One of the most challenging band names to pronounce, yet one of the biggest trios of this century, Khruangbin has moved its concert dates from the end of May to three nights at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, on September 15-18, that have already sold out. With this being said, there are always tickets being sold elsewhere or even at the show for people who can’t make it or have changed their minds, just keep an eye out! E.g. vivid seats, ticket exchange, StubHub, Facebook, etc.
Khruangbin is a Houston-based RnB, soul, and psychedelic trio that I’m sure you’ve heard in a coffee shop at least once or twice. With Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald Ray “DJ” Johnson Jr. on drums these individuals are known for combining global influences into their unique sound including the history of Thai music in the 1960s, Spain, and the Middle Eastern culture.
Speer and Johnson met through playing in gospel band at a Methodist church in Houston, Texas with Johnson as the organist and Speer as the guitarist. Lee and Speer met through common friends where they bonded over Afghan music and Middle Eastern architecture. Speer inspired Lee to start learning the bass, and after months of guidance from Speer, Lee joined Speer on tour with Yppah who had opened for Bonobo. This inspired the two to start writing music together professionally. They started creating music in a barn together to craft their sound, then reaching out to Johnson to drum in the band- thus the creation of Khruangbin. The name came from Lee, her favorite Thai word while learning the language at the time of their formation.
Speer fronted the concept of “exploring the box you’re in” instead of trying to go out of the box too much. Speer would state “Music should never be just for the sake of being experimental. Before you start, you have to know what you’re experimenting with first.”
Shortly after their debut album in 2015, The Universe Smiles Upon You, they were named The Guardians “New Band of the Week,” opening for acts like Father John Misty, Tycho, Chicano Batman, and Massive Attack while also playing at some of the biggest festivals in the world like ACL, Outside Lands, Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, Desert Daze, and South by Southwest.
The band has then released three more albums which also included a live recording for Spotify, opening for Leon Bridges on tour, and their most popular song off their discography Texas Sun with more than 68 million listens, this trio has much more in store for the world to come.
Khruangbin
September 15-18
Doors: 7 pm
SOLD OUT (all shows)
All ages
Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
801 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
More information here
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