Free Whenever at Valley Craft Ales

Free Whenever’s music sits somewhere in between form (saguna) and formlessness (nirguna).

The band’s guiding philosophy and approach to making music is rooted in the ancient practice of long-form improvisation. The result is a unique blend of vintage psychedelia, dub reggae, eastern modality, and African rhythmic tradition that leaves listeners high — fully immersed in a synesthetic sound experience.

Founding members Neil Guleria and Trevor LaVecchia started recording out of their Brooklyn apartment in 2020, covering a range of styles from trip-hop electronica to desert psych rock. As the project took form and its true identity revealed itself, LaVecchia brought his affinity for chordal movement and song structures to the bass while Guleria complimented with melodic and atmospheric layers. Free Whenever’s self-proclaimed “psychedelic groove music” identity is built on their intertwining, conversational bass and guitar melodies over a backbone of Afro-Latin percussion and punchy, hip hop-inspired drums.

From a humble bedroom recording setup, the pair has put out five releases over a two-year period, including Open Air and Jam Junkies, Vol I & II, which garnered attention from a growing worldwide fanbase. Since then, the band has grown to include live contributor Brendan Steuart on drums allowing them to take their music from the streets of Manhattan to world-class venues like the Sultan Room and sharing the stage with artists such as Karina Rykman.