Published
Fri, Aug 11, 2023, 16:00
- The Los Angeles-born artist passed away earlier this week.
![Alland Byallo, veteran DJ, producer and cofounder of legendary San Francisco party [KONTROL], has died image](https://imgproxy.ra.co/_/quality:66/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmEuY28vaW1hZ2VzL25ld3MvMjAyMy9hbGxhbmQtYnlhbGxvLXJpcC5qcGc=)
Alland Byallo, long-running DJ, producer, promoter, label owner and art director, has died aged 44.
In a statement shared with Mixmag, Byallo's family and friends said the Berlin-based artist "passed away early this week of natural causes." According to 5Mag, he died suddenly at home after feeling ill the previous day.
"We're in the process of arranging a memorial to celebrate Alland's life and the impact he had on all of us," the Mixmag statement continued. "We will be sharing more information soon. During this difficult time, let's come together to support each other and cherish the moments we shared with him."
Born in Los Angeles in 1979, Byallo discovered electronic music in the early '90s. He landed a job at former LA store WAX Records, before relocating to San Francisco in 2003. There, he began DJing more locally and internationally, and he also launched a label, Nightlight Music, and cofounded a well-known monthly party at The EndUp called [KONTROL], which ran from 2005 through 2012. He played alongside Zip, Daniel Bell, Cassy and countless others.
In 2010, Byallo moved to Berlin. By this point he'd put out EPs on key labels like Poker Flat and liebe*detail, as well as his debut album, Brick By Brick, on Nightlight. In 2013, he followed this up with a full-length on Third Ear called Bones, Flesh. In 2019, he set up another label, Full Bleed, which has released six EPs. The most recent one, Fill Light Shine, landed in February.
On the collaborative front, Byallo teamed up with Dave Aju, Kenneth Scott and Marc Smith as KAMM, releasing an album through Paris label Circus Company in 2020, among other records. All four artists had roots in San Francisco's house and techno scene.
As well as a musician, Byallo was a graphic designer and art director. According to Linked In, he worked at Beatport in Berlin from 2017 until June 2023.
Last month, 5Mag published what is likely Byallo's final interview, conducted by Will Sumsuch. He ended on this inspirational quote.
"General advice new cats should hear: learn the history. Dig deep and learn why you're able to do what you're doing with such ease now. It's important, and will only make your world bigger, brighter, more rewarding and honourable. Read the books, dig through the records, enjoy the process. You'll get so much more out of creative life if you're not racing to be a star. I mean sure, shoot for the stars but know that very few make it to a point where they don't have to consider other careers, backup plans. Don't paint yourself into a corner. And finally stay cool, honest, ethical and don't burn anybody to get somewhere."
Listen to Byallo's most recent EP, and read some tributes from across the electronic music scene.
Update: August 13th: This piece has been updated with Alland Byallo's age and birth year.