Akiko Matsuura is the mother of Archie Heaton. Being a single mother is challenging, and Akiko Matsuura, the drummer of The Big Pink, understands it very well. She is taking care of her son, Archie, all on her own. Archie’s father is Charlie Heaton, known for his role in the TV show “Stranger Things.”
Akiko Matsuura, a musician from Japan, had a childhood full of solitude, but she developed a passion for music at an early age and wished to become a famous drummer.
She made her path with her husband, Charlie Heaton, through their love for music, but unfortunately, their romantic relationship did not go well, and they separated their ways.
Now, she is raising their son, Archie Heaton, in London, far away from her own family in Japan and Charlie Heaton in America. Here in this article, we have discussed everything you should know about his ex-girlfriend and wife.
Key Points Covered in The Article
- Akiko Matsuura, the drummer of The Big Pink, is a single mother raising her son, Archie, alone. Archie’s father is Charlie Heaton, known for his role in “Stranger Things.”
- Akiko Matsuura grew up in Osaka, Japan, and developed a passion for music at a young age. She wanted to become a famous drummer.
- She joined bands like Comanechi, The Big Pink, PRE, and Sperm Javelin, showcasing her musical talents and unique style.
- Akiko and Charlie Heaton had a romantic relationship and played together in the band Comanechi. They became parents to their son, Archie Heaton, in 2014. They later separated.
- Akiko Matsuura is dedicated to her music career with The Big Pink while raising her son. She finds inspiration in her son’s growth and focuses on her goals.
- Being a single mother and pursuing a music career poses challenges, but Akiko’s resilience and determination serve as an inspiration.
- Charlie Heaton is known for his role in “Stranger Things” and has continued his acting career. He is currently in a relationship with his co-star Natalia Dyer.
- Akiko Matsuura and Charlie Heaton maintain a friendly relationship and share similar parenting thoughts despite their separation.
- Akiko’s story highlights the importance of balancing personal and professional responsibilities while pursuing dreams and serves as an inspiration for single parents and aspiring musicians.
Meet Akiko Matsuura
Akiko Matsuura is a talented musician from Japan. She was born on November 2, 1980, and is passionate about playing the drums, guitar, and singing.
She grew up in Osaka, and her parents had a restaurant that kept them busy. As a result of which, Akiko didn’t have much time to spend with them during her childhood. Her older brother usually went out with his friends and left her alone at home.
Akiko Matsuura’s Journey in Music
When Akiko was six years old, her life changed after watching a TV show about a female drummer in a rock band. She was inspired by the drummer, she wanted to play the drums too, but she was too young to learn then.
Undeterred, Akiko started playing the piano when she was six and finally began drum lessons at the age of ten. As she grew older, she supported her parents in running their restaurant.
She became perfect at preparing various dishes when she turned 16.
As a teenager, Akiko found the music of American and British rock bands. Her dream of becoming a drummer was never wasted, so she continued her passion while studying art.
Her parents realized her dedication to music, and at the age of 18, she was allowed to attend a university in England.
Singing and Drumming Career
Akiko’s journey in the music world started when she met Simon Petrovich, a guitarist, at a friend’s party while she was still studying. They both shared a love for music and decided to start a band together.
That’s how Comanechi came out to be their band. However, the band faced challenges and struggled to gain fame in its early years. During this time, Akiko also became the drummer for an electronic rock band called The Big Pink.
Comanechi, the band, released their first album, “Crime of Love,” and after some time, Charlie Heaton, who became a star on “Stranger Things,” entered the band as a drummer, along with their last member, Patsy.
However, due to disagreements among the band members, Comanechi went on a permanent break in 2013.
After that, Matsuura joined another British band called Pre, which is also known for its noisy rock music. Her beautiful performances on stage helped the band gain name and fame. Whereas she is a part of Pre, she is no longer a member of The Big Pink.
Introducing “Keeks,” the Rocker
Akiko Matsuura, also known as “Keeks,” is a talented musician who realized her dreams of being a rocker musician.
She joined many different bands, like Comanechi, The Big Pink, PRE, and Sperm Javelin, where she showed her unique style and musical abilities.
Comanechi, a rock band started in London, became one of Keeks’ experiences.
They played in the underground scene, released music through indie labels, and travelled worldwide. Keeks change from a drummer to a vocalist, showing her talents.
Apart from Comanechi, Matsuura shared her voice with another London-based band called PRE. In this no-wave band, she took on the roles of both drummer and singer.
Keeks gained attention for her strange performances, which included wearing only underwear on stage.
The Big Pink, an electro-rock band that appeared in London in 2007, achieved massive success within the music field. They had the chance to open famous shows like Muse and Florence & The Machine.
Although many people remember The Big Pink for their song “Dominos,” they took a break after Milo Cordell left the group in 2014.
After almost ten years, they released a new single called “No Angels” in April 2022 and captured them again. This was their first new song after their “Future This” album in 2012.
As Keeks’ music career grew, her relationship with her parents became complicated.
However, there was a moment when she played the drums for The Big Pink at a festival in Osaka in 2009, and her parents felt proud of her and showed tears of joy.
Akiko Matsuura’s Connection with Charlie Heaton
Apart from her successful music career, Akiko Matsuura is also known for her relationship with actor Charlie Heaton from the popular TV show “Stranger Things.”
The ex-couple had a musical connection as well. They played together in the band Comanechi in 2013, with Charlie Heaton on the drums and Matsuura as the lead singer and guitarist.
No matter if their age difference is 14 years, they lived just “five minutes away” from each other and created a romantic relationship.
In 2014, Matsuura and Charlie Heaton became parents to their son, Archie. Heaton was only 20 years old at the time.
The details about when and why Matsuura and Heaton ended their relationship are unclear. Still, Heaton left the band Comanechi around 2015.
It’s important to know that Charlie Heaton continued an acting career with his music. He got his first acting opportunity in a Swiss insurance company advertisement in 2014, aiming to earn more money than he made from music.
Now, Charlie Heaton is in a relationship with his “Stranger Things” co-star Natalia Dyer. He divides his time between London and America, where Matsuura and their son Archie live.
Charlie Heaton: Akiko Matsuura’s Well-Known Ex-Partner
Charlie Heaton is most famous for his role as Jonathan in the popular TV series “Stranger Things,” but his career is beyond that.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, one of his highest-rated works is the drama film “No Future.” At the same time, “Shut In” received a lower rating.
Charlie Heaton was born in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, and later moved to London as a teenager to live with his father. It was during this time that he became involved with the band Comanechi.
He contributed to one of their albums and went on tour with them before deciding to continue his acting.
In 2015, Charlie Heaton played his first role in the movie “Urban & The Shed Crew.”
He continued to secure a number of acting projects, including a role in the BBC One series “Casualty,” until he achieved success as a regular cast member of “Stranger Things.”
What Can We Learn About Akiko Matsuura and Charlie Heaton’s Son?
Though they become famous, Charlie Heaton and Akiko Matsuura like to keep the facts about their child. In a tweet from June 2022, Matsuura said that her son, Archie, taught her about unconditional and everlasting true love.
In the spirit of our upcoming single ‘love spins on its axis’ we speak to band member Keeks about what being in love means to her.
— The Big Pink (@thebigpink) June 23, 2022
“True love is unconditional and everlasting. I’ve learnt true love from giving birth to my son Archie 8 years ago, also death of my father last year” pic.twitter.com/VhT456x8lE
Matsuura, a single mother, shared that her experiences with her parents when she was a child have influenced how she cares for her son. She works hard to make a strong bond with Archie by adding:
“When he goes through some hard times in his life, I want to be there for him. I want him to feel comfortable talking to me about anything openly at any stage of his age.”
And had realized that she was not prepared to become a mom when he was born. Her main focus was on her career during her teenage and young days.
Financial stability was also a challenge for Matsuura. In the early days of her pregnancy, she lived near a railway track in a shipping container that she changed into a studio.
When she was seven months pregnant, she migrated to an emergency bedsit hostel, where they stayed for more than a year until Archie was 11 months old.
Matsuura said the hostel was like a prison because visitors were not allowed there. After some time, she and Heaton ended their relationship and parted ways in their life.
Due to the pandemic, Heaton could not visit London to see Archie for more than a year. Matsuura said that although Heaton was not physically present, they maintained a friendly relationship.
Matsuura and Heaton share similar parenting thoughts, and he enjoys how she raised their son. However, the time without his presence during the pandemic showed the challenges of being a single parent.
What Is Akiko Matsuura Up to These Days?
Along with caring for her son Archie, Matsuura is currently committed to her music career with The Big Pink.
She manages to rehearse with the band, whereas Archie is at school, and their release of “No Angels” in April 2022 shows that everything is going well.
Apart from playing the drums, Akiko Matsuura also played the role of designing the band’s artwork. She looks ahead to watching her son’s growth and finding his special someone.
Final Words
Akiko Matsuura’s story encapsulates the multifaceted nature of her life as a single mother and accomplished musician. As she navigates the challenges of raising her son, Archie, on her own, she simultaneously channels her passion and talent into her music career with The Big Pink. Despite the end of her relationship with Charlie Heaton, Akiko’s unwavering commitment to her son and musical aspirations is a testament to her resilience and determination.
Her journey exemplifies the strength required to balance personal and professional responsibilities while remaining steadfast in pursuing one’s dreams. Akiko Matsuura’s story is a source of inspiration for single parents and aspiring musicians alike, reminding us that with perseverance and dedication, overcoming obstacles and creating a fulfilling life on one’s terms is possible.
FAQs
What happened between Akiko Matsuura and Charlie Heaton?
Unfortunately, Charlie and Akiko ended their relationship when their son Archie was only a few months old. However, they remained friends for raising their son. Archie lives with his mother, but Charlie visits them regularly. Charlie Heaton was born in Bridlington, UK.
Are Charlie Heaton and Akiko married?
No, they were not married, but they have a son together named Archie Heaton. Archie was born in 2014, although the exact date of birth is not known.
Are Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton still together?
Yes, Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton, who plays Nancy and Jonathan in Stranger Things, are still in a relationship and usually appear together at events.
Does Jonathan from Stranger Things have a child?
Charlie Heaton has a child named Archie with his ex-bandmate Akiko Matsuura. Since 2016, he has been dating his Stranger Things co-star Natalia Dyer, who played the role of Nancy Wheeler in the series.
When did Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton start dating?
Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer’s romantic relationship started after the premiere of Stranger Things in July 2016. They changed from being on-screen partners to real-life couples.
How long have Charlie Heaton and Natalia been together?
After working together for two years, rumours of a relationship between Natalia and Heaton started due to their public appearances. After that year, it was confirmed that they were dating.
How old was Charlie Heaton when he was married?
At the time, Charlie was 20 years old, and Akiko was 32. They had their son in 2014, which led some fans to talk about the age gap and the chance of marriage.
Are any of the Stranger Things cast members dating in real life?
Yes, Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton, who plays Nancy and Jonathan in Stranger Things, are a couple both on and off the screen. Their real-life romance grew after working together on the show.
Who is Nancy dating in Stranger Things?
In Stranger Things, Nancy Wheeler is performed by Natalia Dyer, and her character’s love is Jonathan Byers, performed by Charlie Heaton. Natalia and Charlie started dating right after the premiere of the show in 2016.
