The Soft Moon’s Luis Vasquez has died

Luis Vasquez, the founder of the beloved industrial post-punk band the Soft Moon, has died. The Soft Moon's official Instagram page was updated on Friday, January 19 with a statement announcing Vasquez's passing. No cause of death was revealed; The FADER has reached out for additional information.

"It is with great sadness that we announce our dear friend Juis Vasquez has passed away," the statement reads. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends and extended music family. We ask to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

"If you have a memory of Luis, no matter if you were a close friend of his or not, please feel free to share. This is a huge loss and our hearts are broken."

Formed in 2009, the Soft Moon quickly received attention from labels, landing on Captured Tracks for the release of their debut single "Breathe The Fire." Vasquez went on to release three full-length projects with the label, 2010's The Soft Moon, 2012's Zeros, and Deeper in 2015. The Soft Moon received consistent critical acclaim across its discography where a commitment to danceable pop was never compromised by its deep, brooding intensity.

Vasquez went on to release two Soft Moon albums with Sacred Bones. His most recent, Exister, was released in 2022. "The whole point of this record was to share every emotion that I feel,” Vasquez said of the album in a press statement. “No two songs are the same. It’s about existing in the world as a human being and experiencing many emotions and experiences throughout life.”