Getting to chill with such a laid back and down to earth guy is just one of the benefits of working for DesiClub.com. From British Indian girls, Led Zeppelin, driving in storms, chillin' with Lenny Kravitz to Africa. Its great to experience the company of a person who is capable of such raw talent, Johnny Kalsi has accomplished a great deal in the not just Desi, but global music scene. From having toured with Led Zeppelin to creating an onslaught of Dhol craze all over the world, Johnny gets down and dirty with Saroosh at the Basement Bhangra 5th Anniversary Pre-party chill out.

Saroosh Gull: Have a seat man, relax... get a drink?
Johnny Kalsi: Nah, have some water...

SG: Is this your first time in NYC? How do you like it here?
JK: Nah, been here before. I like it, but I can only stay here like a week. It gets crazy after that man. I've been here a lot. I drove from here to Toronto once, overnight. I just drove there a few weeks ago. All night I drove.

SG: I did the same thing last weekend, haha, its crazy.
JK: Did it storm?

SG: Yeah man, very strong storm, it was hailing, my car was being pushed into different lanes by the storm gods.
JK: Oh man, I've never seen hailing so sick man. Its sick. Its just so close to the water there, I think thats why. Its sick man.

SG: So how do you like our British Indian girls man?
JK: Damn they grow up fast now man. They just have references to Indian culture, its trendy, its hip to be Asian you know.

SG: You think they're losing their roots?
JK: Oh no, I wouldn't go that far man.

SG: When you say they're growing up fast, what do you mean?
JK: SEX man! (laughs)... Sex...

SG: Oh, I'm sure you get your fair share.
JK: What, of sex?

SG: Yes.. of British Indian Girl sex.
JK: No, definitely not. Definitely not British, and definitely not Indian girls.

SG: So do you import them from somewhere else?
JK: (laughs), Thats a good word. I don't do imports.

SG: Pretty straight forward guy?
JK: Extremely straight forward, I'm not bent, I'm not gay, I've got an extremely, lovely, gorgeous, stunning wife.

SG: Oh great you're married. Thats cool. See, they keep that on the down low.
JK: Its difficult being a musician and being married, its difficult having children.

SG: How many children do u have?
JK: Where, in England? (laughs) The ones I know about? (laughs)

SG: How long have you been married?
JK: Twelve years, twelve amazing years man. Seems like yesterday.

"I don't care where you build your appetite, as long as you eat at home!"

SG: How does your wife feel about you being a musician and having access to all of those girls?
JK: I think it has to do with upbringing, a person's personality, and all that stuff. Its all relative to trust. Its scary having everything available to you. Girls, willing to do it, drugs, coming right at you. Its all about being an idol, because they don't know or love you as a person, they just see you as an idol. They just want to touch you and thats it. They don't want to know you.

I would never do anything to ruin my relationship with her. Never, as a father, or anything.

SG: Cool man, enough said. Very decent of you. There are a lot of people here in the US who are still somewhat unfamiliar with The Dhol Foundation or Johnny Kalsi, what would you tell these people, what is the Dhol Foundation all about? What can people expect from you? A message for the people man?
JK: I would say, TAKE THE BLINKERS OFF! I mean thats all I've got to say to them. Those people are extremely, I wouldn't say narrow minded, but they just see whats in front of them. These people, if they're in NYC for example, they've got to be aware of this. I mean the promotion is so heavy around them. Wake up!

I mean when the Dhol Foundation toured with Led Zeppelin, it was just crazy. So for that to happen, I don't know how people would still not know about any of the stuff thats going on.

SG: The Bhangra scene has always been stronger in England, and even Canada than in the US, what do you think is the reason for this?
JK: Its mal-nutrition of Bhangra. Its.... how can I put it. I think the thing here is just a lack of passion for people, or rather lack of will maybe.

SG: Do you know of any hopeful Bhangra artists in America or Canada? Anyone to look out for in your eyes.
JK: DJ Rekha man. Without question. She is the only one, she's putting up her money, she's putting her name up, she's doing it man. Here in the East Coast. She's doing it. But there isn't anyone in the entire United States or Canada doing it.

SG: How familiar are you with Basement Bhangra and DJ Rekha?
JK: I met her in 1996, see, in 1991, I was touring with Trance Global, and we did a gig at SOB's, and she was one of maybe two (Desis) there and she was really into it. She was really for it. She wanted to create that wave, make the Desi crowd here in the East Side grow with it.

SG: What are you currently working on? Which albums or projects, and when can we expect them?
JK: We just finished doing a film actually, which is called Bollywood Queen. Its along the lines of East is East. It should be out this fall. Its about an Indian girl, brought up in England, and you get the idea. Its actually a musical. I play a Dhol player, the hero.

SG: Oh really.... sounds interesting. Hey, have you been approached to work on any Bollywood related projects?
JK: Well, I'll be in Bombay on Monday, so... but thats a whole other thing. I'm actually currently recording in Pink Floyd's old studio, which is real cool man. I do know that Bollywood is watching me though, and I do know that they are influenced a great deal by the Dhol Foundation. Have you noticed the recent emergence of the Dhol and general Punjabi in Bollywood? We've had a great deal of influence on Bollywood. Let's see what happens man.

SG: There is another group that you work with a great deal, can you tell us what the Afro-Celts is?
JK: Its a fusion of Bhangra, African music and Irish music. We're just trying to bring it all together. Read up on it, its a GREAT thing man.

SG: In the entire Music industry, which artist or group would you like to work with the most? I guess what would your dream project be?
JK: Thats a real tough question... but if I had 30 seconds to nail that answer down. I would have to say Lenny Kravitz. I had lunch with him once, and he was such a great guy. Really laid back. It was just me and him on the table, and we're just talking. It was really cool. I love his music work, I love his drummer, I would love to work with him.

SG: What is your opinion of the Western media now using Desi music in its films and commercials, are you pleased with it or does it bother you that they have only now discovered this beautiful culture?
JK: Oh I love it man... its great. Promote the culture.

SG: To the DesiClub.com visitors worldwide, what message would you like to convey regarding your music?
JK: I done this interview once for The Guardian, and the outcome of that interview was the headline:

"What Hendrix did for the Guitar, Johnny Kalsi has done for the Dhol" - I was like god, that gives me a lot of responsibility. I would just say to anyone, whatever they want to do in life, its there man. Sometimes you reach for it, and it moves a little further away. Sometimes you reach for it and something gets in the way. But you just gotta keep reaching. That opportunity is always going to be there. You just have to be the master of your own destiny. You will be able to reach your goals. No matter where you are, you can do it!

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Saroosh an e-mail @ Saroosh Gull.