Cerys Matthews

Time was when the public couldn't get enough of Cerys Matthews. The public face of Catatonia, for a time she was everywhere: on every TV show, in every magazine, all over the front page.

Then, as suddenly as they arrived, Catatonia were out of the public eye. Amid rumours of bust-ups, breakdowns and a band out of control, the public's love affair with Cerys and co waned. And, for many, Cerys was Catatonia: the public face and everything that was unique about them.

Which was both a blessing and a curse for Cerys.

While she was the memorable, distinctive one, many had tired of her voice and her antics on the London party scene. Following the high point of International Velvet, the later Catatonia releases died a commercial death, and their protracted demise was painful to watch.

Cerys Matthews was born in Cardiff on 11 April 1969. Her father was a surgeon, and the family moved around Wales several times - first to Swansea and later to Pembrokeshire. It was during school holidays there that she first developed her interest in music, by picking up an acoustic guitar and playing Beatles songs and Welsh folk numbers.

After leaving school, she spent some time nannying in Barcelona and studying psychiatric nursing, before returning to Wales. She met Mark Roberts in 1992 in Cardiff, and the fledgling Catatonia was born.

Following their years of success and the band's split, Cerys began to take life easier. Her first solo recording was the theme for the S4C children's show Sali Mali. And in March 2002 she appeared at the Radio 2 Folk Awards to perform a duet with Eliza Carthy.

In May 2003 she returned to the spotlight with the release of her debut solo album, the country-tinged Cockahoop. Cut adrift from mainstream musical trends, and produced by Bob Dylan's producer Bucky Baxter, it was a delightful and playful collection that proved hers was no fleeting talent.