Mexican Institute Of Sound

Following the success of last year’s Mexican Institute of Sound (MIS) debut ‘Méjico Máxico’, MIS is back with “Piñata” (July 24th - Nacional Records), an infectious pastiche of electronica, dub, cha cha cha, cumbia, spoken word and other musical treats waiting to burst out of its paper maché shell. The new album features a number of guests including members of Tom Tom Club, Fantastic Plastic Machine, and Babasonicos. In the past year, MIS has received widespread acclaim from outlets like Spin, NY Times, and Urb, as well as radio support from such tastemakers as KCRW (Los Angeles), Indie 103 (Los Angeles), KEXP (Seattle) and KUT (Austin). MIS’ music has also been featured in other projects including a recent episode of ABC’s hit sitcom “Ugly Betty”, Dos Equis’ national advertising campaign, multiple soundtracks, and the upcoming EA Games release ‘FIFA 2008.’

Camilo Lara is the one-man dynamo behind Mexican Institute of Sound. Hailing from the sprawling metropolis that is Mexico City, Lara channels his inner rockstar, while holding down a day job as head of a major label. Like a musical superhero, Lara steps out of his executive alter ego, gets involved with the underground musica movement and begins his musical mission delivering electronic masterpieces with only the help of his computer, his nurturing imagination, and his awesome collection of vinyl.

Lara’s genius is not his ability to hide behind a computer screen or immerse himself in the world of modern technology (in which he’s admittedly quite a clumsy participant), but rather lies in his ability to carefully select and blend diverse musical references that will surprise and delight even the most discriminating listener. Camilo Lara has distinguished himself as a musical trendsetter among his circle of friends with his annual Christmas compilation of the year’s best tracks and unreleased MIS tracks, which has fast become a sought-after collector’s item. This hobby led Lara to collaborate on remixes under the moniker of Mexican Institute of Sound for bands and friends like Placebo, Le Hammond Inferno, Gecko Turner, and Babasónicos.

Piñata continues the vision established by MIS’ debut album, Méjico Máxico, as a carefully constructed collage of musical influences that combine to reflect Lara’s unique impression of life in bustling Mexico City.