Khruangbin – The Universe Smiles Upon You
“Khruangbin”- is the band’s bassist’s favourite thai word which translates into “airplane” and was therefore picked as the Houston-based band’s name. Its three members - Laura Lee, Mark Speer and Donald Ray – all came together from different backgrounds and experiences: Mark Speer, who had been playing in a variety of bands across different genres wanted to go back to simply playing the guitar without using any special effects, such as pedalboards or loopers. In 2004 he then met Donald Ray “DJ” Johnson, when both played in the same church in Houston. Until then Donald had also played in several different settings, from Hip-Hop to Gospel on a variety of different instruments like bass, keyboard and the organ. Starting with Khruangbin, he went back to the first instrument he learnt to play on, but which he was the least experienced in – the drums. Being completely out of practice with his drumming, Donald really had to work on his techniques at the start of Khruangbin. However this is why he was able to create the specific trademark drumming sound of Khruangbin in all its looseness and modesty. In 2007 Mark Speer met Laura Lee who, at that time was still a school teacher. They instantly connected though their interests in foreign music and cultures. One thing led to another and Mark taught her to play the bass from scratch. With the broad experience of Mark Speer’s band career, he was very eager to encourage Laura Lee’s first attempt in playing within a band, this in addition, on a completely new instrument.
Unfolding Khruangbin’s Sound
Khruangbin’s trademark sound emerged by giving Laura the priority to lead the melody with the bass. In that process Mark adapted his guitar to her rhythm, which makes their sound as expectational. To them their melody arises through a conversation between the guitar and the bass, responding and interacting with each other. So it is very rare that they neither play at the same time nor repeat the same sequences, which has the effect of sounding as if there is more happening. The vocals of Laura Lee also appear in a very unique Khruangbin style. They add their singing to the instruments once the instrumental base of the track is done and subsequently figure out which parts need the support of just a hum, whispers or a few words, that may go well to create a suitable atmosphere. The result is a well-balanced harmony between the three: both the instruments and the vocals adjust on to each other rather than having the vocals dominating. Each component contributes to Khruangbins minimalistic sound aesthetic: their carefully coordinated interaction through the interplay between the bass and guitar, the drum’s subtle accompaniment to the melody and its mystic and dreamy vocal interjections.
All of the albums have been recorded in the same place- a remote barn in Houston, which according to them, have a huge effect of their sound aesthetic. Their purposely integrate the environment of the barn and do not want to isolate their recordings from its surrounding sounds -of bugs or trees that gently scrape against the side of the barn- sounds you want to hear and don’t want to talk over.
In their music you’d probably recognise influences across a wide spectrum of genres, especially thai funk, soul and psychedelic rock and over a broad variety of cultures. This variety is enigmatic of the band’s base - Houston which consists of a diversication of cultures, who all shape the identity of the city. Khruangbin state their music is subconsciously influenced by South-East Asian music, in particular thai funk. Similarly to the way they play bass and guitar, they see their multi-cultured source of musical influences like a conversation between different parts of the world. They aim to display the similarities between cultures and its people, rather than pointing out the differences, consequently creating music that show us the connection between cultures and its people. Khruangbin attempts to make everyone part of their music by avoiding potential language barriers. They display a huge international success touring worldwide thus its connecting effect across the whole world does work very well.
The Universe Smiles Upon You
The Universe Smiles Upon You, released in 2015, displays Khruangbins minimalistic low beat style the most and probably the best LP to get acquainted with Khruangbin. Its tracks are perfectly put together consisting of funky and jazzy arrangements. The LP contains Khruangbins most popular tracks People Everywhere (Still Alive) and Two Fish and an Elephant, that do indeed deserve special recognition as they represent Khruangbins’ flow and high expertise very well. Moreover, Derrn Kala displays a particular gripping grove with Mark Speer guitar playing developing from a flippant jam into hints of rocky sequences with Lauras strong, consistent bass line and Donalds subtle but perfectly elaborated drumming.
Another amazing track August Twelve shows Khruangbins divers mix of style starting off with a jazzy part but also integrating a psychedelic rock guitar line by Mark Speer which sounds really driven and rocking but then turning back to its smooth jazzy character. Another highlight of the album is right at the end with its incomparable track Zionsville. It is incredibly relaxing and takes you into a wistful state of mind, particularly through Mark Speers’ guitar creating so much easiness and nostalgia to the track.
Each song has its own particular groove and you really get the chance to fully get involved in their jams. Its simplicity is key to any of their songs- it enables oneself to discover a vast number of great arrangements and melodies, that can be attentively followed by its listener. This is probably the reason why this LP never gets boring as there is so much to discover and to perceive for oneself.
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