Neil Guleria, Trevor LaVecchia, and Brendan Steuart, the architect masterminds behind the psychedelic-rock band Free Whenever, graced Mercury Lounge on Saturday, October 12 as the lead-in openers for Telula, the six-piece funk headliner set to appear later on in the night.
While many in the crowd appeared to be unfamiliar with their catalog, a few agile and dexterous segments of guitar arpeggios proved to be a suitable introduction to Free Whenever’s freeform and easygoing musical philosophy.
Drawing from influences in the likes of Tame Impala and Khruangbin, Free Whenever, formed in 2020, has revamped the psychedelia artform to a version that’s much more their speed, which, in their own words, takes on “the ancient practice of long-form improvisation.”
While it may be a no-brainer to follow in the mimicry footsteps of their predecessors, however, the trio challenges any Khruangbin idolaters and gives them a run for their money, as minutes of cozy and lax synths rapidly cascade into a flurried whirlwind, chasing syncopated chords and reaching breathless highs that reveal an undertone of the band’s classical rock tastes.
With four years of improvisational wit under their belt (members of the band joined forces after a serendipitous meeting at a wedding gig playing Grateful Dead covers), Free Whenever looked comfortable in their skin riffing on tracks “Camino” and the velvety “Calypso,” off their fresh-off-the-rack self-titled EP, catapulting the crowd’s impressionable excitement and growing awe.
Soon after, Telula, complete with lead singer Tais Torres, drummer Lars Asmundsson, saxophonist Conor Smith, keyboardist Pete Rosales, bassist Lucas Aney, and guitarist Thomas Jensen, was greeted by fans with a hearty welcome.
The band — which has humble roots based out of their college dorm — eased into their set with carefree and mellow singles off their 2023 EP Fade, such as “3 1 2” and “Just What I Need,” leaning into the lather part of the night with the upbeat “No Rush.”
While tracks like “Never Enough” and even guest rapper and harmonicist appearances settled a soothing air over the audience, temporarily balming over unresolved anxieties and worries, the band shined best at each member’s standalone spotlights, where solos served as the proving grounds for the band’s overflowing flair and aptitude, with drums, sax, and guitar rising alongside each other, thrilling and exuberant in equal and balanced measure.
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