THE KHANS

"Check out the Khanz now, before everybody else does" said the review and they're not exaggerating. The young band is on the cusp of something, although nobody's sure exactly what, least of all the band themselves. "We're just enjoying making music." says Kat. But the growing numbers being drawn in tells a different story.

The Khanz’ sixth single, “Falling Apart”, was released on 25 September 2013 and is about how we can't let go of things that have the potential to destroy us - even after they do. We'd rather fall apart than remove the source of the problem.

The video “Falling Apart – Girl’s life falls apart over 8 years, a stop-motion tragedy in 4 minutes” was the third made for the band by Ben Cox and Judith Joan Walker. Featuring rising BBC star, Amy Wren, the video has been viewed 35,000 times on YouTube and 5,000 times on Facebook.

The band’s fifth single, “Roll Around”, was released on 24 July 2013. A tale of grappling with life's slings and arrows, and not always succeeding. Love, drugs and sex are called to account for the highs and lows they bring to a young person's life and the myriad of complex issues they raise. Trying to sort it all out in the heat of the moment can lead to regrets later on, but responding spontaneously can have its upside as well.

The release continues the band's track record of songs that do not flinch from taking aim at the more tangled issues that young people face, yet doing so in a spirit of exuberance and joy at being alive.

The Khanz’ fourth single, “Hope You’re Not Far”, released on 16 December 2012, is a story of unrequited love.

The Khanz’ third single. "Wolves", was launched at FBi Radio's 9th Birthday Party on 31 August 2012, where they were one of five bands chosen to play the main stage and broadcast live to air. The single immediately scored high rotation on FBi Radio and was distributed by AMRAP and AitIt with the sought-after “FBi Recommends” endorsement.

“Wolves” is the tale of what happens when a group of friends disperse and go their separate ways.

“Prescription Culture”, the band’s second single, released on 10 February 2012, focused on the drugs being given to kids in order to control their behaviour. “Kids are being turned into junkies by their own parents. And it’s not for the kids’ benefit. It’s to make the parents feel better.”

“Prescription Culture” scored another B rotation for the band on FBi Radio, was play-listed by Triple J Unearthed and had its video on rotation on rage.
The two singles were featured on the band’s second EP, “Natural Instinct”, released on 14 April 2012. which also featured three new tracks, all of which have won radio play.

The release of “Natural Instinct” saw the band get a higher profile and a series of gigs supporting bigger acts. The Khanz have built a reputation as a great support act as after they warmed up audiences for San Cisco, Faker, Bluejuice, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Sticky Fingers, Dappled Cities, Catcall, Guineafowl, Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!, Founds and Set Sail.

A personnel change in April 2011, when multi-instrumentalist, Kat, joined the band has led to a new direction. The first fruits of this were in the new single “Lost Control” which the band hopes will allow a wider audience to groove to the infectious sounds.

“Lost Control” is an intensely personal song about a relationship that Themba wrote in one all-night session in May 2011. It was play-listed on a B rotation on Sydney’s FBi Radio while General Pants' Major Label picked it up as the first release under the Bubble program.

The Khanz had begun when a bunch of mates, fresh out of school, started jamming in Themba’s bedroom in April 2009. They had their first gig at the Newtown RSL in Sydney on 13th July 2009.

Since then, they’ve been adapting and perfecting a unique blend of indie, electro and jungle to a lively and growing fan base at a string of sweaty shows at the Hopetoun, Spectrum, Q-Bar, the Annandale, HOME and the Oxford Art Factory.

The first set of gigs was enough to score them a residency at the Oxford Art Factory’s Gallery Bar. By the fourth and last week of the residency, the Gallery Bar was packed and humming.

The Oxford Art Factory residency also attracted the attention of Church legend and indie producer, Tim Powles, who pitched up at one of the weekly gigs. Tim liked what he heard and offered to produce the band.

The first recording was a five-track EP, “Triggers”, which showcased the band’s early history.

Prolific writers and forever exploring new sounds, the Khanz surprise their fans with new material at every gig. This has produced a huge catalogue of original songs.

“Breaking down boundaries” is what the band says when you ask them what they’re about.

“Musical boundaries suck”, says singer Themba. “Music is just about playing and dancing and having fun together. That’s how it started. And that’s how it still is in Africa and South America. Sometimes, in all that commercial, competitive side of things, we lose that. And we want to keep that kind of community feeling alive. You know, life can be tough, let’s party.”

The band is planning a long time on the road. "Take the music to the people," says Kat.

No argument there.