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Khruangbin

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Khruangbin
Khruangbin performing at the 2019 Haldern Pop Festival
Background information
OriginHouston, Texas, United States
Genres
Years active2010 (2010)–present
LabelsDead Oceans
Night Time Stories
Members
Websitekhruangbin.com

Khruangbin (/ˈkrʌŋbɪn/ KRUNG-bin; Thai: เครื่องบิน, lit. 'airplane', krʉ̂ʉang-bin, [kʰrɯa̯ŋ˥˩.bin]) is a musical trio from Houston, Texas. The band consists of Laura Lee Ochoa (bass guitar and vocals), Mark Speer (guitar and vocals), and DJ Johnson (drums, keyboards, and vocals).[2][3] The trio is known for blending music influences from across the globe, such as classic soul, dub, rock and psychedelia.[4][5]

In 2024, the band was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Background

[edit]
Donald "DJ" Johnson
Laura Lee Ochoa
Mark Speer

Speer and Johnson met in 2004 when they played for Pastor Rudy Rasmus' St. John's Methodist Church gospel band in Houston, Texas. The church employed Speer as the guitarist and Johnson as the organist.[6] The two musicians attended a bar after Tuesday night rehearsal, and Speer revealed his extensive knowledge of music from around the globe. Johnson calls him "a music encyclopedia" and Speer told The New York Times Magazine that as a child, he was obsessed with the Microsoft Encarta CD-ROM's catalog of music samples from around the world.[7]

In 2007, Speer met Ochoa through friends, where they initially connected over a shared love of Afghan music and Middle Eastern architecture.[8] In 2009, Ochoa, who had trained on guitar and piano, started to learn the bass with guidance from Speer. After playing for six months, she auditioned and got the gig to be the bassist for Yppah on his upcoming tour. Speer already had the gig as guitarist for Yppah and had encouraged Ochoa to audition.[9] In 2010, both Ochoa and Speer went on tour with Yppah who opened for Bonobo.[10]

The tour motivated the two of them to make music together more seriously, leading them to form Khruangbin.[11] Speer and Ochoa went to a barn where they developed the bass-heavy, psychedelic sound that became the basis of the band's aesthetic.[11] Upon their return, they asked Johnson to join the band as drummer, to play simple break-beats under the guitar and bass.[12] The barn, located in the 300-person town of Burton, Texas, would become the site of many future Khruangbin recording sessions.[13] The band has a long-term working relationship with Houston-based engineer Steve Christensen.[14]

When asked to play their first gig, Ochoa, who was learning to speak Thai at the time, decided they should use her favorite Thai word "khruangbin" (Thai: เครื่องบิน; RTGS: khrueang bin), which means "airplane", as their name.[15] Speer said that, had they had the foresight to predict the band's success, they might not have chosen a name that was so difficult to pronounce.[12] Khruangbin has stated their name "symbolises the international set of influences that shaped our music".[15]

Speer described the band's creative process as focused.

"When we first started the band, we wanted to have a formula,” he says. “It’s like, ‘This is what we do, and we’re not gonna try and go outside the box too much. We’re gonna explore the box we’re in. I’ve always been a big fan of that. I used to be in bands where was like, ‘Man, we’ve gotta think outside the box!’ And all I’m thinking is: ‘You guys don’t even know.’ Music should never be just for the sake of being experimental. Before you even start, you have to know what you’re experimenting with first.”[16]

A notable part of the band's visual style is the black wigs that Ochoa and Speer wear on stage and during promotional interviews and photoshoots.[17]

Career

[edit]

The Universe Smiles Upon You

[edit]

After touring with Bonobo, Khruangbin's song "Calf Born in Winter" was included on his 2013 Late Night Tales compilation.[18] The song became one of the most popular tracks on the record, helping create an initial audience[11] for the band's first EP, History of Flight, and debut album, The Universe Smiles Upon You, in 2015.[19] The 2015 debut draws from the history of Thai music in the 1960s, specifically from luk thung.

Shortly thereafter, Khruangbin were named The Guardian's "New Band of the Week,"[15] opening for acts like Father John Misty,[8] Tycho,[20] Chicano Batman, and Massive Attack.[21] They also joined the festival circuit, playing a string of festivals like Lockn, Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, ACL, Outside Lands, Desert Daze, and South by Southwest.[20]

In 2017, the band covered "Ma Beham Nemiresim" by Googoosh, a popular Iranian singer, for the Philia: Artists Rise Against Islamophobia compilation,[22][23] and created a Tehran-specific playlist on Spotify, in addition to many other city-specific playlists, as part of their AirKhruang DJ series.[24]

Con Todo el Mundo

[edit]
Khruangbin at All Points East 2018

In January 2018, Khruangbin released their second album, Con Todo el Mundo.[20] The title of the album came from Ochoa's Mexican-American grandfather, who would often ask, "How do you love me?" ("¿Cómo me quieres?") and would only accept one response, "Con todo el mundo" or, in English, "with all the world."[19] The band said the title of the record is also a reference to the diverse range of musical influences that inspired it, primarily from the Middle East.[8] Later in the year they recorded live for Spotify an arrangement of the Indian song "Khuda Bhi Aasman Se", played by Mohammed Rafi in the movie Dharti.[25][26] Con Todo el Mundo (2018), has influences from Spain, and, with regard to the Middle East, specifically Iran.[2]

Speer, Ochoa, and Johnson also hosted "AirKhruang" radio shows on NTS Radio and Facebook Live.[24]

They opened for Leon Bridges on his 2018 tour, as well as Trey Anastasio's Ghosts of the Forest tour in 2019.[27] In 2019, Trey Anastasio also joined Khruangbin on stage at Lockn' Music Festival. In 2020, the group was featured on the cover of Relix.[28]

Mordechai

[edit]

Khruangbin's third studio album, Mordechai, was released in June 2020 on Dead Oceans.[29] Three singles were released from the album, "Time (You & I)", "So We Won't Forget", and "Pelota".[30][31][32] The band also relaunched their AirKhruang DJ series, and the following year appeared on Austin City Limits performing with Leon Bridges.[33][34]

Khruangbin performing at The Anthem, 2022

The band's live appearances in 2022 included at St David's Hall for 6 Music Festival in Cardiff,[35][36][37][38] the Park Stage at the Glastonbury Festival,[39] and headlining the Cross The Tracks Festival in South London.[40]

Ali

[edit]

On September 23, 2022, the band released the album Ali, a collaboration with Vieux Farka Touré, featuring eight tracks of covers of songs by Vieux's father, Ali Farka Touré.[41][42]

In 2023, the band's 2014 single, A Calf Born in Winter, appeared as part of the soundtrack of the comedy-drama film, The Holdovers.

A La Sala

[edit]

In January 2024, the band announced their fourth solo album, A La Sala, which was released on April 5, 2024, and shared a video for a new song, "A Love International."[43]

The band played both weekends of the 2024 ACL Music Festival in October 2024 in Austin, Texas.

In November 2024, the band was Grammy-nominated as Best New Artist.[44]

Genre and style

[edit]

Khruangbin's style does not fit neatly into an existing genre.[45] The New York Times called it "extremely slippery, genrewise (Is it psychedelic lounge dub? Desert surf rock? The sound you hear inside a lava lamp?)."[7] Mostly instrumental,[46] the band's sound has been described as soul, surf rock, psychedelic, rock, dub and funk,[46][47] with one website even describing them as "electronic".[45] The most commonly used term to describe Khruangbin's music is Thai funk,[45] though the band members themselves challenge the convention of genres, publicly refusing to be pigeonholed into one particular label.[45] As music journalist Rob Shepherd noted for PostGenre, "the [name Khruangbin], which translates to 'flying engine' or airplane in Thai, is perfect for their music as it often crosses borders and cultures."[48] The New York Times wrote that Khruangbin's sound was so distinct and popular that "there now exists an entire subgenre of music broadly known as 'Khruangbin vibes.'"[7] The band focuses on simple gear and setup. In 2024, Ochoa said she has not changed the strings on her bass since 2010.[45]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[49] 		AUS
[50] 		BEL
[51] 		FRA
[52] 		GER
[53] 		IRL
[54] 		NLD
[55] 		NZ
[56] 		SWI
[57] 		UK
[58]
The Universe Smiles upon You — — 120 — — — — — — —
Con Todo el Mundo
  • Released: January 26, 2018
  • Label: Dead Oceans/Night Time Stories
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 — — 46 — — — 91 — — 82
Mordechai
  • Released: June 26, 2020
  • Label: Dead Oceans/Night Time Stories
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 31 4 4 165 8 52 5 10 11 7
Ali
(with Vieux Farka Touré)
  • Released: September 23, 2022
  • Label: Dead Oceans
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 — 61 10 — 24 — 16 36 — 47
A La Sala
  • Released: April 5, 2024[59]
  • Label: Dead Oceans
  • Formats: Digital download, LP, streaming
 38 14 3 87 2 80 6 14 7 18
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

[edit]
  • เครื่องบิน (2011)
  • The Infamous Bill (2014)
  • History of Flight (2015)
  • Spotify Singles (2018)
  • Texas Sun (with Leon Bridges, 2020)
  • Texas Moon (with Leon Bridges, 2022)[60] – No. 23 Billboard 200[61]

Compilation albums

[edit]
  • 全てが君に微笑む (2019, Night Time Stories; Beat Records)

Remix albums

[edit]

Live recordings

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected peak chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album/EP
US
AAA
[63] 		US
Rock
[64] 		BEL
Tip
[51] 		ICE
[65] 		NL
Air.
[66] 		NZ
Hot
[67] 		SCO
[68] 		UK
Sales
[69] 		UK
Indie
[70]
"A Calf Born in Winter" 2014 — — — — — — — —[A] — Non-album single
"White Gloves" 2015 — — — — — — — — — The Universe Smiles Upon You
"People Everywhere (Still Alive)" 2016 — — — — — — — —[B] —
"Maria También" 2017 — — — — — — — — — Con Todo el Mundo
"Friday Morning" 2018 — — — — — — — — —
"Christmas Time Is Here" — — — — — — — —[C] — Non-album single
"Texas Sun"
(with Leon Bridges) 		2019 17 20 3 — 34 37 17 15 42 Texas Sun
"Time (You and I)" 2020 40 45 16 12 — — — — — Mordechai
"So We Won't Forget" — — — — — — — —[D] —
"Pelota" — — 37 — — — — —[E] —
"Summer Madness" — — — — — — — — — Late Night Tales: Khruangbin
"Dearest Alfred (MyJoy)" 2021 — — — — — — — —[F] — Non-album singles
"The Answer Is" — — — — — — — —[G] —
"One to Remember" — — — — — — — —[H] — Mordechai
"Barn Breaks Vol. III" — — — — — — — —[I] — Non-album single
"B-Side"
(with Leon Bridges) 		7 49 — — — 34 — — — Texas Moon
"A Love International" 2024 31 — — — — — — — — A La Sala
"May Ninth" — — — — — 39 — — —
"Pon Pón" — — — — — 40 — — —
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

[edit]
List of other charted songs, with selected peak chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album/EP
NZ
Hot
[67]
"Hold Me Up (Thank You)" 2024 30 A La Sala

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "A Calf Born in Winter" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 95 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[58]
  2. ^ "People Everywhere (Still Alive)" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 41 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[58]
  3. ^ "Christmas Time Is Here" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number four on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[58]
  4. ^ "So We Won't Forget" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 60 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[73]
  5. ^ "Pelota" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 19 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[74]
  6. ^ "Dearest Alfred (MyJoy)" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 7 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[75]
  7. ^ "The Answer Is" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[76]
  8. ^ "One to Remember" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 9 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[77]
  9. ^ "Barn Breaks Vol. III" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 5 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.[78]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The rise of psych-rockers Khruangbin". the Guardian. June 30, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Khruangbin takes fans on a sonic journey to Thailand — and beyond". Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  3. ^ Bradley, Ryan (April 10, 2024). "How Khruangbin's Sound Became the New Mood Music". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Brownswood Basement: Gilles Peterson with Khruangbin and Lefto – Pre-Worldwide Awards Special – Worldwide FM". Worldwidefm.net. Archived from the original on April 16, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  5. ^ "Khruangbin | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  6. ^ [1] [permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ a b c Bradley, Ryan (April 10, 2024). "How Khruangbin's Sound Became the New Mood Music". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Rhodes, Margaret (January 30, 2018). "Khruangbin's Feel-Good Funk Is Undeniable". Vulture.com.
  9. ^ Moore, Marcus J. (June 15, 2020). "'Was It a Lost Psych-Funk Classic? It's Khruangbin, Right Now'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  10. ^ "Khruangbin – A Calf Born in Winter". Echoesanddust.com. May 12, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c "Night Time Stories - Release - Khruangbin – A Calf Born In Winter". Nighttimestories.co.uk.
  12. ^ a b "Khruangbin's Mark Speer: Addicted to Reverb". Premierguitar.com. March 8, 2018.
  13. ^ "How a Thai Funk, Surf Soul Trio Named Khruangbin Found Their Groove in a Texas Barn". Noisey.vice.com. November 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "Steve Christensen | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c Lester, Paul (September 11, 2015). "New band of the week: Khruangbin (No 70)". The Guardian.
  16. ^ "Khruangbin: Chasing the Eternal Sunrise". Relix.com. January 26, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  17. ^ "Interview: Khruangbin, the band making American rock music under the influence of Thai molam". Coconuts.co. August 17, 2018.
  18. ^ "How a Thai Funk, Surf Soul Trio Named Khruangbin Found Their Groove in a Texas Barn". Noisey.vice.com. November 4, 2015.
  19. ^ a b Gotrich, Lars (January 26, 2018). "Khruangbin's Vibrant 'Con Todo El Mundo' Is Drawn From Life". Npr.org.
  20. ^ a b c "Khruangbin Join Dead Oceans – Announce New Album 'Con Todo El Mundo' Out January 26th News :: Dead Oceans". Deadoceans.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  21. ^ "Whelan's " Blog Archive " KHRUANGBIN". Whelanslive.com. November 17, 2017.
  22. ^ CDBaby. "Khruangbin - Ma Be Ham Nemiresim (Googoosh cover)". Retrieved April 13, 2022 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "Philia - Artists Rise Against Islamophobia, by Sub Rosa Curation". Sub Rosa Curation. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Khruangbin Wants to Take You on a Musical Trip With AirKhruang". Billboard.com.
  25. ^ "Khruangbin Covers 'Khuda Bhi Aasman Se' For 'Spotify Singles'". JamBase.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  26. ^ "Spotify Singles". Open.spotify.com. June 6, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  27. ^ "Trey Anastasio Ghosts of the Forest | Greek Theatre". Thegreekberkeley.com.
  28. ^ "New Relix Issue ft. Khruangbin!". Relix.com. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  29. ^ "Khruangbin Hopes Their New Album 'Mordechai' Sounds Like the World". Wmagazine.com. June 26, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  30. ^ "Khruangbin Announce New Album, Share Lead Single "Time (You and I)"". Hypebeast. April 28, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  31. ^ "WATCH: Khruangbin Shares Video for Alluring "So We Won't Forget" - Glide Magazine". glidemagazine.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  32. ^ "WATCH: Khruangbin Shares Video for Enticing New Track "Pelota" - Glide Magazine". glidemagazine.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  33. ^ "Leon Bridges / Khruangbin". Austin City Limits. Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved April 13, 2022. Season 47 | Episode 4706
  34. ^ "Episode recap: Leon Bridges/Khruangbin". Austin City Limits. November 4, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  35. ^ "Khruangbin". 6 Music Festival 2022. BBC Music Events. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  36. ^ "BBC 6 Music Festival: Khruangbin, Ezra Collective at St David's Hall, Cardiff". Resident Advisor. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  37. ^ "BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2022 to take place in Cardiff". Visit Cardiff. February 15, 2022. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  38. ^ "Ticket Information". 6 Music Festival. BBC. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  39. ^ Hughes, David (June 26, 2022). "The Glastonbury 2022 line-up in full, with set times and headliners for every stage". inews.co.uk. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  40. ^ Gregory, Elizabeth (June 1, 2022). "Cross The Tracks festival 2022: Tickets, line-up and all you need to know". Evening Standard. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  41. ^ Petridis, Alexis (September 23, 2022). "Vieux Farka Touré and Khruangbin: Ali review – inspired grooves to get lost in". The Guardian. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  42. ^ Evan Minsker (July 27, 2022). "Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré Announce New Album Ali, Share New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  43. ^ "Khruangbin Announce New Album A la Sala, Share Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  44. ^ "2025 GRAMMYs Nominations: Best New Artist Nominees | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  45. ^ a b c d e "Who Needs Genre Anyway? The Universal Groove of Khruangbin". Clashmusic.com. February 15, 2018.
  46. ^ a b Trammell, Matthew (March 30, 2016). "Listening Booth: Thailand's Shadow Music". Newyorker.com.
  47. ^ "Khruangbin | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  48. ^ Shepherd, Rob (February 11, 2020). "Five Genre-Defying Selections from the Newport Jazz Festival's First Wave of 2020 Performers". Postgenre.org. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  49. ^
  50. ^ Peaks in Australia:
  51. ^ a b "Discografie Khruangbin". Belgium (Flanders) Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  52. ^ "Discographie Khruangbin". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  53. ^ "Discographie Khruangbin". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  54. ^ "Discography Khruangbin". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  55. ^ "Discografie Khruangbin". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  56. ^ "Discography Khruangbin". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  57. ^ "Khruangbin Hitparade". Hit Parade. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  58. ^ a b c d "KHRUANGBIN - Full Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  59. ^ Bloom, Madison (January 16, 2024). "Khruangbin Announce New Album A la Sala, Share Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  60. ^ Bloom, Madison (December 8, 2021). "Khruangbin and Leon Bridges Announce New EP, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  61. ^ "Billboard 200 - Week of March 5, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  62. ^ "Khruangbin Releasing Five Live Albums Before End of Year". Spin.com. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  63. ^ "Adult Alternative Songs - May 2, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  64. ^ "Hot Rock Songs - May 16, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  65. ^ "Vinsældalisti Rásar 2 - RÚV". RÚV (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  66. ^ "Netherlands Airplay Chart - January 18, 2020". Mega Charts. January 18, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  67. ^ a b Peaks on the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart:
  68. ^ Peaks in Scotland:
  69. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  70. ^ "Texas Sun Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  71. ^ "British certifications – Khruangbin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 5, 2023. Type Khruangbin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  72. ^ "American single certifications – Khruangbin – Texas Sun". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  73. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  74. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  75. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  76. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  77. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  78. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
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