Album tells the story of Matt’s cancer battle

WE at the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald were hugely saddened to report last week of the death of our former news editor, Matt Bates, after he lost his battle with a rare form of kidney cancer on 28th October.

Although he was only 27, Matt had achieved much in his short life, this includes a remarkable album of music, Fightback, which has been released posthumously.

It is an incredibly poignant collection of 13 songs — full of love and hope, that sound not unlike something Thom Yorke from Radiohead might have made.

You can buy the album from Matt’s website: www.matt-bates.co.uk

On the website, Matt talks about his music, and we will hand over to him to describe how Fightback was made: “October marks two years since I was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer at the age of 25. But it also marks two years since the start of something else just as significant — the start of a fightback.

“Music plays a big part in all our lives and I’m no different. But for me — since that diagnosis — music has inserted a special drive in me to achieve something; to focus on something that is both positive and honest.

“It all started with a trip to my dad’s home studio. I’ve written and recorded songs in there for a long time but never about something like cancer. But that’s what I felt like I needed to write about. I felt like I needed to get it out of my system.

“The heap of emotions I’ve felt about the disease could have become too much for me to bear but not in there.

“That space gave me the chance to pick up my guitar and pen, and just see what happened.

And the result? Any dark feelings I might have had inside were replaced by positive thoughts only, and a handful of songs that represented how I felt about my situation.

“In the end I managed 13 songs: some that chronicle dark moments, most that chronicle good, and a handful more that just tell their own story. But each and every one of them I’m proud of.

Because they represent my fightback — a tough fight and a long one against what is a horrible disease.

“But what this CD has become is my legacy for that fight. And so with that in mind, I think it’s time I shared it with the world.” Matt’s funeral is due to take place next week.

Matt’s funeral takes place in Leamington tomorrow, Wednesday, 16th November.