22 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 22-28, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Sensory Tribe is set to take the stage at Cali Roots for the first time and band members are pumped—so much so that they are going beyond a regular rehearsal schedule in order to prepare. Band members are training physically. Glenn Bell and Sweesly Maak have been working with a personal trainer at the gym. Jose B. Sanchez is in cycling classes. Bell is even planning an outrageous professional wrestling-inspired stage outfit. “I want to be able to jump and dance the entire set,” Sanchez explains. “If you’re going to ask people to pay a ticket price to see you, you’d better go all out.” Fans should be equally pumped. While the festival has many established and diverse acts, Sensory Tribe may be one of the most compelling bands to catch. That they celebrate diversity is not a cliche, it’s their whole approach. Founder Gerardo “El Kallpa” Olivares’ vision from the start was for each member to have a voice and to support others when it’s their turn to shine. The band’s relaxed, accepting vibe is key to both their creative process and onstage presence. Everyone feels free to be themselves— and that freedom sparks bold, authentic performances where their personalities stand out. Bell gets hyphy, jumping around and wearing costumes with a painted face, while Maak grunts out lyrics in his hip-hop style. The rotating spotlight makes for a captivating experience. Take the horn section for example, which Bell calls the band’s secret weapon. Listen to “Tribe Mind” and let the horn section hook you with their well-arranged, staccato-driven melodies—stealing the show as their prominence is not just allowed, it’s encouraged. On “Candle in the Dark” witness Rebekah Cordell take center stage, showing off her saxophone prowess while giving Righteous Sistah’s sultry vocals a break. With a diverse membership, Bell says they are “DEI, the band”—united in harmony in defiance of the headlines. Their latest single incorporates all of their cultures as Maak sings soulfully in his native Arabic tongue. Not afraid to experiment, “Get Away” is a welcome escape from our daily routines but like much of their work, there’s an undercurrent of deeper meaning. El Kallpa slowed the tempo and lengthened the song to 10 minutes to challenge industry standards. Bands evolve and, if they put in the effort, continuously improve. And with Sensory Tribe, there is that expectation—a camaraderie in the band that helps raise the level of each member. El Kallpa describes Bell as a monster on stage, making him want to get even more juiced on the next show in friendly one-upmanship. “I love how we all listen and learn from each other, like when Romero showed us additive mixing—and that’s a technique that I’ve never heard of before and I love the fact that we’re listening to each other like that,” Maak says. Since the band formed in 2016, Sensory Tribe has added structured horn lines, dramatic pauses and intentional songwriting. “We’ve definitely become more professional,” Bell observes. “Now we’re crafting not just songs but full sets designed to be experiences—danceable, high-energy, and meaningful.” For Cali Roots, the set list is focused on material meant to rouse the crowd. “It’s danceable and exciting throughout,” Bell adds. For many bands—Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid and others—Cali Roots is an annual tour stop. But as a local band making its first appearance at the festival, Sensory Tribe’s excitement is palpable. “Going from playing in my bedroom to the fairgrounds—home of the Pop Festival—means everything,” explains Bell. El Kallpa remembers attending the festival eight years ago and dreaming of performing. “I didn’t realize how big it was, but I knew I belonged there,” he says. “It just took time.” Maak, who grew up in Morocco, recalls never imagining he’d even touch a keyboard due to the cost of music school. “So being able to play Cali Roots means a whole lot to me,” he says. Sanchez, raised by a mariachi violinist in Sacramento, echoed that sentiment: “If you put your all into music, it’ll take you places you weren’t expecting.” Sanchez was invited to join the Tribe on the occasion of Cali Roots. His trumpet will bolster the sax and trombone wielded by Cordell and Evelyn Nieto. For the members of Sensory Tribe, Cali Roots is more than a first time gig, it’s a milestone. “This is the best rendition of Sensory Tribe the Central Coast has ever seen,” Bell observes. Given that—and the current political climate—the timing couldn’t be better for the band’s first Cali Roots performance. By celebrating diversity and amplifying each of their multicultural members’ voices, Sensory Tribe is sending a message: people thrive when they feel valued and heard, and the music that emerges from that environment is greater than the sum of its parts and should be celebrated. Kindred Spirit Monterey band Sensory Tribe’s Cali Roots debut has its members fired up. By Tonia Eaton Cali Roots 2025 Each member of Sensory Tribe is essential to the band’s creative process. From left to right, they are Giscard “GScar” LueChung (guitar), Glenn Bell (bass), Izzy Romero (drums), Jose B. Sanchez (trumpet), Righteous Sistah (vocals), Julian Chavez (guitar), Gerardo “El Kallpa” Olivares (vocals) and Sweesly Maak (vocals, keyboard). Not pictured are Rebekah Cordell (sax) and Evelyn Nieto (trombone). DANIEL DREIFUSS “It’s danceable and exciting throughout.”
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