BADBADNOTGOOD co-founder Matthew Tavares on leaving the band: "The environment was so negative"

13 December 2021, 11:39 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(BADBADNOTGOOD)

Matthew Tavares, former BADBADNOTGOOD keyboardist and co-founder, has shared a post about his departure from the band in 2019, and how the "environment was so negative".

Tavares' post, shared on Instagram over the weekend, follows BADBADNOTGOOD's October album Talk Memory and their recent Skiifall collaboration "Break of Dawn", and saw him write about his experrience with the band, and his departure in 2019.

The former BADBADNOTGOOD keyboardist and co-founder wrote, "I realize I’ve never really publicly talked about leaving BADBAD in anyway other than my post about it two years ago. A post that I spent a lot of time mulling over to make sure it seemed balanced and inoffensive and gave an honest perspective into how hard of a decision it was for me to leave. Unfortunately Alex and BBNG’s management didn't agree, and I was unfollowed from their Instagram shortly after. Of course not without them commenting an emoji heart on my post to make sure no-one caught on and it was all ‘good vibes’. This is a small microcosm of what it was like to be in BADBAD the 9 years I was in the band."

After describing the band's level of fame, he continued, "The environment was so negative that all this didn't matter, I needed to get out, I couldn't take it anymore."

"Their new biography on their bandcamp doesn’t even mention my name," Tavares wrote. "When I was about to leave I was told by management to play along to this narrative so they don’t sacrifice their XL Record deal, and I did, but the record is out now and I can tell that the story will not be set straight by them."

Tavares added, "While of course I can feel resentment and jealousy about not being on some big label or having the exposure of the band anymore, I have my freedom and I have love and I am surrounded by people who I respect and who respect me. It’s an incredible feeling. Do not assume I’m writing this from some angry place. I feel really grounded and happy, but I need to live honestly. I am unfortunately still afraid of BBNG. They have so many resources, so much legal power, a huge instagram following and are on one of the biggest labels in the world. That’s why it’s taken me so long to post it. But I can’t let my fear get in the way anymore."