In the Peruvian Amazon, in the isolated city of Iquitos — the largest city in the world that can’t be reached by road — shoemaker Solomon Sanchez decided to form a band with his five sons. It was 1968, and their unique sound combined traditional music of the time (cumbia, carimbó, pandilla) with surf, psychedelic rock, Afro-Latin rhythms, and Tropicalia.
They called themselves Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, and now, 50 years later, the surviving original members of the band are doing a rare international tour, which will take them to New City Brewery in Easthampton on Wednesday, September 18, at 8 p.m.
Los Wembler’s gave the world some of the first hits in the psychedelic cumbia genre (including “Sonido Amazonico” and “La Danza del Petrolero”), but they also have a new album, Vision del Ayahuasca, which adds a little more playful psychedelic flair to the band’s music — they sound like they’re having a great time on songs like the title track and the speedy and fun “Los Wembler’s Para El Mundo.”
Also filling the room with music on Wednesday night will be the DJs from local vinyl record label Peace & Rhythm, spinning faves from their deep crates of tropical music, before and after the live performance.
The show is part of the monthly Planetary Party concert series, made possible in part by Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company.
Local artists Opal Canyon, Fancy Trash, and Chris Marlon Jennings (from Sun Parade) play the Stone Church in Brattleboro, Vermont, on Saturday, September 14, at 8 p.m.
Black Pumas (soul rock band from Austin, Texas) play the Iron Horse in Northampton on Saturday, September 14, at 10 p.m. Rudy De Anda is the opening act.
Becca Mancari recently opened for Natalie Prass in town, and she returns as a headliner at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Sunday, September 15, at 8 p.m. Workman Song will start off the night.
B Boys (catchy post-punk from Brooklyn, N.Y.) just dropped “Dudu,” their new record on the fine Captured Tracks label, and they play Flywheel in Easthampton on Sunday, September 15, at 8 p.m. Also on the triple-bill are locals Otto B and Les Derailleurs. All ages, sober space.
Jazz French horn player John Clark is the special guest playing with the Green Street Trio at this week’s Northampton Jazz Workshop at the City Sports Grille inside Spare Time Northampton on Tuesday, September 17, at 7:30 p.m. The open jazz jam follows at 8:30 p.m., so bring your instrument or voice and sign up to join in, or just sit back and enjoy the music.
Local “hick rock” legends Lonesome Brothers and singer/songwriter with Northampton roots Amy Fairchild share a bill the Parlor Room in Northampton on Thursday, September 19, at 7 p.m.
Local quartet Darlingside put out a new EP this year, “Look Up and Fly Away,” and the group (which has strong vocal harmonies and a love of mixing traditional acoustic and more experimental textures) appears at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Thursday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m. Henry Jamison opens.
Com Truise — aka electronic musician Seth Haley, “melting circuits since 1985” — takes the stage at Pearl Street in Northampton on Thursday, September 19, at 8 p.m. Filling out the triple bill are Photay and Beshken.
The Waterboys, led as always by passionate vocalist/songwriter Mike Scott, put out a new record this past spring, “Where the Action Is” — the title track is a catchy stomping rocker with garagey guitars, soul organ and gospel backing vocals that could have been a hit in the ‘60s or the ‘90s — and they play the Calvin Theatre in Northampton on Thursday, September 19, at 8 p.m.