Mexican Institute of Sound is coming back to Prague nearly a year after its first concert here. 25. The fun medley of electronica and the traditional Latino genre, cumbia, is going to rock the Roxy club on 25^th September. The high-power event is a must for all fans of the Mexican DJ and producer Camilo Lara who sends his regards: “If you are into punk, Balcan beats, hip-hop, cumbia and rocksteady, this is a place for you to be.“ 

The center of Mexican Institute of Sound is the DJ and producer Camilo Lara, coming from the nation’s capital, Ciudad de México. In his slightly rebellious attitude, Lara combines things that seemingly cannot be combined, putting a brand new coat on the cumbia music style that originally comes from Colombia. His description of the music also is original: “Well…I guess my music is made with lefty scissors. Whenever I play with rock acts, they say I do electronic. When I play at electronic festivals, they say I do Cumbia (huge tropical rhythm). I have played at Cumbia festivals and everyone tells me I do rock, hip hop or everything but cumbia…”

Mexican Institute of Sound became famous especially by the release of the debut album Méjico México in 2006. Another breakthrough was the year of 2009 and the release of Soy Sauce which first featured the famous cover of The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony, now under the name of Sinfonia Agridulce. The latest coup came in 2012 with the release of Politico, the band’s fourth album, that draws from the uneasy political and social situation in Mexico, including the violence related to narcotics business. In one of his interviews, Camilo Lara stated that he started working on Politico once he police had confiscated 4,000 kilograms of C4 explosives. How did he comment? “Sounds horrible, but you get used to. That story is true and it was scary. Fortunately, Mexico City is not as violent as the rest of the country…. I have a normal life. Walk a lot. Ride my bike, take my dog to the park…” 

Full interview with Camilo Lara, a.k.a. Mexican Institute of Sound: 

1)     How would you describe your music to somebody who had never heard it before?

Well…I guess my music is made with lefty scissors. Whenever I play with rock acts, they say I do electronic. When I play at electronic festivals, they say I do Cumbia (huge tropical rhythm). I have played at Cumbia festivals and everyone tells me I do rock, hip hop or everything but cumbia…So it is tough. I guess I just do dance music, no matter labels.

2)     You come back to Prague after one year. Could you remember your show in Palac Akropolis last year? How was it?

It was wild! We had a blast. The show was very punk rock. We love the fact that does not matter people does not know what we are singing about, they went bananas!

3)     You tour a lot all around the world, could you compare audience in Mexico and Europe? Are there any differences?

Yes…a lot. In the US there is a weird obsession on labelling music. So either you play at a World Music show, or a hipster or a Latino. In Europe, I have the impression it is only music. And I love it. As for Mexican audience…those guys are crazy…you know…crazy Mexicans!

4)     Your last album Politico was influenced by current Mexican politics and related drug violence. From a big distance of Europe, the situation seems critical and extremely dangerous. In some interview you said that you started to work on album Politico after you found out that there was 4.000 kilos of C4 right next your house.  How does it feel when you live in this on daily basis?

Sounds horrible, but you get used to. That story is absolutely true and it was scary. Fortunately, Mexico City is not as violent as the rest of the country. But you keep seen hard core news happening.

Mexico City is a city like any other big city, there is some level of street robbery but I guess the same as happen in Chicago or Rio. I have a normal life. Walk a lot. Ride my bike, take my dog to the park… And culturally Mexico City is living a great moment. Probably because many creative people from other cities are moving to live here. So, if you are into art, it is a nice place to be.

5)     The video for the single Mexico was filmed during massive youth demonstrations in 2012. Had the situation improved in any way since then?

Mmm…not really. We are in the middle of a deep and dark time of our history. That is why I think the only positive thing to do is to create a strong and healthy cultural community driven by society, not by government.

6)     Now enough politics and back to music. Did you know that our traditional music called polka had partly influenced Mexican traditional music? It came from Czech immigrants living Texas…

Yes! I have been discussing that with many people! We are weird societies. I still can’t believe our traditional music does not have drums and have big and fat low end instruments! Polka and Banda are cousins.

7)     You had moved from pure djing to shows with live band. Why did you decide for that?

I always have done it. I enjoy both. They are different experiences.

8)     And in the end, could you send some message to your Czech fans who are looking forward to your show in Prague?

First of all…go to the show! its going to be wild. If you are into punk, balcan, hip hop, cumbia or rocksteady you have to be there.

We are very excited to play in Prague. Cool people!

Tickets available at Ticketpro. Standing tickets CZK 290 in advance, CZK 390 on location, 20% discount for Česká spořitelna customers.