Janette Slack, the Torture Garden DJ who went on to find international fame not only as a DJ but also a label owner, producer and MixMag editor, has died suddenly in Hong Kong, aged 42 — writes Tony Mitchell.

Janette, who was born in Hong Kong, was a popular figure behind the TG decks in the early 2000s, where she specialised in spinning a mixture of prog house, tech-funk and breakbeat.

But between stints on the decks at these events, the latex-loving DJ could usually be seen out in the crowd having fun with a posse of rubbered-up girlie pals.

She performed at various other London clubs and in 2004 released her debut, In Session, on 12in vinyl, later setting up her own label, Slack Trax.

In 2015 she returned to Hong Kong, where as well as DJ-ing at numerous prestigious events, she set up her own music school where she taught music production.

Janette’s path and mine would regularly cross at those earlier TG events where she was
DJ-ing and I was photographing.

Encountered in the audience, she exuded a warmth and friendliness that easily cut through the loudest sound levels, and was always happy to chat and pose until she knew I’d got the pictures I was aiming for.

Missives that fizzed with personality

She began issuing email newsletters which always fizzed with personality, and were couched in language capable of making the recipient feel like the message had been created individually just for them.

She seemed very happy being back in Hong Kong with an international career under her belt, and I came to the conclusion we probably wouldn’t meet in the flesh in London again.

So imagine my surprise when I was at the pre-Christmas edition of Le Boutique Bazaar on December 1 2019, chatting to Resistance Gallery’s Garry Vanderhorne and his wife, artist Kat Toronto (aka Miss Meatface), when who should greet me but an effervescent Ms Slack.