Knowledge Arena: In conversation with: Khruangbin

"We've all been funky at one point, we can be funky again"
We sat down with Khruangbin during Dimensions 2017 to discuss funk music, wigs and more...

[@cucky_monster]

Mark is the kind of guy you pass a joint to and he passes two back

[@willlloyd9480]

The way DJ just lets the others speak without forcing his message, is exactly why I love his drumming. He drums the exact same way, super disciplined, humble and in the pocket. Absolutely love these 3 for everything they are and offer

[@aryanafarsai5818]

And that is EXACTLY the way he plays too - so gracious and amazing. Also when he speaks, you LISTEN - because it ALL makes sense. He is the embodiment of the Eckhart Tolle quote: Work hard in silence, let success be your noise.

[@SVIRIDOVf]

Он очень крут, поэтому и молчелив

[@chemistryset1]

DJ very humble regarding his ability, his drumming isn't flashy, but he is rock. solid. and subtle as hell.

[@JOOSINable]

Absolutely durty

[@sagekult5044]

Homeboy is heavy in pocket.

[@Xirsuyx]

He might be Russell from gorillaz brought to life. Haha. What a talent DJ is!

[@sachiokun]

@@Xirsuyx "...not his muscles but percussion he provides"

[@lucasvy6747]

it's so difficult to be like a bounded drummer, cause everyone wants to show off.

[@IntuitiveCoachTheresa]

My 24 year old son just told me about this band last night. I was hooked in 5 seconds. Very special something. I love also how they didn't come from pedigree bloodline bs, just 3 folks with a heart and soul for music. That's cool. 12 hours later I'm already slightly obsessed and really inspired to learn to play music myself. Never too late. God bless everybody.

[@rb032682]

@Theresa - Cool. My 39-year-old son just told me about this band two days ago. Never too late.

[@GooDogProductions]

We are so lucky that this younger generation dig and make this kind of music so in tune with us 70's creatures. I think I discovered this band on my own through Spotify, not sure, maybe it was my son. Hooked instantly. Love these guys, love to work in my jewelry studio listening to their riffs and licks.

[@Namguin]

@@GooDogProductions Same I manage a clothing shop and play Khruangbin any chance I get. Also would love to know if you make men's rings

[@biggred333]

Get it man, get it!!!

[@poolboyq9752]

They’re an amazing band to say the least. I listen to them everyday hahaha they’re amazing

[@dc-md1si]

Omg...i'm from Suriname...never expected to hear my countries name from one of my fave band... usually no one knows where Suriname is..seems like its a small world after all...bless and love from Suriname..soso lobi💜💜💚💚

[@TheBlackCrayon77]

God literally consulted with that drummer when he invented time. He's so good

[@omairsheikh3982]

Holy shit the drummer CAN smile!! :D

[@tarheel777100]

The Jesus dude is chill AF. He'd be cool to hang out with.

[@kevinjohn2592]

When I die, I want to be reincarnated as a cow at their ranch.

[@clintonreid4336]

Haha 😆

[@ApolloSuns]

That's the best compliment ever

[@wsebaste]

"we've all been funky at one point: we can be funky again." words of wisdom

[@dxwallace55]

nice...

[@sooperheep]

The Texas funk is strong🦾

[@MarlonDaltonArt]

I'd never heard of these guys until my dog came in one night with a USB memory stick in his mouth and when listened to what was on it I discovered it was all their music, I've been hooked ever since!

[@jerrykendrick2955]

Your dog apparently runs in some very cool circles.

[@user-my6yn1uo3b]

Thats like the best way to discover a band

[@WildxChiild]

Now that's wild.

[@PS_ItsMe]

Please create a sitcom.

[@tonywords6713]

i love the guitarist advocating not drinking or doing drugs on stage but eating healthy and doing yoga

[@EzeICE]

Laura is so humble when talking about her bass-playing. Homegirl got more chops than 1000 knives in a Gordon Ramsey kitchen!!! Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttt!!!!!

[@raymondwelborne4998]

She has NO chops. But she's got more pocket that 20 pair of pants.

[@EzeICE]

@@raymondwelborne4998 Lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣 now that's actually the drummer though.

[@christopherwakin4326]

nah

[@jonr7207]

Yuhhhhhh

[@ynotegg]

Mark is a smooth operator.

[@wilhelm4089]

Thank God for Khruangbin!

[@danny.nedelk0]

organized religion*

[@3264headtrip]

AMEN!

[@palmtreesheart8887]

Amen

[@nyonor7314]

Praise da goood brovah praise da cheeeses!! Hallelujah!

[@reedcrisis]

God is a DJ. God wears a wig.

[@tonydalllas]

DJ need a wig too

[@jthrilla84]

Tony D his beard is fake lol

[@ahmetbilgin4350]

That would be great. lol

[@thelastjedi1112]

With blonde wig

[@Hjernded]

nah :P

[@Therover19]

Same joke on every Khruangbin vid.

[@xJason72x]

"Everybody was funky at one time, let's get funky again" - a quote for the ages

[@szamee83]

“We’ve all been funky before. We can be funky again.” Heads nodding in agreement.

[@claudearchibald]

I haven't liked a band this much in a long time. Such likeable people. I totally get what mark was saying about songs in other languages. And cows are amazing! They love tunes!

[@palmtreesheart8887]

Perhaps you would love also a band called Dungen if you don't already know them :) !!! Peace

[@Chris.L.P.]

@@palmtreesheart8887 why would you even mention that??? No, there's nothing like it!!!!

[@CrumplyPizza]

Right... Idk if it's the fact that I'm a Texan too so I can relate to their chill personas and southern attitude.

[@kaunisrumilus]

Correct! The reason for that is all that Jesus, Holy Spirit and God in their hearts!!

[@3John16]

Christian's.

[@Alpha_7227]

And 3 years later Paul McCartney asks them to do a cover of one of his songs - amazing.

[@davidlister6721]

Yup. And they make it totally different and amazing

[@Rubin4749]

I hope these 3 stay together at least 10 years. I'm so sick of great bands breaking up after all of their egos start to inflate.

[@xJason72x]

there's a lot of gold in this interview, but I really like how Mark espouses the importance of healthy eating, in lieu of quick fix fast food when you're stressed, or burdened with a struggle such as being out on the road or performing. There is a correlation between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Solid

[@wyattpace5649]

This was a great episode of Cowboy Bebop

[@ench56]

Woah, you are on to something

[@lastsonofktn]

Big laughs

[@polskpojjkeh]

bruh

[@RedHeroe1]

you made my head explote

[@jacoblilio9906]

"we've all been funky at one point, we can be funky agian"

[@okayokaynowkids7673]

*agien

[@abcdefghijklmno3764]

Okay okay, Now kids *agiaen

[@kourada]

what a bunch of cuties, i just want to give them a squeezie hug, they are so grounded and special

[@leafsmithleafsmith691]

Just been listening to them, definitely these guys have got the vibe.They just Gel together so well.Just a good advert for for getting together and making music with your mates.

[@PAULYHEDRA]

Gotta love Laura's pure vibe and energy!

[@eask11]

And she’s a smoke show

[@ultikintil]

The interviewer is really good!

[@NImH]

It's so reinvigorating to see this: 3 friends who love the music they make together, and love each other. A recipe for true soul expression.

[@yogagwx]

hair formula: DJ + Laura = Mark

[@BrI12bubleh]

yogagwx. 😂😂😂

[@muhamadilhamdwiputra8155]

wkwk

[@mattsathrohan288]

Hahahahaaa

[@djkilabeat]

One of the few times you begin to like a band *even more* just hearing them talk. Super down to earth and chill. Just like their music

[@anthonygima4859]

Interviewer asking some really good questions too!

[@stephen3511]

Three cool cats, great musicians and nice people

[@Cecedemilia]

Humble natural people - such a nice loving organic trio. Gives me faith in humanity again.

[@pencilboy34]

I heard Maria Tambien playing in a gas station bathroom and immeditatly connected to the beauty of the song. Led me through a rabbit hole and im currently obsessed with this band!!! Such beautifiul souls with immense talent.

[@zethumpama9653]

I usually refrain from knowing the people in my fav bands personally but I'm pleasantly surprised with these three. God bless ya'll.

[@zethumpama9653]

laughs at how this sentence makes me sound like I have met them...in person

[@user-my6yn1uo3b]

Why.refrain?

[@andrewblack7852]

Artist and cow friend here... yea cows are amazing. People just don’t know how cool cows are.

[@theslyngl]

Why the fuck eat them then lol

[@Johnny-cv8oe]

I loved the way Mark & Laura giggled when DJ said he left the barn and "Mark and Laura just banged it out".

[@energyasylum997]

Ikr!

[@pshhh7856]

They all seem like just really genuine,cool people. I dig their sound. Keep going

[@ditroradio]

Why name Khruangbin? Why the wigs? The answers at 32:00.

[@tyreemorrison732]

Just discovered these 3 yesterday, their tiny desk performance randomly came on while I was cleaning and I stopped soon as I heard white gloves as was like what wait WHO ARE THEY .. been running thru their whole catalog since and I’m excited for their new album, I really discovered them at the perfect time

[@christopherrusch]

i love their relationship with each other, so genuine and warm

[@oriontashquinth8437]

It would be so awesome if Chicano batman and Khruangbin had a collab

[@veroconpaz]

Had the privilege to listen to Khruangbin and Chicano Batman in Atlanta, Georgia in 2017. Beautiful music! A collab would be awesome!

[@natejones6658]

@@veroconpaz same in boston at paradise rock club :)

[@sbingham1979]

I love this band. Just discovered them. I love the way they actually PLAY their instruments - use technology as a tool to compose with, but no loop pedals: YAY! They are the real thing. This drummer is better than any drum machine could ever, ever sound like - why? Because the sound is warm, human, real, made by human hands, spiritual. Same with the other two. No technology can ever touch that.

[@progpalace]

What's spiritual about not using technology?

[@junglajuan]

you never play an instrument right? tecnology is for artist not for critics

[@danbobakov]

Dude uses an El capistan that has a looper

[@kevinlebrun2307]

A delay pedal does not record passages and loops back, rather it records a single note/attack and plays it back numerous times

[@danbobakov]

Kevin Lebrun I have both a looper pedal and a delay pedal, and know the diference. An el capistan has a looper function.

[@mongofan1]

You've only been playing bass since 2010? !!!! You play with such feeling and skill, I am amazed.

[@roguenation]

She plays competently, however, Spears' showstopping guitar is obviously the focal point of the group.

[@Agothygoth]

mongofan1 right!! Omg!

[@seankessel3867]

@@roguenation the real focal point is her hips, without a doubt

[@jordangleave2435]

Eight years is plenty of time to get good at music man

[@WayneE42]

@@jordangleave2435 A very astute observation. 😁

[@RedPlayerOne]

I love how much this band loves each other :)

[@ericw6923]

These guys just seem like the most down to earth, chill musicians. I'd love to smoke a j or crack a beer with this bunch

[@dylannolan7454]

read that as "I'd like to smoke a j or crack " and was confused

[@randomanton]

@@dylannolan7454 same

[@rokeeffe91]

Aw DJ, I didn't expect him to be so soft spoken

[@auralnalle]

Laura is an amazing bass player for someone who hasn’t been playing that long. This is very inspired. :)

[@barbosahMX]

"I dont wanna depend too much on like, extra shit.." hahaah I love that man

[@HalfNav]

Legit, I read this comment as he said it. Some wild shit.

[@LeniePerez]

32:46 i think the name 'khruangbin' for a band is the coolest and it fits perfectly with their music. I love this band so much

[@ericaso6508]

imagine ur old math teacher being laura

[@Max-sc9gt]

21:54 DJ's view on priorities in life are spot on. very down to earth. Gotta love those three!

[@jamaicahines]

yall are beautiful people

[@tonydeaton1967]

It's September of 2022 and I just fell ass-backwards into this little band. I've been a practicing hard-rock guitar player for fifty years and I think they are freshest, most naturally talented musicians to come along in a long, long time.

[@weslambert6491]

Wonderful human beings. Musical ambassadors sharing their vision of the world with the rest of the world. Puree Genius!!!

[@Agothygoth]

Omg I love to hear them talk! They are just too smooth!

[@taopanda98]

Smooth like butter yes!!!

[@CamoHorizon]

Just now discovering them after Mordechai, anyone with me?!?! Man im loving every second

[@forefinga7245]

Been bingeing on all their material since discovering them 2 days ago

[@CamoHorizon]

Forefinga same

[@gcsugirl]

I was supposed to see them two years ago and flaked and I’m just discovering them with Mordechai smh! But so happy I finally discovered them!

[@riccoross95]

Love this band and their family feel. Especially, Laura Lee! Guys when you hit LA I want to take you guys all to dinner. The world needs more bands like this!

[@vcp93]

Bands like this make me so happy. I love discovering "interesting" bands that have a sense of distinction. In a world (country) currently so seemingly bereft of hope and beauty....this helps....a lot. I love that, "....we just 1-2-3 go..." That's how most of the great songs were written. Cheers Khruangbin!

[@reedcrisis]

DJ is such a sweet person. Haha, one day we'll see them without wigs. Would actually be fun if DJ wears one while the others don't.

[@arikayemusic]

an april fools concert lol

[@jaydom8264]

“The universe smiles upon you” Daaaaamn my boy!!

[@B0SS330]

Mordechai is their best album so far and their live Pitchfork performance is legendary !

[@paddyboomvideos]

These guys are super legit; knowledgeable as phuk about incredible global music and very down to earth. I am super in love with their musical mood, wigs, the humbleness (and sex appeal) of Laura and the freedom of their ideas . I hope they don't get up their arses with their fame because the music biz needs more of this!!

[@matt_pacheco_music]

the guitarist is...Mitch Hedberg?

[@jondeere2312]

R.I.P Mitch

[@TheTeacherman2]

THAT'S IT! I could NOT place that voice. You've saved me HOURS of trying to figure it out.

[@ifwecouldvote]

HAHA yes, that's it! I knew I was trying to think who it was too! His sentences are pure Mitch Hedberg, but without the punchlines.

[@daddilonglegzastrology8043]

You beat me to it lol. RIP Mitch Hedberg

[@onyachamp]

I used to do drugs.........I still do drugs, but I used to too

[@seantaylor8123]

So cute how she bent her fingers back when she didn’t get the mic back

[@xx_PCCR_xx]

Sean Taylor I noticed that too

[@robotgoose225]

She did that then i read that comment.. CRAZY!

[@robotgoose225]

Bv Onj oh gawd kno's.. silly stuff.. great interview LOVE your band... all the very very best to you x d

[@robotgoose225]

Bv Onj you from the band....? Good luck with your band also... lol!

[@damnSpambackwards]

It's a good stretch to do if you work with your hands. She plays bass. Hard work for hands. So, yeah, stretch and release. Good for ya. Works for me pretty well.

[@gagefoster4901]

Found them a week ago, hypnotized and in love with their music and love their personalities just as much now

[@jarrydcuthbertson2739]

"We don't use click tracks", said the metronome

[@howdypreston]

listening to this interview only makes me love them more

[@miguelcorleone6633]

I recently found out about this band and like their music.

[@versnellingspookie]

They're all such lovely, likeable people. You can hear that in their music for sure!

[@kangaroofoot]

For how different the music is, these guys really make me feel at home with all their stories about crate digging and Shazaamnig everything that’s new to them and talking to their friends about it.

[@timvo8311]

The Drummer's timing is incredible how he holds tempo. Truly a human drum machine

[@smileyman7376]

wonderfull band god bless you guys and lady peace

[@mot00rzysta]

so great that bands like this still happen these days

[@chaydesereh1288]

UGH SO WHOLESOME my heart

[@bomagosh]

Love these guys.

[@rael1999]

Well done Mark for persuading Laura she could make it work on the bass. Everyone should find somewhere of expressing themselves through art whether it be music, painting ,writing, acting, dance or whatever. Every journey starts with the first few steps and art is a great way of expressing yourself. And Donald, great drumming in many cases isn't about speed and the technical side, it's about a solid beat and a great groove and believe you me, you've got it Donald lad. Solid clean vibes is what it's all about for me.

[@ookiiani]

love these guys so so so much

[@Aaaronicus]

"i don't want to have to start bringing a laptop on stage man". Fuck yeah. these guys are the realest

[@The_G_in_Jesus]

Random inspiration for passerbys: Soil & Pimp Sessions are dang near 0 listeners on spotify. Super creative japanese jazz centric stuff. Found them and Khruangbin around the same time. These people are wonderful and inspire me to want to better myself rather than redeem myself by some standard.

[@jobird2732]

“Melody, bass, drums, it’s all there” 👌please 🙏🏼 I see these guys live one day ❤️

[@orlvndo]

I’m gonna see them here Houston, can’t wait for next month💕

[@kamillagurl]

Awe, the cow story! So cute! Love this band!

[@remaininginlight]

This was great.

[@falloutgirl902]

Need to see them live.

[@ralph459]

Love them!!!!

[@rapmaster]

A generous interview. Thanks guys!

[@keykiyox]

They are very potent and humble people and I respect Houston Texas for that. They don't come out just of their being but the upbringing helped a lot, for instance, the church. I thought I found a new foundation of my love of music.

[@neilconway8388]

Great band and they seem like some very interesting and nice people. It is nice when organic people make solid, organic music. May they keep it real!!

[@sofianqurashi1652]

These two just love the microphone! It's something they hardly can share.

[@amandadasilva4498]

love your sounds. Thank you :)

[@danielmagnus-3123]

asome! i love this band!

[@robertfrank6742]

WOW! the more i hear and learn about these guys the more respect they earn for just being plain old cool human beings. thanks for sharing.

[@dinkorruskmnaath8124]

Let's make the world funky again!!!

[@ddeafner]

Love this band! Been hip to them since finding their music randomly on Bandcamp back in 2019. Seeing Laura going back and forth trying to figure out who to hand the mic to, reminds me of that scene in Portlandia 😂

[@joana9640]

Hermosa banda

[@LowGMan]

Just discovered ya'll, so chill the music AND the messengers! Thank you and keep doin' what you do!

[@themovemotion]

gotta love you guys, thanks for the great interview.

[@backshotsforthewin2023]

This is great. I approve.

[@brittwilliams40]

y'all definitely bring the funk! love yall