Sandwell District member and techno artist Silent Servant has died

Silent Servant, a techno producer and member of Sandwell District, has died.

The death of the Los Angeles-based DJ and producer – real name John Juan Mendez – was confirmed by his management to Resident Advisor today (January 19).

Though a cause of death has not yet been confirmed, Resident Advisor report that Luis Vasquez (aka the artist The Soft Moon) and Mendez’s partner, Simone Ling, died in the same unidentified incident.

As well as his work as Silent Servant and as a member of Sandwell District, Mendez hosted a monthly show on NTS Radio and worked as a photographer and director.

Leading tributes to Mendez was Daniel Avery, who wrote on X (Twitter): “I once asked Silent Servant what a record was as he was playing a reliably beautiful set. The next time I saw Juan he had bought me my own copy of the vinyl. An amazing artist and incredibly gentle guy. RIP to a true one.”

I once asked Silent Servant what a record was as he was playing a reliably beautiful set. The next time I saw Juan he had bought me my own copy of the vinyl. An amazing artist and incredibly gentle guy. RIP to a true one

— Daniel Avery (@danielmarkavery) January 19, 2024

Primal Scream’s Simone Marie Butler added: “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.”

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

Also paying tribute was The Blessed Madonna, who wrote: “RIP Juan Silent Servant, whose music has been a fixture in my life and my husband’s for as long as I can remember. I’m immensely grateful for the pleasure of booking Juan at Smartbar and seeing him play many times. Love to everyone who is in deep grief today.”

RIP Juan Silent Servant, whose music has been a fixture in my life and my husband’s for as long as I can remember. I’m immensely grateful for the pleasure of booking Juan at Smartbar and seeing him play many times. Love to everyone who is in deep grief today. 🖤

— The Blessed Madonna (@Blessed_Madonna) January 19, 2024

See a range of tributes to John Juan Mendez below.

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

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 / Opium Hum / Hyper Real (@opiumhum) January 19, 2024

rip silent servant 💔

— Boomkat.com (@boomkatonline) 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

Goodbye John Juan Mendez, AKA Silent Servant loved working with you, you’ll be missed by many.

— TheBlackDog (@TheBlackDog) 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