The Soft Moon Explained

The Soft Moon
Birth Name:Jose Luis Vasquez
Alias:Luis Vasquez
Birth Date:30 May 1979
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Landscape:yes
Origin:Oakland, California, U.S.
Years Active:1990s–2024

Jose Luis Vasquez (May 30, 1979 – January 18, 2024),[1] known professionally as the Soft Moon, was an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer. Vasquez was the lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and sole official member of the Soft Moon, which he founded in 2009.

Early life

Vasquez was born in Los Angeles, California, to a Cuban immigrant mother, and to a Mexican father who was never present in his life. At the age of nine, the family relocated to Victorville, California, a town in the Mojave Desert.[2]

As a teenager, Vasquez started out playing punk rock inspired by Descendents, Bad Religion, Bad Brains, Fugazi and Minor Threat.[3] After graduating from Hesperia High School, he moved to Oakland, California where he briefly played in San Francisco-based psychedelic band Lumerians as a percussionist.[4]

Career

As Luis Vasquez, he created the Soft Moon project in 2009, and shortly after, Brooklyn-based label Captured Tracks approached him with a record deal. In 2010 his first single "Breathe The Fire" and "Parallels" were released on 7" vinyl under the Captured Tracks imprint.[5] [6] His first album with the Soft Moon was released in 2010 and the band toured in 2011, opening in the US for Interpol and Mogwai.[7] [8]

In 2012, Vasquez was robbed at gunpoint while walking in his Oakland neighborhood, and his backpack with a laptop containing a finished album and two years' worth of demos were stolen.[9] In October of that year, the Soft Moon released its second album, Zeros.[10]

He moved abroad to Venice, Italy in 2013 to write his third album, Deeper, which was released in 2015.[11] The album's lead single, "Black", earned Best New Track honors from Pitchfork.[12] While writing the album, The Soft Moon opened for Depeche Mode on a European leg of their Delta Machine Tour in 2014.[13]

The Soft Moon was scheduled to open for Killing Joke's 2016 North American tour, but Killing Joke canceled because of a band member's illness.[14] During a performance in Oakland on January 29, 2016, the band's van was broken into, with luggage, recording equipment, records and merchandise stolen.[15]

The Soft Moon's fourth album, Criminal, was released in 2018 and was recorded in a basement studio in Vasquez's new home city of Berlin. It was his first album on Sacred Bones Records.[16] [17]

The Soft Moon's fifth and final album, Exister, was released on September 23, 2022.[18] The Soft Moon performed at Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands on April 20, 2023, and the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, California, on May 20.[19] [20]

Vasquez announced via The Soft Moon's social media, that he was creating an original score for a short film entitled, Pumpkin Guts.[21] The film was written and directed by Bryan M. Ferguson, who also directed the music video for Exister single, Monster.[22]

Death

Vasquez died on January 18, 2024, at age 44, alongside techno DJ Silent Servant (John Juan Mendez) and Mendez's partner Simone Ling, of suspected fentanyl poisoning. Their three bodies were discovered at Mendez's Los Angeles residence later that day after Vasquez's wife called for a welfare check.[23] Their deaths were reported the following day.[24]

Discography

Studio albums

Remix albums

EPs

Singles

Collaborations

Remixes

Soundtracks

Lineup

Although Vasquez wrote, recorded and produced alone, he was joined by other members for live performances.

Current[53]
Former[54]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner . Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner . 20 January 2024.
  2. Web site: Cooper . Jeff . From the desert to Depeche Mode . 2024-01-19 . Victorville Daily Press.
  3. Web site: The Soft Moon's Luis Vasquez, More Than a Post-Punk Obsessive . 2024-01-19 . AllMusic . September 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922082635/https://www.allmusic.com/blog/post/the-soft-moons-luis-vasquez-more-than-a-post-punk-obsessive . live.
  4. News: Medina. Oscar. Retro No Retro. East Bay Express. 24 May 2011.
  5. Web site: 2010-03-18 . "Breathe the Fire" . 2024-01-20 . Pitchfork.com . March 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325102457/https://pitchfork.com/news/12152-breathe-the-fire/ . live.
  6. Web site: 2011-02-10 . The Soft Moon – Parallels 7 . 2024-01-20 . Styrofoam Drone . August 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817051422/https://styrofoamdrone.com/2011/02/10/the-soft-moon-parallels-7/ . live.
  7. Web site: Patrick . Amber . 2011-07-18 . Interpol Summers Well: Touring with U2, Headlining Some Additional Shows . 2024-01-19 . The Vinyl District . October 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231004201305/https://www.thevinyldistrict.com/cleveland/2011/07/interpol-summers-well-touring-with-u2-headlining-some-additional-shows/ . live.
  8. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . 2011-09-16 . The Soft Moon releasing new EP, playing shows w/ Mogwai (who just released an EP) --- MP3s & dates . 2024-01-19 . BrooklynVegan . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119225121/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-soft-moon-r/ . live.
  9. Web site: Hyman . Dan . 2013-02-21 . Can Theft Kill A Band? . 2024-01-19 . BuzzFeed . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119224933/https://www.buzzfeed.com/dhyman/can-theft-kill-a-band . live.
  10. Web site: Adams . Gregory . 2012-08-14 . The Soft Moon Unveil 'Zeros,' North American Tour . . January 20, 2024 . September 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210922210455/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/soft_moon_unveil_zeros_north_american_tour . live.
  11. Web site: Lindsay . Cam . 2015-03-31 . The Soft Moon on Apocalyptic Nightmares and Songwriting as a Means of Finding Inner Peace . 2024-01-20 . Vice . November 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105214200/https://www.vice.com/en/article/695bzv/the-soft-moon-interview-2015 . live.
  12. Web site: Cohen . Ian . The Soft Moon: "Black" . 2024-01-19 . Pitchfork.com . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119233841/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17242-the-soft-moon-black/ . live.
  13. Web site: The Soft Moon have been having a terrible time in German techno clubs, so you don't have to . 2024-01-20 . The Line of Best Fit . September 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930060011/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/the-soft-moon-deeper . live.
  14. Web site: Staff . BrooklynVegan . 2016-01-08 . Killing Joke cancel North American tour; openers The Soft Moon announce rescheduled dates, releasing remix collection . 2024-01-19 . BrooklynVegan . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119224934/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/killing-joke-ca/ . live.
  15. Web site: post-punk.com . 2016-01-30 . The Soft Moon had their equipment and merchandise stolen while performing in Oakland last night . 2024-01-19 . Post-Punk.com . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119224932/https://post-punk.com/the-soft-moon-had-their-equipment-and-merchandise-stolen-while-performing-in-oakland-last-night/ . live.
  16. Web site: The Soft Moon's Luis Vasquez Reflects How His New Album 'Criminals' Came to Be . 2024-01-20 . Flaunt.com . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209035510/https://www.flaunt.com/blog/the-soft-moon-luis-vasquez-criminals . live.
  17. Web site: Geffen . Sasha . The Soft Moon: Criminal . 2024-01-20 . Pitchfork.com . January 21, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240121082915/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-soft-moon-criminal/ . live.
  18. Web site: Pearis . Bill . 2022-06-14 . The Soft Moon announces new LP 'Exister' & tour, shares "Him" . 2024-01-19 . BrooklynVegan . April 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419091629/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-soft-moon-announces-new-lp-exister-tour-shares-him/ . live.
  19. Web site: 2022-11-03 . Roadburn Festival 2023 Has Deafheaven Playing 'Sunbather', Wolves In The Throne Room, Chat Pile, More . 2024-01-19 . Stereogum . May 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522181835/https://www.stereogum.com/2204980/roadburn-festival-2023-has-deafheaven-playing-sunbather-wolves-in-the-throne-room-chat-pile-more/news/ . live.
  20. Web site: Damien. Jones. Siouxsie Sioux and Iggy Pop lead Cruel World Festival 2023 line-up with other acts including the Human League. NME. 23 January 2023. 26 January 2023. January 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123190203/https://www.nme.com/news/siouxsie-sioux-and-iggy-pop-lead-cruel-world-festival-2023-line-up-3385361. live.
  21. Web site: Instagram . 2024-03-13 . Instagram.com.
  22. Web site: Interviews . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & . Murray . Robin . 2022-09-01 . The Soft Moon's 'Monster' Is A Mournful Piece Of Songwriting News . 2024-03-13 . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews . en-GB.
  23. News: Darmiento . Laurence . Winton . Richard . 2024-01-21 . Soft Moon musician Luis Vasquez, DJ Juan Mendez found dead in downtown L.A. loft . 2024-01-22 . . January 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240122021318/https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-01-21/soft-moon-musician-luis-vasquez-dj-juan-mendez-found-dead-in-l-a-home . live.
  24. Web site: Musician Luis Vasquez, who performed as the Soft Moon, dies at 44 at Los Angeles home . . January 19, 2024 . January 20, 2024 . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119235641/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/musician-luis-vasquez-who-performed-as-the-soft-moon-dies-at-44-at-los-angeles-home/ . live.
  25. Web site: The Soft Moon - The Soft Moon | Album. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  26. Web site: Zeros - The Soft Moon | Album . AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  27. Web site: The Soft Moon goes Deeper on new album; listen to the industrial march 'Black'. December 2, 2014. Factmag.com.
  28. Web site: The Soft Moon: Criminal. Sasha. Geffen. Pitchfork.com.
  29. Web site: A Body of Errors - Luis Vasquez | Album. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  30. Web site: The Soft Moon: Exister. Max. Freedman. Pitchfork.com.
  31. Web site: The Soft Moon, 'Total Decay' (Captured Tracks). Spin.com.
  32. Web site: The Soft Moon - Breathe the Fire Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic . AllMusic.
  33. Web site: Die Life - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  34. Web site: Insides - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  35. Web site: Wasting - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  36. Web site: Black - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  37. Web site: Wrong - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  38. Web site: Burn - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  39. Web site: Choke - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  40. Web site: Give Something - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  41. Web site: Him - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  42. Web site: Become the Lies - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  43. Web site: Monster - The Soft Moon. AllMusic. May 30, 2024.
  44. Web site: The Soft Moon vs. John Foxx & the Maths: "Evidence" . .
  45. Web site: HEALTH Release Excellent New All-Collabs Album 'DISCO4 :: PART I': Stream . October 16, 2020 .
  46. Web site: The Soft Moon Shares New Song \"Him\" Featuring fish narc: Listen . June 14, 2022 .
  47. Web site: The Soft Moon Shares New Single "Unforgiven (Feat. Alli Logout of Special Interest)" - New Album "Exister" due September 23rd via Sacred Bones Records . August 16, 2022 .
  48. Web site: Heather Phares . A Wrenched Virile Lore - Mogwai | Songs, Reviews, Credits . . 2012-11-19 . 2020-03-12 . January 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200125072226/https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-wrenched-virile-lore-mw0002430804 . live.
  49. Web site: Hari Ashurst . "Ice Age (The Soft Moon Remix)" by How to destroy angels_ Review . Pitchfork.com . 2012-12-12 . 2020-03-12 . January 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200125004311/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/14670-how-to-destroy-angels-ice-age-the-soft-moon-remix/ . live.
  50. Web site: Complicated (The Soft Moon Remix) | Trentemøller . Trentemoller.bandcamp.com . 2020-03-12 . January 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200125045343/https://trentemoller.bandcamp.com/track/complicated-the-soft-moon-remix . live.
  51. Web site: Boy Harsher biography . Simpson . Paul . . January 22, 2020 . July 3, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190703080116/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/boy-harsher-mn0003687587/biography . live.
  52. Web site: Jakuzi's "Ne Teselli Ne Avuntu" Receives Soft Moon Remix . October 29, 2019 . Post-punk.com . January 22, 2020 .
  53. Web site: electricityclub . 2018-02-19 . THE SOFT MOON Live at The Dome . 2024-01-20 . ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK . May 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517073008/https://www.electricityclub.co.uk/the-soft-moon-live-dome/ . live.
  54. Web site: The Quietus Features Escape Velocity It Started With Prince: The Soft Moon Interviewed . 2024-01-20 . The Quietus . January 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240122033422/https://thequietus.com/articles/06681-the-soft-moon-interview . live.