Luis Vasquez Obituary – Luis Vasquez, the driving force behind the post-punk/darkwave project known as the Soft Moon, passed away in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 44, as confirmed by the L.A. County coroner. The official social media accounts of the Soft Moon posted about his death, although no specific cause was mentioned in the statement.
Vasquez’s passing is connected to two other deaths that occurred at a private residence in Los Angeles. The coroner identified these individuals as John “Juan” Mendez, a renowned techno DJ from Los Angeles who also recorded under the name Silent Servant, and Simone Ling, who was reportedly Mendez’s partner. Reports confirm Mendez’s death, but the cause of death for all three individuals has not been confirmed by the coroner. A statement on the Soft Moon’s Facebook page expressed deep sadness over the loss of their dear friend, Luis Vasquez. They extended their condolences to his family, friends, and the larger music community, while also requesting privacy during this challenging time. The statement emphasized the significant impact of Vasquez’s death and the profound grief felt by the band.
Initially, the Soft Moon started as a home-recording project by Vasquez, but it eventually gained popularity as a post-punk/darkwave project. The hypnotic sounds of their music, originally intended for Vasquez and a small circle of friends, garnered a dedicated fan base worldwide. The Soft Moon had the opportunity to tour with notable acts like Depeche Mode, Interpol, and Mogwai, and they released a total of five albums. Last year, they performed at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, showcasing their talent to a wider audience.