The Dhol Foundation - album launch

The Dhol Foundation at The Lantern at Bristol Beacon

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 the UK 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.

“Johnny Kalsi has done for the Dhol what Jimmy Hendrix did for the guitar” (Eastern Eye)

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.

This show is part of the Asian Art's Agecny's New Sounds Festival, held across various venues in November; find out more on our website asianartsagency.co.uk