Mexican Institute of Sound
In 2005, Camilo Lara officially founded the Mexican Institute of Sound project in Mexico City. Before this moment, he operated as a DJ collecting annual Christmas compilations of the year's best tracks. These compilations became collector's items within a niche market. This hobby led him to collaborate on remixes under the moniker for bands and friends such as Placebo, Le Hammond Inferno, Gecko Turner, and Babasónicos. The new project relied on classic Mexican music samples ranging from the 1920s to the 1960s mixed with Esquivel vocal samples and modern scratches or beats. Along with groups like Nortec Collective and Kinky, M.I.S. is part of a growing Mexican electronica movement. They encouraged fusions of folk and more traditional music with modern sounds.
The debut album Méjico Máxico arrived in 2006 on Nacional Records. It functioned as a pastiche of electronica, dub, cha-cha-cha, cumbia, and spoken word. Critics praised the work in publications like Spin, the New York Times, and URB. Radio support came from tastemakers such as KCRW in Los Angeles, Indie 103 in Los Angeles, KEXP in Seattle, and KUT in Austin. The second album Piñata followed in 2007. It continued the vision established by the debut as a collage of musical influences that reflect Lara's impression of life in the sprawling metropolis of Mexico City. Special guests included members of Tom Tom Club, Fantastic Plastic Machine, and Babasónicos. Songs from these releases have been featured in ABC's Ugly Betty, Showtime's Californication, and New Line Cinema's Pride and Glory.
Mexican Institute of Sound released its third album Soy Sauce in 2009. In 2010, MIS released the song Suave Patria for the parade marking the Bicentennial of Independence of Mexico. The homonymous EP contained six tracks. Camilo created this music to evoke passages of the Mexican Constitution and represent a soundscape Homeland. Their song Alocatel appeared in EA Sports' FIFA 10. The fourth studio album Politico arrived in 2012 with songs relating to a political environment. Es-Toy became one of its most successful singles. In 2013, MIS appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto V alongside Don Cheto. The song Es Toy played on the fictional radio station East Los FM. Camilo recorded his fifth studio album in 2014 with Toy Selectah. They recorded in Jamaica, the US, London, and Brazil with Red Bull's help. The disc had many collaborators including Ana Bárbara, Sly and Robbie, Toots Maytals, Gogol Bordello, Nina Sky, Money Mark, MC Lyte, N.A.S.A., Kool AD, Kut Masta, Kurt Chrome Sparks, Eric Bobo, Tanto Blacks, Chedda Helado, Negro Kita, Kaine Notch, Maluca Mala, Benjamin Lozinger, DJ Lengua, Matty Rico, Tiombe Lockhart, Angela Hunte, Mela Murder, Los Master Plus, Centavrvs, Sergio Mendoza J., Carlos Ann, Ohmega Watts, DJ Dusty, Stro Elliot Pharo, Dezzie Gee, Speakz, Nic Haircourt, and Pilar.
Songs from Mexican Institute of Sound releases have been featured in ABC's Ugly Betty and Showtime's Californication. New Line Cinema included their work in Pride and Glory. A Dos Equis national advertising campaign utilized their music. Video games such as EA Games FIFA 08 featured El Microfono. Xbox Games Studios' Forza Horizon 5 included Vamos. In Australia, Escríbeme Pronto appeared in a 2009 ice-cream advertisement. Their video for the song Katia, Tania, Paulina y la Kim from Piñata was featured on Link TV. The song Es Toy played on the fictional radio station East Los FM within Grand Theft Auto V in 2013. MIS contributed a cover of the Metallica song Sad But True to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist released in September 2021. That track featured rappers La Perla and Gera MX. In 2025, Lara was announced as one of the remixers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup theme representing Mexico City.
That same year, Camilo Lara was brought on as a creative consultant to the animated film Coco. He helped director Lee Unkrich navigate all the different rhythms from Mexico to understand the geography of the music. He also arranged and produced many of the songs of the film and assisted composer Michael Giacchino. Under MIS, Lara provided the song Jálale to the film's soundtrack. He made a cameo as a skeleton DJ in a party scene of the movie. Camilo Lara composed the score for the 2023 movie A Million Miles Away. This film portrayed the life and accomplishments of NASA Astronaut José M. Hernández. The group released their fifth studio album Disco Popular on the 3rd of November 2017. It contained appearances from La Yegros, Calexico & Orkesta Mendoza, Press Kay, Lorna, Toots Hibbert, Sly & Robbie, Pamputae & Ranco, and Adan Jodorowsky. The album Distrito Federal arrived in 2021. La Liberación by Las Áñez and Mexican Institute of Sound appeared in 2025.
Up Next
Common questions
When was the Mexican Institute of Sound project founded?
Camilo Lara officially founded the Mexican Institute of Sound project in 2005. The group originated in Mexico City as a collection of annual Christmas compilations before evolving into a full musical entity.
What albums did the Mexican Institute of Sound release between 2006 and 2017?
The Mexican Institute of Sound released Méjico Máxico in 2006, Piñata in 2007, Soy Sauce in 2009, Politico in 2012, and Disco Popular on the 3rd of November 2017. These records featured collaborations with artists such as Sly and Robbie, Toots Hibbert, and La Yegros.
Which video games have included songs by the Mexican Institute of Sound?
Songs from the Mexican Institute of Sound appear in EA Sports FIFA 10, Grand Theft Auto V, and Forza Horizon 5. Their track Es Toy played on the fictional East Los FM radio station within Grand Theft Auto V in 2013.
How has the Mexican Institute of Sound contributed to film soundtracks?
Mexican Institute of Sound provided the song Jálale for the animated film Coco and composed the score for A Million Miles Away released in 2023. Camilo Lara also served as a creative consultant for Coco and made a cameo appearance as a skeleton DJ in the movie.
Who are some notable collaborators that worked with the Mexican Institute of Sound?
The group collaborated with musicians including Sly and Robbie, Toots Maytals, Nina Sky, MC Lyte, and members of Tom Tom Club. Recent projects involved artists like Ana Bárbara, Gogol Bordello, and rappers La Perla and Gera MX.