We present The Dhol Foundation in Berlin's renowned festival, exploring soundsystem and bass culture.
What sets The Dhol Foundation apart from other Dhol groups is their openness and love of experimentation. Charismatic drummer Johnny Kalsi founded the group in 1989 with two aims; on the one hand, he wanted to make the dhol drum world-famous. In India’s Punjab region, where his family come from, this two-sided, deep-sounding drum, often decorated in bright colours, is the musical backbone of many ceremonies and celebrations in the Sikh community.
On the other hand, he wanted to explore its potential and use its sounds in rock, pop, drum and bass, and electronic music. As a member of Transglobal Underground during the 1990s, Kalsi played many major venues, and later joined Afro Celt Sound System, who delighted audiences with their sound that combines dhol, kora, and guitar.
“Johnny Kalsi has done for the Dhol what Jimmy Hendrix did for the guitar” (Eastern Eye)
The Dhol Foundation remains his favourite project: with several dhols, other drums, guitar, bass, and sometimes bhangra dancers, the group serves up a feast of rhythm that also blends in grooves from Brazil, Ireland, Morocco, and West Africa.
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