Biography
Verma, a Chicago-rooted collective, channels the legacies of progressive rock titans, Krautrock innovators, and psychedelic forebears into a singular aesthetic that shifts fluidly between detached serenity and visceral force, all anchored by persistent rhythmic foundations. The lineup comprises Johnny Caluya handling guitar and keyboards, Zach Corn on drums, Rob Goerke on bass, Whitney Johnson delivering vocals alongside keyboards and viola, and TJ Tambellini covering keyboards, guitar, and vocals.
The ensemble first drew attention in 2010 through two cassette releases that resonated with attentive audiences: Verma via Plus Tapes and Salted Earth on Priority Male. An assortment of spontaneous compositions appeared as Verma II during autumn 2011, followed by the band's inaugural full-length effort, EXU, which they issued themselves on vinyl and in digital formats during October 2012. Vice enlisted the group to score their documentary The Vice Guide to the Congo, resulting in the June 2013 release of Coltan on the Chicago indie pop imprint Trouble in Mind, featuring two extended selections from that soundtrack. That same summer saw the HoZac label issue the 7" single "Ragnaraak."
May 2014 brought another collaboration with Trouble in Mind in the form of Sunrunner, even as Tambellini's participation became constrained by his move to California, though his dedication to the band and local scene persisted. Their third Trouble in Mind album, the astronomy-infused Mul.Apin, arrived in November 2015. Beyond Verma, Goerke and Tambellini collaborate in the side endeavor Wetlands while also pursuing individual projects; Johnson contributes to the group E+ and maintains the solo outlet Matchess; Corn performs with Get Off the Cross the Wood Is Needed; and Caluya appears alongside Quarter Mile Thunder as well as Robbie Hamilton.
The ensemble first drew attention in 2010 through two cassette releases that resonated with attentive audiences: Verma via Plus Tapes and Salted Earth on Priority Male. An assortment of spontaneous compositions appeared as Verma II during autumn 2011, followed by the band's inaugural full-length effort, EXU, which they issued themselves on vinyl and in digital formats during October 2012. Vice enlisted the group to score their documentary The Vice Guide to the Congo, resulting in the June 2013 release of Coltan on the Chicago indie pop imprint Trouble in Mind, featuring two extended selections from that soundtrack. That same summer saw the HoZac label issue the 7" single "Ragnaraak."
May 2014 brought another collaboration with Trouble in Mind in the form of Sunrunner, even as Tambellini's participation became constrained by his move to California, though his dedication to the band and local scene persisted. Their third Trouble in Mind album, the astronomy-infused Mul.Apin, arrived in November 2015. Beyond Verma, Goerke and Tambellini collaborate in the side endeavor Wetlands while also pursuing individual projects; Johnson contributes to the group E+ and maintains the solo outlet Matchess; Corn performs with Get Off the Cross the Wood Is Needed; and Caluya appears alongside Quarter Mile Thunder as well as Robbie Hamilton.
Albums
