In Memoriam / Silent Servant

 Juan Mendez aka Silent Servant passed away.

I know Silent Servant thanks to Rødhåd. Years ago, I came across a series called "What's In My Bag?" by Amoeba Record Store in Hollywood. There was an episode Rødhåd. I love Rødhåd so I watched the episode. During the interview, Rødhåd mentioned that he bumped into Silent Servant downstairs & that he was into movie soundtracks.

   

I was familiar with the name but I wasn't familiar with his work. I didn't know what a legend he was. 

A few days after his passing, I came across his 'In Memoriam' EP released on Tresor Records. I was so impressed that I asked myself: "Why didn't I listen to his music before?" 

M-87 reminded me of Depeche Mode. Poppy synths, deep, dark & powerful vocal which is very close to Dave Gahan's vocal & industrial sounds. It feels like a mixture of 'Strangelove', 'People Are People', 'Personal Jesus', 'Everything Counts' & 'Enjoy the Silence'. 

M-90 & M-99 have that Berghain sound we all know & love. M-90 reminds me of the legendary Ben Klock - Subzero. Even the vinyl has that Ostgut Ton look. 🤍🖤

M-99 has a powerful message for all of us: "Don't forget who you are!".

Sometimes, life's problems make us forget who we are. Tracks like this have the power to take us back to ourselves.

Just look into your heart my friend. That will be the return to yourself. The return to innocence. 

 - Enigma 

The detail that blows my mind the most is Silent Servant releasing the album & naming it 'In Memoriam' approximately 2 months before passing away. 

I remember when Hapësira booked Silent Servant to play at Rilindja Warehouse XVIII in 2020. The event was cancelled due to COVID-19. It would've been Silent Servant's first gig here in Kosovo.

It's sad that we couldn't have him play here while he was here!! :( Times like these remind us that we shouldn't take no one & nothing for granted. 

If you want to hang out, go to festivals & record stores with your friends & surprise them with vinyls, do it! If you want to listen to your favorite singers & DJs live, do it! We never know when it's going to be the last time. 

It would've been so special if i discovered Silent Servant at Rilindja Warehouse, my favorite venue where i spent some of the best nights of my life & discovered most of the artists i love, like: Diah, Ana Malo, Dasha Rush, SHDW & Obscure Shape, Rødhåd, Alex.Do ❤️😊 I discovered Rødhåd thanks to Hapësira. Years after, i discovered Silent Servant thanks to Rødhåd. Everything is connected. ❤️😊

by Andy Meka [KS Clubbing]