Industrial/techno musician Silent Servant (aka John Juan Mendez) has died, his management confirmed to Resident Advisor. While a cause of death has not been revealed, RA reports that Mendez is believed to have died in the same incident as The Soft Moon’s Luis Vasquez and Mendez’s partner, Simone Ling.
Mendez has been making music for over 30 years. He was a member of the techno collective Sandwell District alongside Regis, Female and Function; he co-founded the Jealous God label; he had a monthly NTS Radio show; and as Silent Servant, he released two full-length albums and tons of EPs and singles. He’s also been a prolific DJ in addition to all his production work.
Tributes to Mendez have come in from Daniel Avery, Primal Scream’s Simone Marie Butler, The Blessed Madonna, HEALTH, Cold Cave, and several others. Read some tributes below.
Rest in peace, Juan.
https://twitter.com/danielmarkavery/status/1748313427783663867
https://twitter.com/Blessed_Madonna/status/1748336643495415978
so sad to hear that Juan mendez aka Silent Servant has passed away. He was such an inspiring artist . He made such brilliant electronic and techno, intricate , hypnotic and emotionally charged . Deepest condolences to his close loved ones and all who knew him in music
💜🕯— simone marie (@simonemarie4) January 19, 2024
Terrible News.
RIP Luis Soft Moon
RIP Juan Silent Servant— COLD CAVE (@ColdCave23) January 19, 2024
Rest In Peace to my friends Luis and Juan, also known as THE SOFT MOON and SILENT SERVANT. You will be truly missed. pic.twitter.com/IF8aOlycq2
— HEALTH (@_HEALTH_) January 19, 2024
Absolutely devastated that Juan, aka Silent Servant, is dead. A kind, funny, warm and talented human whose work inspired me beyond belief – I will forever be grateful for the privilege to have been a small part of his journey and him having been part of mine. Rest in Power. pic.twitter.com/n8B8fE134Q
— Michail aka Opium Hum (@opiumhum) January 19, 2024
I am stunned and saddened to learn that Juan Mendez (Silent Servant / member of Sandwell District) has died. A truly original and gifted producer of electronic music. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/sXnVi34ALI
— The Soft Pink Truth (@xSoftPinkTruthx) January 19, 2024
Terribly saddened to hear about the passing of Luis from Soft Moon & Juan Silent Servant. Two giants of their world gone far too soon.
— Not Dead Yet? (@notdeadyetTO) January 19, 2024
Juan Silent Servant, one of the kindest souls we encountered in music and beyond.. an incredibly sad loss 💔
— PAN (@PAN_hq) January 19, 2024
rip silent servant 💔
— Boomkat.com (@boomkatonline) January 19, 2024
devastated to hear the news Juan Silent Servant has passed away. He gave me a sold out copy of Negative Fascination from the US all the way to fabric one time – I will never forget that, he didn't want a penny for it either, I love that album – Juan will be sorely missed
— Rob Booth (@robbooth) January 19, 2024