Shivangi Ambani-Gandhi finds herself grooving to The Dhol Foundation’s pulsating, thundering grooves.
From the very first beat emanating from Johnny Kalsi’s dhol, it is hard to keep yourself still—the rhythm and pace of this thundering drum from Punjab makes for pulsating, rocking music that gets you on your feet. Add to that his energy and enthusiasm on stage in a live performance, and you have a show of unstoppable masti. “We always feed from the energy of the audience and it’s not very hard to sense this even if you’re new to seeing The Dhol Foundation for the first time. You are made to feel a part of the celebration and projected love!” says Britain-based Kalsi. He, with his band, The Dhol Foundation (TDF), will unleash its signature killer brand of electronic bhangra-infused funk to Adelaide for the closing ceremony of the OZ Asia Festival on October 2, 2010.
Kalsi has previously toured all over Australia with other bands, but TDF was last seen in Australia in 2006 when they performed at WOMAD in Adelaide and then in Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games. “This was a very special time and the reception we had from the huge audience at the Sydney Myer Bowl in Melbourne was quite overwhelming,” recollects Kalsi. “No doubt they will bring the same love with them once again.”
Kalsi who calls himself a dholaholic, is self-taught and has been performing professionally since 1989 when he joined the pioneering bhangra band, Alaap. “When I started learning to play the Dhol, it was very difficult not having a studio or sound proof garage to make 106bd of noise,” recollects Kalsi. “But it took off when I found my footing with the all time bhangra legends, Alaap. This made things much easier and I was able to play very regularly and start to develop as an artist and performer.”
Since 1999, Kalsi has recorded two albums by the Dhol Foundation—both quirkily named—Big Drum Small World and Drumstruck. He has also performed with a range of collaborators such as bands like Fun-Da-Mental, Trans-Global Underground and Afro Celt Sound System featuring Sinead O’Connor. Taking the dhol completely mainstream, he has also worked for Hollywood films including the Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York and Ang Lee’s The Incredible Hulk.
Scorsese used Drummers Reel from Kalsi’s debut album in the scene when Leonardo De Caprio throws the bible into the river from a bridge. “This was a very exciting track and gave (the scene) tension and was appropriate for the movie.” For The Incredible Hulk, Kalsi created a specific score for a section of the film. “This was the first ever internet recording I have been involved in. 11 High Bandwidth Internet Lines were connected from Air Studios in London to a film studio in San Francisco,” he says. “On a huge plasma screen the scene was running, while on a smaller screen we could see the reaction of Ang Lee while he watched us via Web cam. We then ran the sequence where David Banners’ girlfriend double crosses him and the army moves in to take him to a secure location. The music sequence started when the helicopters fly in formation over a desert. The voice of Shaheen Badar was added.”
Kalsi has also played for the 3-D IMAX film, Sea Monsters. “I never thought I would be involved in working on a 3D movie but it came about when I got a call from Richard Evens. When I asked what I should bring they said “everything! I was in shock as I had no idea what they wanted at that stage,” says Kalsi. “The session was over 2 days long and I performed all the percussion on the score thatwas produced by Richard & David Rhodes. Dhol Drumming in 6.0 surround sound wicked!”
So what is it about the dhol that makes it popular across such a wide audience? “The dhol is of course very infectious even to the ones that hear it everyday,” he says Kalsi. As for his abiding love for the dhol, it is the sheer power of decibels that gives Kalsi the kick. “As the Dhol is an outdoor instrument it is naturally very loud. Back in the day this drum was used by town criers to relay messages from one village to another. I have had the opportunity to perform alongside a variety of drums from all over the world. The Dhol was by far the loudest. Djembe came close but has no loud low end and a West African talking drum was also close but only when it was miked up. Also the fact that it is worn over the head like a guitar, makes me completely mobile and I can still cover the whole stage while playing.”
Kalsi plays a variety of other instruments, including keyboards, piano, drum kit, frame drums, tabla, darabuka and dholak. However, his loyalty to the dhol is unwavering. “My body and soul are in this drum. I will take it with me when it's my time to go as the dhol is my life, and anyway, I can't play the Harp!” he laughs.
Johnny Kalsi performs with The Dhol Foundation at the Festival Theatre on October 2, 2010, at 7.30pm. For tickets visit: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/ozasia-2010/events/the-dhol-foundation/
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