Peter Runge, also known as Sd Laika, has passed away according to a statement from his family sent to Mixmag. Runge emerged onto the experimental music scene in 2012 with the release of his debut EP, ‘Unknown Vectors’. He signed with Tri Angle Records in 2014 and released his highly acclaimed debut album, ‘That’s Harakiri’, the same year. In 2018, he released his final track, ‘Latent Fish’, before disappearing from the public eye. His death was announced on his last.fm profile last month and has since been confirmed by his family.
Robin Carolan, founder of Tri Angle Records, shared a tribute to Runge, stating that he was a “very unique talent” who created something “truly original and incredibly forward-thinking”. Carolan expressed gratitude that Runge’s music was able to be shared with the world, calling ‘That’s Harakiri’ a testament to a musician who was “genuinely operating in his own lane”. Runge’s family also shared a tribute, calling him an immensely talented and original musician, as well as a funny, smart, and kind-hearted person.
Known for his avant-grime style, Runge was praised for his innovative and cutting-edge production techniques. His music was often played by renowned musicians such as Björk and Aphex Twin, and was considered pioneering in the experimental music community. Runge was a private person and his online presence was minimal in recent years, causing his death to come as a shock to many of his musical peers.
Tributes have been pouring in for Runge since the announcement of his death. Electronic producer, KAVARI, shared a heartfelt tweet stating that “RIP SD LAIKA YOUR MUSIC CHANGED MY LIFE <3", while CRYSTALLMESS shared their love for Runge's music, tweeting "RIP SD LAIKA, ‘THAT’S HARAKIRI’ REMAINS A STAPLE OF BEAUTY”. Runge's legacy lives on through his groundbreaking music and innovative production techniques Read the full article from Mixmag here: Read More