Khruangbin is an American musical trio known for their unique blend of global influences, including Thai funk, surf rock, psychedelia, and soul. Khruangbin was formed in Houston, Texas, in 2010. The band consists of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald "DJ" Johnson on drums. The trio's name, "Khruangbin," is Thai for "airplane" or "flying engine," reflecting their global musical influences and wanderlust.
Khruangbin's music is characterized by its laid-back grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and atmospheric instrumentation. Their sound often incorporates elements of Thai funk, Middle Eastern music, African rhythms, and 1960s-70s psychedelic rock. Khruangbin gained attention with their debut album, "The Universe Smiles Upon You" (2015), which drew inspiration from Thai funk and soul music of the 1960s and 1970s. They followed up with "Con Todo El Mundo" (2018), which further expanded their sonic palette. In 2020, they released "Mordechai," which continued to blend diverse influences while incorporating more vocals into their music.
One of Khruangbin's distinguishing features is their predominantly instrumental approach. While they incorporate vocals into some tracks, the band often emphasizes instrumental interplay, allowing their music to speak through melody, rhythm, and texture.