Published
Fri, Jan 19, 2024, 11:40
- Mendez's management confirmed the news earlier today.
Los Angeles-based DJ and producer John Juan Mendez, AKA Silent Servant, has died.
Mendez's management, Triangle Agency, confirmed the news in an email sent to Resident Advisor earlier today, January 19th. The cause of death wasn't disclosed, but Mendez's partner, Simone Ling, and Luis Vasquez, AKA darkwave musician The Soft Moon, are believed to have died in the same incident.
A prominent figure in electronic music for over 30 years, LA-based Mendez is best known as a member of era-defining techno collective Sandwell District alongside Regis, Female and Function.
After Sandwell District disbanded in 2011, Mendez launched the Jealous God label with Regis and James Ruskin, releasing records from the likes of Varg, Phase Fatale and Black Merlin.
Mendez's own music came out on labels such as Cititrax, BITE and Hospital Productions. His final solo record was November EP In Memoriam, released through Tresor. A new Sandwell District compilation, WHERE NEXT ?, was also announced earlier this week.
On the DJ front, Mendez was a regular at some of the world's best techno clubs, including Berghain, Tresor, Bassiani and KHIDI. He was scheduled to perform in Phoenix, Arizona, tonight.
Mendez was also a huge fan of new wave, minimal synth and industrial music, genres he would play regularly on his monthly NTS Radio show. Away from electronic music, he was an experienced art director and photographer.
Read some tributes, and revisit our interview feature from 2017.
Update, January 19th: This article was updated to include mentions of Simone Ling and Luis Vasquez.