian

Following a support slot on Shelby Lynne's UK tour, Matthew Jay will play The Spot Bar, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2 on the following dates:-

Tuesday May 9th
Tuesday May 23rd

Visit the Food Records web site at www.foodrecords.com

PLEASE DON'T SEND ME AWAY

Currently C-listed at Radio One, 'Please Don't Send Me Away' is another gem of a song from rising star Matthew Jay. Setting a deep and dark lyrical theme against a spine-tingling melody, 'Please Don't…' is further proof of Matthew Jay's huge songwriting talent. Look out for an amazing remix from Bent on the commercial CD.

22 year old Matthew Jay grew up in Abergavenny, South Wales. Encouraged by his folk musician parents, Matthew has been playing the guitar and singing almost from birth. 'Please Don't Send Me Away' is taken from Matthew's enchanting new album 'Draw,' which is out now.

Matthew undertakes his first headling tour this June:

June
Tuesday 12th Newcastle, University
Wednesday 13th Wolverhampton, Little Civic
Thursday 14th Cambridge, Boat Race
Friday 15th Bristol, Louisiana
Saturday 16th Cardiff, Barfly
Monday 18th Norwich, Arts Centre
Tuesday 19th London, Barfly
Wednesday 20th Liverpool, Lomax
Thursday 21st Leeds, Cockpit/Rocket

Praise for 'Draw…'

'Like Badly Drawn Boy, Jay wrenches beautifully eccentric melodies from acoustic-rooted sensibilities…there's a very natural, unassuming talent of great proportions here.' 8/10 NME
'For a slice of pop heaven, look no further than 'Draw,' The Sunday Times.
'Sublime, each song is coated with a varnish of nostalgia and tears,' The Guardian.
'…Stunning.' 4/5 Q

CALL MY NAME OUT

A gorgeous, hook-filled song about the girl with the 'crooked smile,' 'Call My Name Out' is the brilliant third single from Matthew Jay's acclaimed debut album 'Draw.'

Since the release of 'Draw,' 22 year old Matthew jay has been quietly building up a fine reputation. His last single, 'Please Don't Send Me Away' was C-listed at Radio 1, and his debut solo UK tour in June was a huge success. Matthew has recently been busy travelling to and from America, where he's been touring with Doves - and going down a storm.

Starsailor have invited Matthew Jay to support them on their European tour this autumn. The UK dates are:

October
Sun 14th Leeds Metropolitan University
Mon 15th Hull University
Tue 16th Bristol, The Rock
Wed 17th Oxford Brooks University
Fri 19th Portsmouth, Pyramids
Sat 20th Liverpool, L2
Sun 21st Lancaster University Sugarhouse
Tue 23RD Glasgow QMU
Wed 24th Perth City Hall
Thu 25th Newcastle University
Fri 26th Sheffield Octagon
Sun 28th Nottingham Rock City
Mon 29th Norwich UEA
Tue 30th Birmingham Academy
November
Thu 1st London Forum
Fri 2nd Manchester Academy

DRAW

Using the acoustic guitar as his starting point, Matthew Jay has crafted an album of remarkable depth and intelligence. Sometimes he throws loops and samples into the mix, other times the sound is stripped right down to the bare bones of just a voice and a guitar, but what always shines through is Matthew's gift for melody. Even with some startlingly profound lyrics and recurring themes of life and death, 'Draw' never sounds mournful, it's a wonderfully uplifting record.

Matthew is 22 years old and grew up in a small town in South Wales, where his interest in music was nurtured from an early age by his folk musician parents. 'Draw' was recorded in Nottingham and New York.

'Like Badly Drawn Boy, Jay wrenches beautifully eccentric melodies from acoustic-rooted sensibilities. But like Elliott Smith, there's a very natural, unassuming talent of great proportionshere.' NME, 'Draw' 8/10

'Stunning' Q 4 stars.

Catch Matthew live:
Sunday 8th April Nottingham, The Social
Monday 9th April The Borderline, London W1 (with Sparklehorse)
Wednesday 11th April Barfly at The Monarch, London NW1
Thursday 12th April Barfly Cymru, Cardiff