The khene is an ancient bamboo mouth organ associated with Laos but also found across East and Southeast Asia; Sombat Simla, from Isaan in Thailand, is considered one of the greatest living players of this instrument. Simla approaches the khene with the wisdom and skill of a master, yet his playing bursts with joyful curiosity and creativity – as if each new breath escaping through its pipes pries out a new story held deep within this fabled instrument. His playing is animistic, swelling with playful mimicry and expression. Simla's innovative use of the khene inventively reimagines both traditional and popular songs, but also imitates others instruments and non-musical sounds, like those one hears on a journey: shaking trains, traffic crossings, and the many little interruptions and surprises that characterise a vivid life. In 2023, label Black Truffle presented the first album documenting Simla's virtuosic work; listen to this master perform his exquisite music live at Rewire 2026.