* En anglais uniquement
Mexico City quartet
Rey Pila produce new wave-influenced synth pop and dance-rock, with driving electronic beats, melodic guitar hooks, and energetic vocals. After establishing their retro-leaning sound with their first two albums and playing shows with groups like
Interpol,
the Strokes, and
the Rentals, the band branched out on their third album, 2020's Velox Veritas, which incorporated influences such as trap, dancehall, and electro.
Diego Solórzano began
Rey Pila as a solo project following the breakup of his previous band, Mexico City-based indie rock group Los Dynamite.
Rey Pila's self-titled debut full-length, co-produced by
Paul Mahajan, appeared in 2010.
Rey Pila established itself as a live band, with Rodrigo Blanco, Andrés Velasco, and
Miguel Hernández (also formerly of Los Dynamite) joining Solórzano, and the group played dates opening for
Interpol,
TV on the Radio,
Muse, and others.
Rey Pila moved to New York City in 2012 to record their second album at DFA Studios with producer
Chris Coady.
Julian Casablancas of
the Strokes heard the album and signed the group to his label, Cult Records, in 2013. "Alexander" was released as a single by the end of the year (with a cover of
Chris de Burgh's "Lady in Red" on the B-side), followed by "Blast" in 2014. Sophomore album
The Future Sugar was released in 2015, and the band embarked on tours opening for
the Rentals and
Brandon Flowers.
Wall of Goth, a dance-influenced EP co-produced with
Casablancas and
Shawn Everett, appeared in 2017. After its release,
Rey Pila toured across South America with
Casablancas' band
the Voidz. A cover of
Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Israel" was released in 2018, and the group opened for
Depeche Mode on their Mexico City tour dates. In 2019, the band released their Lucky No. 7 EP, and supported
the Cure on their stadium tour, as well as
Phoenix on their Ti Amo Mexico residency. Third album Velox Veritas, recorded in Solórzano's Mexico City home studio and Sonic Ranch Studios in Texas, then finally produced and mixed by Dave Sitek in Los Angeles, was released in 2020. ~ Paul Simpson