Since bursting onto the scene and captivating listeners with their 2015 debut, The Universe Smiles Upon You, three-piece Khruangbin (pronounced krung-bin) have become a breakout success thanks to their world-music influences that stem from places far from the band's Texas roots like Thailand, Spain, Iran, and Ethiopia. With such a global palate, it’s surprising to learn that the band’s multicultural music has all been composed and recorded in a small barn in the 300-person town of Burton, Texas. But being pigeonholed or singled out for any similarities tied to a particular region is the last thing the band wants. Apart from any ethnic comparison, their music is often labeled as soul, funk, psychedelic, or stoner rock — but the truth is, the members of Khruangbin are just playing what they feel, and that seems to vary frequently. Reigning from Houston, guitarist Mark Speer, drummer Donald Ray “DJ” Johnson, and Laura Lee assembled in 2009 after bonding over their musical similarities. In hindsight, perhaps they would have chosen a catchier and more easily pronounceable band name had they predicted their future success. Yet, convention takes a backseat to conviction for the three — especially Lee, who has become the band’s figurehead. Donning a black wig, runway stilettos, elaborate dresses, and chic outfits that are changed multiple times per set, Lee has created a stage persona for herself that differs greatly from her demeanor away from the spotlight. In contrast to the mellow presence of DJ and Speer, Lee's stage persona, "Leezy," commands the audience while dancing and vibing with the music. She's a long way from Lee's offstage demeanor. Leezy’s visual persona matches her sonic role in Khruangbin, whose music is heavily dominated by her bass lines that groove and roll, reminiscent of James Jamerson’s iconic playing on countless Motown classics. Solid in foundation and locked in with DJ’s simple pocket drumming, LL’s focus on rhythm allows Speer to cover a lot of ground on guitar, as his lead work soars with equal parts melodicism and heavy riffing. Preferring her tone to boast more midrange than low end, LL has possessed only one bass since she first started playing in 2009, coinciding with the formation of the band. Her SX Jazz Bass was a gift from Speer, and not only is she proud that she’s never changed its strings, she also smiles while confessing that its buttercream color matches all of her outfits. Fashion aside, the group’s focus of late has been their third album, Mordechai, which was released in June immediately following their collaborative EP with Leon Bridges, Texas Sun [2020]. Building on the sound of their previous two albums, Mordechai touches on the cornerstones of their style while showing musical growth from all three players — even adding lead vocals to their repertoire. LL’s grooves are more commanding than before, with dance-inducing lines on “Time (You and I),” “Pelota,” “So We W