The news was confirmed by the influential LA-based DJ and producer’s management today (19 January).
Silent Servant – aka John Juan Mendez – has passed away. The Sandwell District artist’s death was confirmed in an email sent to Resident Advisor by his management Triangle Agency. The cause of death has not yet been shared.
Last year, Mendez released In Memoriam via Tresor – an EP described as a “deeply personal memoir of a 30-plus year career spent exploring and absorbing the shadowy side of music”.
Known under his Silent Servant alias, Mendez formed part of Sandwell District collective from 2002 until 2011 when the trio parted ways. Following this, he co-founded the label Jealous God with Regis and James Ruskin. Over the years, Mendez released work on imprints including Cititrax, Hospital Productions and BITE and held a long-running residency on NTS with his Optimist Decay show. In addition to his musical output, Mendez was an art director and photographer.
Earlier this week, a new Sandwell District compilation, entitled WHERE NEXT ?, was announced. In light of the news of Mendez’s passing, artists and fans have been paying their dues to the legendary electronic artist. Read a selection of tributes below.
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
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
rip silent servant 💔
— Boomkat.com (@boomkatonline) 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
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
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
