Luis Vasquez Dies: The Soft Moon Creative One Of Three Found Dead In L.A. Home At 44

Bruce Haring

January 20, 2024 at 11:24 a.m.·1 min read

Luis Vasquez, the driving force behind post-punk/darkwave project the Soft Moon, died in Los Angeles early Friday at age 44, according to the L.A. County coroner.

A post on the Soft Moon’s official social media accounts confirmed the death, but no cause was given in the statement.

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Vasquez’s death is related to two other deaths at the Los Angeles private residence. Those two individuals were identified by the coroner as 46-year-old John “Juan” Mendez — a noted Los Angeles techno DJ also who recorded under the name Silent Servant, whose death was confirmed by his management, according to reports — and 43-year-old Simone Ling, who was reportedly Mendez’s partner. The coroner did not confirm the cause of death for any of the individuals.

“It is with great sadness that we announce our dear friend, Luis Vasquez has passed away,” read a statement on the Soft Moon’s Facebook page. “Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends and extended music family. We ask to respect their privacy during this difficult time…This is a huge loss and our hearts are broken.”

Vasquez started the Soft Moon as a home-recording project that evolved into a popular post-punk/darkwave project. The music, originally intended only for Vasquez and a few friends, instead saw its hypnotic sounds establish a worldwide fan base.

The Soft Moon toured with such acts as Depeche Mode, Interpol, and Mogwai, and released five albums.

Last year, the Soft Moon played the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena.

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