PERUVIAN LATIN POP STAR’S TRAJECTORY TO FAME CONTINUES THROUGH NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA

By Brion Shreffler

With a contribution by Charles Tribe

Photo by Charles Tribe

Somewhat reminiscent of a line from one of Radiohead’s more dour song’s, Periko tells of how he said he wanted his music played when he’s not around prior to leaving his native Peru. Having found considerable success in the pop duo, SONDO2, along with a top thirty finish in Latin American idol, the Lima born singer reached this goal with the release of his first single, the self-produced ,Dame el Calor, which quickly overtook the airwaves back home shortly after his arrival in Philadelphia in 2006.

Though the lyrics seem to present someone steeped in the misery of a revenant light cast by a past love- the second line states, “es tan dificil retroceder el tiempo”([it] is so difficult to turn back time), and the chorus begins, dame el Calor, dame la brisa, dame el aire que respiras”(give me the heat, give me the breeze, give me the air that you breathe)- you wouldn’t deduce that by the ebullient joy that springs from Periko’s guitar and a voice embodying a forceful river, while it calmly trills away. The bonus track, Cuentame, bears a similar sentiment. Though pensive, his voice gently parries an accompanying guitar riff, which opens the song and reoccurs ¾ of the way through, evocative of all the pain he is moving past with his music; though he says, “cuentame como estan las olas del mar,”(tell me how are the waves) despairingly to his former love by the sea, he is able to declare, “porque jamás olvidaré, ese tiempo en que me enseñaste amar”( because I never forget that time that taught me to love), while concluding “no tuve la fuerza que esperabas, porque no estoy preparado para el amor. Y el que perdio fui yo”(I did not force you as expected, because I’m not ready for love…and I was lost), the energy imbued in the melody bespeaking his redoubled spirits. He’s capable of this introspection while dealing with such a topic because, just as in conversation, Periko exudes the greatest optimism in his music, his songs hopeful musings on all aspects of life.

This outlook is reflective of his strident efforts towards popularity stateside. Having come here to record an album- “there are no major record labels in Peru like there are here,” he says, indicating his dream of signing a deal to a major label after finishing his album- he spent nearly a year focused solely on working in order to build his savings. Now, he splits his time between his day-job in construction and working on his music. “It’s not easy,” he concedes, recalling his first show in Philly in October 2007, which was accompanied by one-off stops in California and New Jersey. For a couple hours, he says, all the eyes were on him: people were enjoying his music, and were lining up for his autograph. Despite the heavy distinction before him upon waking for work at 6am the next day, he quickly pointed out how the power of the experience filtered through and continues to do so, “the people loving the music he so loves” inspiring him in the same manner as the “magic moments” from which his music springs. His mind always turned to music, his spirits are raised by it even when away from his guitar (the melody and lyrics for Dame el Calor came to him whileplaying the soccer video game, Winning Eleven with a friend. He lost the game). While he proudly speaks of how hard he works at his demanding construction job, he quickly points out that it this confluence of music that always keeps him brimming with positive energy. It is his yearning to share not only his music, but also something of himself with others that invigorates him; “I meet someone and I tell them my history…my stories in 3 minutes with a song rather than telling them something for a few hours. They understand me the same way.”

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5/31/08 show at Bella Noche Photo by Charles Tribe

On crossing the Boulevard on the way to the venue at St. Vincent and Bustleton Ave I notice a slight change that’s more of a continuance of a trend than anything dramatic: more shops and restaurants have sprung up to add to the cultural diversity along Bustleton avenue west of the Boulevard since the last time I visited. The diverse array of businesses here reflect the various communities that are taking root in this formerly uniform section of the Northeast; the strip boasts a Brazilian Market, a Mexican restaurant and bodega, Chinese restaurants, and a KC Pastries, which can also be found in Chinatown.

Back in 1998 during the World Cup, the excitement keyed up inside us watching the games would lead to hours spent on the pitch where we tried to burn off some of that mad energy. There at the field at Solis Cohen playground- across from the venue which, for years was an Italian restaurant named Vincent’s- we played the world’s game with players representing Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, Costa Rica, Angola, and Guatemala to name a few, making friends with people we were shocked to find only lived a few blocks away from our local hub, a near frat-house occupied by three of my friends. We were shocked since at that time, you just didn’t notice that such a community existed right around the corner, despite the burgeoning diversity along Bustleton Ave.

Indeed, when Periko told me he was living in my native Northeast Philadelphia, I thought with certainty this was the neighborhood he called home. In actuality, he’s living further into the Northeast, pretty much where I grew up, much closer to the local Russian community than any Latino transplants.

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The venue, Bella Noche, is a bit of a rarity in an area generally known for cheesy cover bands. Besides the cache of putting on live original music, there’s also the fact that they’re dedicated to their roots- Latino music. The owners- 2 women from Columbia and 1 from Peru- have been serving South American Cuisine for nearly a year (they celebrated their first anniversary in August) and have been putting on shows around the bar in their main dining room for the last four months, including monthly Colombian parties, and the recently added, Rock en Espanol. Andres Reyes, who helps manage the entertainment, stated their goal rather simply; “we wish to create an atmosphere where everyone can come and enjoy the music. A great time with great music- that’s all we want.” Having consulted club managers in the city, he’s eager for Bella Noche’s after hours appeal to continue to take off.

6/28/08 show at Bella Noche Photo by Brion Shreffler

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At 10:35 a sizeable crowd waits around the bar and the adjacent tables. It’s a warm Saturday night at the end of June. Owing to the late start at his previous show at Bella Noche, most people come late, with the crowd swelling a few songs in. With time to kill, I sip a Mojito- one of the smoothest I’ve ever had- and eye the crowd. The people at the bar sip colorful cocktails between sampling a variety of dishes: fried plantains, empanadas, camarones alla plancha…I begin to rethink my heat inspired reluctance to eat. Casually, I note I’m the only one in the venue with limited skills de Espanol; I soon lose this status.

6/28/08 show at Bella Noche Photo by Brion Shreffler

The set starts well past 11 with Dame el Calor and Cuentame. More than half the crowd sings along. The tempo picks up with some of his newer songs and before long the dance floor is full, set to stay that way most of the night, the participants raucously dancing Merengue and Salsa to the music. He rounded out the evening by covering Carlos Vives a few times- I only knew this thanks to my Colombian friend- as well as doing a rendition of La Bamba that transitioned into Twist and Shot, his lone English offering of the night.

At the show here on May 31^st, there were more English only speakers drawn by word of mouth support emanating from new friends and co-workers from the Northeast curious to find out about Periko. While he hopes to continue to build towards a large Latin fan-base, cross-over fame is one of the main reasons why he came to the U.S. in the first place. Indeed, it is bringing his music to all people that he has in mind the most for these two shows; “I want to establish a history in Philadelphia. I don’t want to be somewhere else and have them say, ‘that guy from Peru.’ No, I want them to say Philadelphia when they mention me here. This is where I want to do something big for the first time, to have exposure in America,” he says, fervency in his eyes. And while he’s aware of the current limits of his audience, he hope’s to build momentum that will quickly expand his fan base. After the first show, a pair of German tourists, drawn by to the venue out of an appreciation for Latin music, enthusiastically thanked him for his performance. Amidst the show of hands given in response to the question of audience composition- Argentina? Peruano! Mexicano!- a couple hands went up when up for Estados Unitos/ U.S.A, one of those belonging of course to his girlfriend from Delaware county, whom he met in Manayunk, and who he graciously says has helped him with his English, though he hardly seems to be at a loss for words. When he speaks of any misunderstandings they have it’s hard not to conflate that to his earnest efforts of transcending cultural barriers.

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Since the June 28^th show at Bella Noche, construction began that will expand Solis Cohen Elementary and effectively eliminate the soccer field that has stood for years. Perhaps Periko’s music will bring people together in the Northeast in the same manner of the beautiful game. The local Latino community could have no better ambassador.

Pedro Almeida gave a performance at the Fiestas Patrias Peru on July 26^th; hosted by the Philadelphia Peruvian community- while the 2000 census lists a number of 471, Periko says the current number is around 1,000- in celebration of their independence. It was a proud moment in which he was able to celebrate his home country in the city where he wishes to write a new chapter in his life.

In the final days of July he went to Miami for ten days of recording time. He recorded the first three songs for his debut album. His goal is to record three tracks at a time until finished. He’s looking to add some of the Miami sound to the project, while taking his time to get it right; asking if there’s not the temptation, given the expense, to quickly record the whole thing at once, he says, “I’d rather do it right, make sure it’s perfect…if it takes a year I’m happy with that.”

Hopefully, in the meantime Philadelphia will embrace him, because regardless of one’s bilingual abilities, one can’t help but be affected by the stories Periko tells.

www.myspace.com/perikolatin