Electronic musician and Editions Mego founder, Peter Rehberg, dies, aged 53
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Electronic musician and Editions Mego founder, Peter Rehberg, has died, aged 53.
The news was shared via social media today (23rd) by one of the artist’s collaborators, François J. Bonnet, AKA Kassel Jaeger, the founder of French label INA-GRM.
“I am heartbroken,” Bonnet wrote, “Peter is gone, suddenly. Just like that. He hated goodbyes, effusions. Out of reserve. Out of sensitivity. He was one of the most kind, loyal and reliable people I have ever known. I feel privileged to have known him, to have collaborated with him and to have been his friend.”
The British-Austrian artist first began releasing music in the mid-90s under the alias Pita, championing experimental and ambient electronics, and in 1999, he received the Prix Ars Electronica Distinction Award for Digital Musics.
Throughout his career, Rehberg collaborated with musicians such as Stephen O’Malley, the guitarist in the avant-metal band Sunn O))), as well as forming an electronic trio with Jim O’Rourke and Christian Fennesz.
Following the shutdown of Ramon Bauer, Peter Meininger and Andreas Pieper’s Mego imprint, where Rehberg had worked as label manager for a decade, the artist launched his own imprint, Editions Mego. Since its founding in 2006, the label has released records from artists like Bruce Gilbert, Emeralds, Oneohtrix Point Never and Kevin Drumm.
You can read some of the tributes to Rehberg below.
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RIP and thank you Peter Rehberg
— Holly Herndon (@hollyherndon) July 23, 2021
Very sad to hear of Peter Rehberg’s passing had a great time, music chats and lots of wine together at Camp in the Pyrenees a few years ago. Some guy. Journey well Sir pic.twitter.com/uvEvzojSjU
— Nightwave (@iamnightwave) July 23, 2021
Goodbye dear peter. You opened our ears and I am forever grateful to you for all your dedication, interest and enthusiasm. We’re less without you. pic.twitter.com/qpbbmdW0WA
— lawrence english (@room40speaks) July 23, 2021
RIP Peter Rehberg – a terrible loss to experimental music. As well as being a great musician himself, Peter supported the work of so many artists. His label Mego’s influence will endure long into the future.
— Unsound (@unsound) July 23, 2021
