Khruangbin: The name − pronounced KRUNG-bin− is Thai for airplane. Appropriately, the group’s music often lifts you to a somewhat liminal state, swaying between altitudes and time zones! That’s on purpose, Ochoa, who performs under the name “Leezy” tells me. While advanced music studios have been designed to expertly filter out background noise, that creates the feeling that the music “doesn’t sound like it lives anywhere,” she says. To counteract that effect, Khruangbin records most of their music in a barn that rattles slightly and catches the sounds of nearby wildlife. “I think it just sort of helps that daydream,” she says. “Whether or not the listener actually can tell what it is or is put in the same place that we were, I think it sort of subconsciously or not allows you to daydream to a place.” The Grammy nomination came as a surprise for Ochoa, who says she generally classified the awards as more of a pop-sphere event. The category − best new artist − was also a shock. The group’s inaugural album turned 10 this year. After reading the qualifications though, which describe “new” as also referring to a fresh “breakthrough into the public consciousness,” Ochoa said it was “emotional and inspiring” to feel the group was making an impact. Mark Speer, Laura Lee Ochoa, and DJ Johnson of Khruangbin perform at the Outdoor Theatre during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 21, 2024 in Indio, California. Khruangbin’s newest album, “A LA SALA,” is a dreamy 12-track amble that fuses sometimes ominous bass intros with warmer, groovy melodies to create a sun-soaked sound. Devoid of lyrics (mostly), the pressure to show-not-tell mounts. Ochoa says the group always starts by laying the bass, guitar, and drum track − only adding words if it feels like the song is missing something. “We want to do what the song wants,” she says, likening it to decorating a bedroom. When you walk into the room, you know which way the bed should face, she jokes, the room tells you. Songs are no different. “As the world has advanced the way that it has, it sometimes limits our ability to have imagination,” Ochoa says. “Not telling you everything is entrusting the listener to know the story already and to also know that the story can be different for everyone and that somebody’s own story is so much more powerful than the story I can tell you to have.” Laura Lee Ochoa of Khruangbin performs at the Outdoor Theatre during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 21, 2024 in Indio, California. It’s that same trust in their audience that led
The intriguing power of music in other languages lies in the ability to transcend linguistic barriers, as artist Laura Ochoa of the rising sensation Khruangbin eloquently explains: “You don’t necessarily understand what they’re saying and so it becomes like instrumental music in this way.” The beauty of a human voice resonates deeply with individuals, creating a unique connection beyond words, allowing listeners to craft their own interpretations and narratives while immersing in the melodic tapestry of diverse languages.
Khruangbin’s distinctive blend of international influences and sample-heavy sounds defies conventional genre classifications, with over 6.5 million monthly listeners captivated by their music on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Despite being labeled as “Indie rock” and “alternative,” Ochoa embraces the fluidity of musical genres, reflecting on the innate human tendency to categorize and classify art forms, yet recognizing the limitations of confining creativity within rigid boundaries.
In a playful nod to the challenge of genre labeling, Ochoa humorously references a Yacht Rock documentary featuring iconic bands like Steely Dan and Toto shrugging off restrictive genre tags. With a hint of defiance wrapped in grace, she muses on the possibility of a new genre emerging to encapsulate Khruangbin’s unique sound, envisioning a future where their music transcends labels and speaks for itself. As a Best New Artist nominee, Khruangbin’s music stands as a testament to the universal language of rhythm and melody, proving that lyrics are not always necessary to groove to the soul-stirring tunes of this dynamic trio.
