Jonny Olsen: Laotian Pop Star

When Jonny Olsen, from Southern California, first went to Thailand, he stumbled on a plastic toy khaen, the native instrument that sounds like part harmonica, part reedy accordion. Well, the rest is pop music history… Read about his incredible (ridiculous?) journey, from Valley skateboarder to Laotian pop star. Watch him on the khaen here or see him sing the traditonal morlum Thai and Lao songs.

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M. Rebekah Otto lives in Berkeley, CA. She grew up in Chicago. Her current interests include her new nine-to-five, vintage wallpaper, and Evan S. Connell. Also, she's the former Books Editor of the Rumpus.

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