Camilo Lara is a Mexico City-based DJ and producer. The legendary music collector (his holdings contain more than 45,000 records—and that's just the vinyl) has created official remixes for Johnny Cash, Perez Prado and the Beastie Boys. In his downtime, Lara is the president of the Mexican division of EMI records. His current personal music venture is Mexican Institute of Sound, originally a solo project that now features a full band; it incorporates elements of traditional Mexican folk music with electronica. MIS is returning to Tucson to perform at this year's HoCo Fest, on Friday, Sept. 24.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
I went to San Diego and saw The Cure. I was blown away ... an amazing experience. The following week, I went to see Duran Duran. I was 6.
What are you listening to these days?
I'm into the new El Guincho album, LCD Soundsystem, The Strange Boys, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti and Silverio.
What was the first album you owned?
It was (the album with) "Cum on Feel the Noize" by Quiet Riot, and, no, I don't feel so proud of that.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
Everybody loves Leonard Cohen, I just don't get it. I am also not into Goa or trance music; (it) sounds cheap to me.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
I want to see Crocodiles live again! They rock. Also, My Bloody Valentine and Velvet Underground, back in the day.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I like Arcade Fire.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
"At Last" by Etta James.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Actually two: Prince made me realize that my favorite thing was music. Perez Prado helped me take my art to the limit.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
That's a hard one. ... I think this time, I will say Kraftwerk, Computer World.
