Dandana (GM)

DANDANA is a collective of musicians from the Netherlands, Senegal and The Gambia. Their sound pays tribute to traditional West African rhythm and grooves, and the love for ambient and synthesizers.

While jamming between power-cuts, Modou Joof and Filly Dioma, the foundation was set for a new sound & musical journey. A sound born out of the traditional West-African Mbalax rhythm and the love for the vintage synthesizers sounds. DANDANA has always been inspired by the “Senegambia” sound, especially by the psych jazz mbalax pioniers of Guelewar, band of Banjul with the great lead singer Moussa Ngom. Mbalax, a style known for it’s fast rhythmic sabars and Yamaha DX7 marimba sounds being backed up by talented guitar wizard Filly. Playing a combo of Malian, Soukous & (Afro) rock inspired sounds, Filly sets his own style.

Together they choose to let go of the past and take a new musical path. They do this by combining traditional instruments from Senegal and The Gambia such as sabar, xalam and balafon with live drums, electronic drum pads and a range of vintage synthesizers. Inspired by West African psychedelic mandingue pioneers Guelewar, Ifang Bondi & Touré Kunda to the synth-driven vibes of bands like Air & Tame Impala.