The Dhol Foundation - album launch

An album launch by The Dhol Foundation, a UK group built around the dhol drum, staged at The Lantern at Bristol Beacon as part of the Asian Arts Agency's New Sounds Festival.

The Dhol Foundation was formed in the UK in 1989 by drummer Johnny Kalsi, with two aims: to bring the dhol to a far wider audience, and to explore what its sound can do in other musical settings. The dhol is a double-headed drum from the Punjab region of India, often decorated in bright colours, that sets the rhythm for ceremonies and celebrations in the Sikh community. The group's approach is open and experimental, taking the instrument into rock and pop, into drum and bass, and into electronic music.

Kalsi played with Transglobal Underground during the 1990s and later joined Afro Celt Sound System, whose music combines dhol, kora and guitar. This evening marks the launch of a new album by The Dhol Foundation, and the performance is a chance to hear the group's current work in a concert setting.

The Lantern at Bristol Beacon is a venue in Bristol that hosts concerts and shows. The launch is part of the New Sounds Festival, run by the Asian Arts Agency and held across several venues, which presents music rooted in Asian traditions alongside contemporary styles.