Biography

Panoptica (aka Roberto A. Mendoza) is one of the key figures in the Mexican electronic scene since the late 80s, Roberto became well known for his bands, like electro pos-industrial outfit ARTEFAKTO and for creating the Tijuana based norteña meets techno NORTEC COLLECTIVE later in the 90’s, topping charts with the album Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 3, nominated for two Latin Grammy's. Roberto later founded PANOPTICA ORCHESTRA to experiment even further with the NORTEC sound with a unique mix of Latin Brass, Electronica, Norteña, indie Pop and Cumbia, creating the award winning "Panoptica Orchestra" album and in 2016 the even more eclectic "Bajos Tiempos" record, while producing tracks for Lila Downs, Maldita Vecindad, Natalia Lafourcade, Sie7e, DLD and Seguridad Social among many others. In 2020 Panoptica Orchestra returns to the original Nortec sound with the mini album "Border Frequencies" in which it pays tribute to influential radio programs and stations from the early 90's that transmitted across the border of the Tijuana/San Diego region. Mendoza related projects: Panoptica / R. Mendoza / Canción Maldita / Nortec Collective / Artefacto / Artefakto . “Panoptica Orchestra music is a healthy exercise of sensibilities since its fusions go from electronica to the Afro-Antillean sounds like vallenato, norteñas, broken beats, tangonucleosis, Mexican gypsy and an avalanche of more sonorities and rhythms that shake the epidermis and mobilize the bones." By Octavio Hernandez.